Heritage Project Launch

3rd February The Kite Trust is delighted to invite you to the launch of our new exhibition, It Takes Time To Grow, which will be touring the county’s museums in 2025. The exhibition documents 50 years of queer history across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. From the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967, through to the expansion of local Pride events across the county in the 2020s, join us to explore the growth of the local LGBTQ+ community over the last half century. The launch event is taking place at the Fitzwilliam Museum (Trumpington Street, Cambridge) on Monday 3rd February, 2-4pm. Refreshments will be provided. The museum is closed on Mondays, so entry will be via the back of the building. See map below. Go to the automated gate by Grove Lodge and press the buzzer (smaller yellow circle on the map). The entrance is shown by the larger yellow circle. Please email [email protected] for more information

Cambridge Libraries Events

Various Dates Free Cambridge Central Library is hosting a series of events across the month that are all free to attend! Events include: Queer Café Board Games Socials Queer Story Time Online LGBTQ+ History in Cambridge lecture To find out more about all of these events, visit their Eventbrite collection below

The Guide to LGBTQ+ Research: Book launch celebration

5th February The queerest pub in town, The Cambridge Blue Moon, is hosting a charity pub Join us for the launch of the Guide to LGBTQ+ Research. Co-authored by Dr Adam Brett and Professor Catherine Lee MBE, this book is a testament to the power of community and collaboration in the field of LGBTQ+ research. Hear inspiring personal narratives from some of the 37 contributors who offer emotional encouragement, practical advice, and theoretical insights for anyone engaged in LGBTQ+ research at any level. Structured like a thesis, the book is designed to be a network of support in written form. It provides readers with encouragement from the initial stages of research right through to life after your studies and is an accessible new publication that will be vital for anyone researching the LGBTQ+ community.

WALK: East of England – Celebrating Octavia Hill At Wicken Fen for LGBT History Month

8th February Free This 4.8 mile walk will explore Adventurer’s Fen – part of wider Wicken Fen Nature Reserve. It’s a flat walk at a gentle pace with time for lunch part way through the route and an optional visit to the National Trust cafe at the end. This walk takes place in LGBT History Month and celebrates one of the notable figures for this year: Octavia Hill. Octavia Hill was instrumental in the founding of the National Trust and Wicken Fen was the first reserve cared for by the National Trust, with 2 acres of the site first acquired in 1899. This event is for plus size people only to create a safe and inclusive space. We do not set a size restriction on this, but if you are smaller than a size 18 we would ask you to consider if there might be other groups that you could attend.

Cambridge Blue Moon Pub Quiz (SOLD OUT)

9th February The queerest pub in town, The Cambridge Blue Moon, is hosting a charity pub quiz for us! Tickets are £2 and can either be purchased on our eventbrite or on the door. Please know this event is now at capacity

Beyond the Binary: Inclusive Healthcare for LGBTQIA+ People

12th February Free This lecture explores the intersection of healthcare and the LGBTQIA+ community, focusing on the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals in accessing equitable care. Topics include: Addressing health disparities and barriers to care The importance of cultural competency among healthcare providers Mental health, minority stress, and supportive interventions Inclusive policies and practices for fostering trust and equity in healthcare settings. The session aims to empower healthcare professionals to advocate for inclusivity and improve health outcomes for LGBTQIA+ populations.

Making Change for Trans Youth in Policy and Politics Workshop

12th February Join The Kite Trust Team for this workshop where we’ll dive into the world of policy and politics to advocate for trans youth! Join us for an engaging session where we’ll learn about local politics, discuss advice from Claire Mascarenas of St. Neots & Alison Whelan of Ely North, and discuss whats important for trans+ youth in the upcoming local elections. Whether you’re a seasoned activist or just curious, this workshop is for you. This interactive workshop will help you learn new skills, local knowledge and directly shape the work we do at The Kite Trust to advocate for the rights and priorities of trans youth. Join TKT for this workshop on on lobbying and making change in policy and politics! Service Users only- Please check your emails for the eventbrite link

Bridging Binaries tour: LGBQT+ History of Sci ence at Whipple Museum

15th February Free- various times across the day Our Bridging Binaries LGBTQ+ Tours explore the spectrum of identities that exist across time, place and culture in the University of Cambridge Museums. Since 2018, the Bridging Binaries team of volunteer guides have been sharing their personal selection of fascinating stories about gender and sexual identity through a range of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer-related objects from across our Museums. How do labels and categories affect the stories we choose to tell, or how we connect with each other? How do they affect our interaction with the natural world, and how we imagine the future? Each tour is unique as specially trained volunteer tour guides put their own personal spin on their tour.

