Queercircle

QUEERCIRCLE is a LGBTQ+ led charity working at the intersection of arts, health and social action.
We believe in the radical potential of the arts for individual, collective and societal transformation. We are both a platform championing LGBTQ+ artists, and an ecology of individuals and organisations committed to creating systemic change for LGBTQ+ people.

Since opening our first physical space in North Greenwich in June 2022, we’ve allowed ourselves to lean into the messiness of the unknown; to experiment, with form and processes. Doing so has enabled us to be flexible and adaptive to our learning; and when necessary, fight back with agility against an increasingly hostile environment.

As an “organisation-in-process” we have been shaped by the generosity of our partners, and the rich lived and creative experiences of our communities. Our values have sharpened, key pillars of work have begun to form, and our role within a wider ecology of partners has come to light.
CORE PILLARS OF WORK
- Convene
  
  We believe arts, culture and health to be a collective endeavour. Within a hostile environment, braver spaces are needed to come together and feel a sense of belonging. Our spaces enable us to convene our diverse communities through focused activities alongside less formal spaces to create, rest and play.
- CREATE
  
  We believe in the radical and transformative potential of the arts for individual, collective and societal transformation. Through creative programmes we elevate the voices of LGBTQ+ people and foster opportunities to connect inwards (with ourselves), collaborate (with others) and outwards (with the world).
- KNOWLEDGE
  
  We champion our communities’ lived experience and knowledge - whether that be somatic, creative and/or intellectual - to generate and share new forms of knowledge as a process of communal learning and collective empowerment.
- Infrastructure
  
  We adapt in relation to those around us, our communities and wider social institutions and structures. We fill the gaps and advocate for systemic change through creative programmes and research where other institutions (government, arts, health and education) fail or actively perpetuate harm.
KEY PROGRAMMES