The UK’s largest LGBT arts and culture festival, Camden & Islington LGBT History Month, culminates in spectacular fashion with gala celebration Queeropolis this weekend. Host Lanah Pillay welcomes special guests including 80s chart topper Sonia, Adam Ant’s bassist David Ryder Prangley and TV’s Mary Portas before a night of dancing gets underway. Camden LGBT Forum Director, Nigel Harris, explains more.
Hi Nigel, how many years has Queeropolis been going?
We have coordinated Camden and Islington LGBT History Month for 12 years and have always had a gala event. It’s different every year and depends on the theme of the month. As this year’s theme is ‘citizenship and law’ we came up with Queeropolis.
And how would you summarise the night for those who have never been?
Laid back and frolic-ridden. Guests always say how they feel a sense of community at our galas. This spirit is heightened with the top rate entertainment on offer.
Tickets are very affordable at £5 in advance from the website – will entry be more on the door?
We always want our gala to be as accessible as possible. We won’t charge more on the door but any extra donations will be very gratefully received.
The night will encourage dancing too, right? Who are the DJs? And what kind of music will be played?
Dancing at our galas is always fun, especially when people dress up – this year’s dress code is ‘civic’ – law enforcement and politician of the past, for example – but anything goes. Our DJs this year are Jason Prince and Alexander Price who will play an eclectic mix of pop from Bowie to Beyoncé.
Finally, as this is the gala celebration for Camden and Islington LGBT Forum’s History Month, what do you hope guests take away from coming to this event?
I hope that guests will meet someone new and share their own histories with each other. Our community needs to maintain its sense of identity and to fight any oppression that may come our way. Of course, we encourage our straight allies to come too!
Queeropolis is on Saturday 25 February, 7pm – 11pm, at Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London, WC1R 4RL.
Book tickets in advance via queeropolis.eventbrite.co.uk.
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