Spirit Level Celebrates Black History Month
Spirit Level is organising a program of events exploring culture, ethnicity and gender identity for Black History Month in October. These include:
LGBTQ Book Club meeting Upstairs in Caffe Nero on Bold Street, 1pm-2.30pm on Sunday 12th and 19th October. The first book we will be reading and discussing is Travis Alabanza’s None of The Above (books will be provided) and Travis has agreed to provide a pre-recorded interview which will screen at Central Library on 25th October (TBC). Attending the book club is free but please book a place via Eventbrite if interested
Rhyme, Rap & Dance, 11th October, 7pm-10pm, Three of the best UK-based black and queer poets – Angela Burnell, Laju and Lola/LT join rapper MC Sanity for a night of fantastic entertainment for Black History Month. Tickets just £10 or 241 from Eventbrite, all proceeds to the cause of trans+ equality and solidarity. Brought to you by Spirit Level and the KoKo Collective
Lola
LT, is a nigerian-born trans poet, writer and spoken word artist. Although his poetry style ranges, he draws alot of inspiration from his lived-experiences and his poetry is always centred around the things that currently inspire him at the time of writing. He took a break to work on his other passions after having his poetry published as part of an anthology but now he’s back to delivering more thought-provoking pieces!
Angela Burnell
Nigerian born, Irish bred, Multi passionate, disabled, Queer, woman! Angela Burnell is all these and more! Angela uses her life experience garnered in these othered identities, her vulnerability in broaching “taboo” subjects, and her wealth of knowledge to skillfully weave powerful poetry together. Her poetry touches on a variety of subject matter such as Marriage, loss, grief, motherhood, rage, sex, abuse, divorce, Bdsm and more. Using Vivid imagery, her voice soothes, confronts, grips and challenges her listeners.
Laju is a poet whose work explores identity, belonging, and the everyday moments that shape us. Her poetry is rooted in curiosity, reflection, and a deep love for language’s ability to connect people. She brings a voice that is both thoughtful and playful, inviting audiences to pause, listen, and feel.
Film Screenings For Black History Month
Films on 9th October (Rafiki), 16th October (The Watermelon Woman) and 30th October (I Am Samuel). All films will be screened at Lovelocks Coffee Shop, Old Haymarket, Liverpool at 6pm. Tickets just £5 (no booking fee) from Eventbrite. Films suggested by Black Girl Watching, brought to you by Spirit Level and KoKo Collective
Finally Claire Beerjeraz, is a freelance Writer, Visual Artist, Workshop Facilitator, Performer, Director and Creative Therapist. She/They will conduct a workshop exploring the intersections of ethnicity, culture, gender identity and sexuality, date and times TBC
11th November 2024 – Start of a six week Mindfulness for Survivors program with Ginny Wall costing just £10. Get your tickets on Eventbrite
20th November 2024 – Transgender Day of Remembrance Celebration, Lovelocks, Liverpool with poets and performers. Get your tickets on Eventbrite
3rd March 2025 – Drag: Behind The Paint. A candid exploration of the lives and attitudes of five of Liverpool’s drag performers as you’ve never seen them: Behind The Paint. Tickets £5 via Eventbrite
A Trans Town Hall for all trans+, non-binary and queer people to review progress with the project, suggest improvements and plan new projects and activities. It’s free but book a place via Eventbrite
22nd March, Out Of The Shadows Project ReBoot, 5pm-7pm, Lovelocks Coffee Shop, Old Haymarket, Liverpool
27th March 2025 – Queer Verses. An evening of poetry and spoken word from Liverpool’s trans and non-binary writers. Tickets are free but please book your place via Eventbrite
30th March – Museum of Liverpool
11am-12pm – Talk from a celebrant about the marriage game
12pm-2pm – Felix Mufti leads a poetry and spoken word workshop
2pm-3pm – Trans Stories
4pm – Intro to bouldering and climbing at The Climbing Hangar, £5, tickets from Eventbrite
29th March – Museum of Liverpool
11-12pm, a talk on the history of treatment for transgender and non-binary people
12pm-2pm – Banner-Making with Sophie Green
2pm-3pm – Speeches and a Q&A with Dr Adrian Harrop
29th and 30th March – In The Atrium: Stalls, Makers Market, Music and Face-Painting
29th-30th March 2025 – Transgender Day of Visibility
April 24th 2025 – Film Screening, Stage Mother
As part of the Out Of The Shadows project, we are organising an ambitious program of monthly LGBTQIA+ films to be screened in Lovelocks Coffee Shop, Old Haymarket, Liverpool. The programme kicks off with Stage Mother, the light-hearted story of a church choir director who inherits a drag club from her gay son (April 24th), followed by Boys Don’t Cry (May 29th) and The Queen of Ireland (June 19th).
15th & 18th June 2025, Documentary Film, Navy Bar, Stanley Street, Liverpool
Showing Eldorado: Everything The Nazis Hate, a documentary about a famous gay cabaret in 1930s Berlin and its struggle to survive intolerance and persecution. Tickets from Eventbrite, £3, 2 tickets for £5, £5 on the door
15th-17th October 2024 – YPAS, Liverpool. Intergenerational Stories
A chilled afternoon of coffee and chat for the whole LGBTQ community and friends, with thanks to Linda Gold
8th June 2025, Queer Coffee Social, Navy Bar, Stanley Street, Liverpool. 1pm-3pm
23rd July 2025, 8pm, Drag Behind The Paint 2, Navy 2.1, Stanley Street, Liverpool
Join us for an exclusive panel event led by local writer, speaker, and activist Scarlett Rose, as we dive into the lives, inspirations, and journeys of Liverpool’s drag performers. Discover their motivations, experiences, and perspectives on drag, performance, and breaking gender boundaries. Expect heartfelt stories, bold conversations, and an unforgettable evening.
11th September 2025, 6pm, Community Voices, Lovelock’s Coffee Shop, Old Haymarket, Liverpool
Come join us for a night of inspiration at Lovelocks! In a time when we are being silenced, come along to listen to stories from members of our beautiful Trans community. We talk about everything from childhood, gender exploration, the current political climate and so much more. Come along and support your trans siblings. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/oots-presents-community-voices-tickets-1480973183659
11th October 2024 – International Coming Out Day, Navy Bar, Liverpool. Ten Coming Out Stories with a gender-diverse panel,
14th September 2024 – Trans Writing Workshop. What makes an interesting transgender/gender-diverse character? How do we avoid the stereotypes mainstream media present us with?
14th September 2024 – Intergenerational Mixer, Ma Boyle’s Liverpool discussing. ‘The Dating Game: Transgender Relationships’
24th August 2024 – Trans Town Hall – The Future of Trans
10th August 2024 – Trans-Themed Comic-Making Workshops. Express yourself with images and words in this fun set of five workshops