Nottingham is a great place to go out. Although the city has a thriving LGBT+ community, it can feel impossible to find. So here are a few pointers about coming out in Notts…
1) Gay things are actually happening
There are still bars, clubs and venues offering gay nights in the city, but finding what nights and where can sometimes be tricky. The usual suspects offering events including Rough Trade (Drag Bingo), Albert’s, The Glee Club, Nottingham Contemporary and Rescue Rooms have all been known to host an evening or two. There’s also a new lesbian club night, Juice, at Federation House.
The best way to find these events? Follow the event pages on Facebook, join LGBT+ groups, and check out Queer Bulletin Nottingham.
Aside from the club nights, Nottingham currently has an exhibition on LGBT+ Lost identities due to close in March this year at National Justice Museum. The city also has Five Leaves Bookshop who run excellent events, poetry nights and talks often with LGBT+ topics. Not to mention there is now also a same-sex Latin dance class on offer in Hockley and the occasional gay speed dating events at the Ugly Bread Bakery.
LGBT-friendly pubs and bars? Check out New Foresters, Propaganda, and The Lord Roberts pub.
2) Nottingham has some amazing drag
There are some fantastic queens in this city. The Glee Club have hosted the fabulous ladies of Ru Paul’s Drag Race in the past, with Adore Delano arriving in April. DirtyFilthySexy are ones to watch out for with their regular events at Albert's. Nana and Marilyn Sane also host Drag Bingo in Rough Trade monthly. The next ones are on Thursday 24 January, and Tuesday 19 February. Also worth a mention are the Scream Queenz of Comedy who perform drag and comedy gigs in the city.
Over the next few weeks, poetry publishers Big White Shed are teaming up with Unnamed Drag Productions to bring a live performance, talk, Q&A and a drag makeup workshop to Design Junction.
3) There is help when you need it
The support services in Nottingham are plentiful. Depending on your age, sexuality, interests, gender then you can find something to help with coming out, transitioning or life in general. Notts LGBT+ Network has a full list of links and can help place you in touch with someone who can help.
4) Nottinghamshire Pride is proper
Nottinghamshire Pride normally takes place in July. A one-day affair, it mostly takes place in Hockley with a huge parade starting in the city in the morning. There’s no shortage of events, stalls, rainbows, people and floats to help you celebrate.
5) Join a group
Social media plays a massive part in finding, meeting and hanging out with like minded LGBT+ people. There are groups for everything from Nottingham Hiking Dykes, Derby and Nottingham LGBT Social Group and Nottingham LGBT 20s and 30s who are all worth joining. Don’t be shy – get involved!
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
