‘We need more queer spaces’ - Inside the festive event aiming to bring the community together this Christmas

As a sad statistic revealed that six in 10 London LGBTQIA+ venues have closed since 2006, we talk to the founder of a queer-led events brand, which is aiming to uplift and support people across the community.

Nick McCluskey’s SISSIES brand is gearing up to host a festive event at Ballie Ballerson, in Shoreditch, London, on December 11.

On the night, guests can enjoy DJs TeTe Bang and Raul Botella on the decks as well as dancers from Homoparody.

“Queer safe spaces are disappearing,” Nick said.

“Whilst queer hospitality venues close down the population of queer people continues to increase. 

“We need more queer spaces, there are simply not enough for the community.” 

Nick is throwing the event in London this week. Adam Billings Photography.

There needs to be more places for LGBTQIA+ individuals to be unapologetically themselves, Nick said, as he plays a part in the ongoing fight to help keep these spaces open and thriving.

“It is a dangerous time to be queer at the moment,” he continued. 

“Friends of mine are getting mugged, it feels like every other day I see messages of people I know being subjected to hate crimes - especially those in the Trans community.”

He hopes that events such as his will keep the queer community uplifted and give them a safe place to have fun. 

There will be a welcoming atmosphere at the event.  Adam Billings Photography.

SISSIES was named with reclamation in mind, turning a word previously used as a slur on its head.

And while Nick was expecting more pushback at the name of his brand, he was thrilled to find support not only from the queer community. 

He added: “Whoever you are, whoever you want to be, you are welcome at SISSIES. 

“Whether you are a feminine man, a masculine woman or a non-binary babe.”

Christmas is not always an easy time for those of us in the queer community. 

Relationships with biological family members are often strained and we instead lean on our chosen family - a struggle Nick knows well.

“I don’t talk to my biological family. I left when I was 15 and never went back,” Nick revealed.

“So I had to pick my chosen family quite young.

“I still don’t know where I will be spending Christmas this year - which chosen family I will spend it with.” 

Knowing this is a reality which impacts many in the queer community, Nick was keen to partner with a charity which specifically helps LGBTQIA+ people during the festive period. 

Stonewall Housing will be the beneficiary of the event’s fundraising efforts - a £250 raffle will go towards helping the charity’s work in supporting queer individuals facing homelessness. 

For more information about the event you can visit their website or find them on Insta @sissies.party.

Icon of the Week

This week, we put the OG Disney diva in the spotlight, ahead of her 40th birthday!

If you were part of the Disney Channel generation you will remember the catchy intro music that could only mean one thing: That’s So Raven was about to start.

Raven-Symone was one of my favourite Disney stars and back in 2013, years after her time dazzling us in Cheetah Girls, she told the world who she was.

Whether you love her for her unapologetic personality and camp humor, Raven is an icon for standing up and representing the Black queer community.

For years, she has been a fierce defender and advocate for queer rights, publicly opposing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation like Florida's ‘Don't Say Gay’ bill.

How she has embodied confidence, self expression and positivity makes her a legend in my eyes - and, I’m sure, for many fellow fans around the world.

Culture Corner

Book review: The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson 

As we get closer to winter and the weather gets colder I always return to the genre of fantasy. 

I want to be enveloped by a magical world during the darker months - I want authors to whisk me away from the English drearyness into something whimsical and cosy. 

Which is exactly the vibe that The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson gave me. 

It is rare that I give a book a full five-star rating but this book was incredible - full of twists I could not predict, loveable characters and a truly unique magic system that I am still thinking about weeks after finishing the novel. 

I was influenced to read this book after seeing so many positive reviews on TikTok.

You have to be wary of BookTok recommendations, I have been burned by one-too-many awful Romantasy picks that litter the platform. 

But I was delighted by this novel - the main character Neema Kra is smart, quick witted and a joy to follow on her journey. 

Both Neema and her love interest in the book are somewhere on the bisexual or pansexual spectrum. It is not expressly written or explained, but both characters talk of previous romantic and sexual experiences with both genders. 

I love how casually their sexuality is expressed - it is not a defining characteristic or plot line but it is noted on multiple occasions that Neema and Cain are not straight. 

The Raven Scholar is first and foremost an epic fantasy - the character's sexuality has almost nothing to do with the story line. But representation is important and highly welcomed - I have spent many years reading fantasy and sci-fi with straight cos-male leads. 

Don’t get me wrong there are plenty of examples where this is done brilliantly but I think we can all agree that the market is oversaturated. That’swhy The Raven Scholar was such a breath of fresh air. 

If you are looking for a meaty fantasy to sink your teeth into this winter then I would highly recommend this book. 

Our score? Five stars out of five.

That's all this week

Do you have a hot take you’d like to share? Is there something you’re dying to shout about? Let us know! We would love to hear from our community of lovely, like-minded folk.

Speak to you next time,

Laura and Liv

laura.andrew@nationalworld.com

olivia.preston@nationalworld.com