LGBTQ+ Heritage Project- Podcast Sessions

15th and 16th February Free Join The Kite Trust for this exciting workshop where we will create a podcast as part of our LGBTQ+ Heritage Project! This session is open to Kite Trust service users of all ages. Under 13s must be accompanied by an adult. In this session, you will: -Learn how to create and record a podcast (supported by experts from Noise Solution). -Help us record content about queer history for our heritage project. -Get an early look at our LGBTQ+ Heritage exhibition before it goes on tour around the counties’ museums. -Meet some of the people who were involved in a heritage project film The Kite Trust created 10 years ago. The workshop is the same on both days, so you only need to attend one day. Email [email protected] for more information

Queers on Cue

21st February Free Queers on Cue:  Are You Proud? (2019) Documentary Film Screening + Workshop 7pm – 9:30pm Angle Entertainment, 939 Lincoln Road Walton PE4 6AF Free Let’s be honest, times are feeling uncertain and alarming for LGBTQIA+ folks. It’s times like these when it’s important to celebrate the achievements we’ve accomplished and know that change is possible, and that we aren’t going anywhere 🌈 To mark LGBT+ History Month, Queers on Cue is screening the documentary ‘Are You Proud?’ at Angle Gaming Lounge on Friday 21 February from 7pm. The film brings together rare archive footage and interviews from across a spectrum of historical campaigns to celebrate the movement’s landmark achievements in the UK. If you’ve ever been curious about our history as a community and want to be inspired about changing the future, come join us for this relaxed screening. After the film we’ll be joined by designer, youth worker and creative Fi Cifaldi for a badge and patch making session. Whether it’s making a patch demanding safety and rights for trans folks, or creating a unique badge expressing your truth, there will be a range of materials to cut, paint, and make. A great chance to talk about the themes and messages of the film, whilst harnessing collective action during LGBT+ History Month. The screening is free but folks must be aged 15+. To book your spot click the link below. A big thank you to Gateway Film Festival for providing a fantastic documentary ✨🎥

Drag Brunch

February 22nd Come on down and get your socks blown off by our brilliant drag acts and performances, while having a bite to eat! Feeling brave? You can even join in on karaoke and show everyone just how slay you are at singing! As well as having a great day out, you will be raising funds for The Kite Trust. Book in advance and join us for as long as you want. There are a limited number of pay-what-you-feel tickets, if the priced tickets are not affordable for you. Tickets will also be available on the door for £10.

Movie Night with TKT Youth Panel

Enjoy some popcorn, a hot chocolate and more at this fun evening. As well as having a great evening out, you will be raising funds for The Kite Trust. Please email [email protected] for more information

LGBTQ+ Forum

25th February Free In 2024, The Kite Trust proudly took over of the Cambridgeshire LGBTQ+ Forum, ushering in an exciting new chapter for the community! This is a chance for you to come together with the rest of the community to share ideas and find out about events happening across the year. Topics will include: A post-LGBTQ+ History Month discussion: an opportunity for our community to come together, share highlights from the month’s events, and celebrate the vibrant LGBTQ+ community in Cambridge and Cambridgeshire. Please email us at [email protected] for more information and how to secure your free ticket

Queers in Shorts Film Night

27th February Free Experience an evening of captivating and diverse LGBTQ+ short films in a warm and inclusive atmosphere. Free entry—no booking required! Just show up, grab a drink at the bar, and enjoy the films. 📍 Cambridge Arts Picturehouse bar

Civic responsibility & engagement with the LGBTQ+ community

27th February Free This event is designed to showcase and celebrate how universities are already engaging with their local communities on LGBTQ+ issues, as well as to bring together the panel and audience to further explore how universities can enhance this vital work. 18:00-19:30 Panel event 19:30-20:30 Networking and light refreshments This event will be of interest to people from the following areas: Funding Clinics, Community Projects & Research (Health, Employment, Housing etc.) Sharing spaces and expertise with local organisations (Police, HEIs, Schools/Colleges, Corporate organisations/LGBTQ+ Professional Network) Procurement and supporting social enterprises/voluntary groups Call for Speakers: Community Engagement and University Initiatives We are excited to invite potential speakers from Higher Education institutions, and the wider communities of Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, and Essex. We welcome volunteers who are passionate about sharing their insights and experiences at this event. The deadline for speakers to get in touch with [email protected] is Friday 31 January.

Pride in Nature: LGBTQ+ Bridging Binaries Tour at the Museum of Zoology

Multiple Dates Across February Free- various times across the day ‘Animals don’t do sexual identity; they just do sex.’ From same-sex sexual behaviour in giraffes and penguins to the scientists working in the field of zoology. How do the labels and categories we give animals affect the way we interact with the natural world? Our volunteer guides share their personal selection of fascinating stories about gender and sex in the animal world at the Museum of Zoology.

The Kite Trust LGBTQ+ Groups

A reminder that all of our usual groups for our service users are running this month with an extra special LGBTQ+ History Month twist. Make sure to check your newsletters for details! Want to become part of TKT? drop us an email at [email protected] to find out more about our youth groups that we host all across the county!