women@lgbt.foundation
Returning for its 19th edition to celebrate the start of International Women’s Week, Sugar & Spice is a cornerstone of LGBT Foundation’s annual calendar of events for queer and LGBTQ+ women. This year’s event will include some drop-in spaces such as our Community Cafe takeover from 12-4pm (open to all), alongside an exciting line-up of bookable workshops for LGBTQ+ women and non-binary people who wish to access a women-centred space.
“Sugar and Spice is more than just an annual event; it’s a testament to the strength and resilience of queer women. This festival has been a powerful showcase of their diverse voices and experiences here in Manchester. It is without a doubt one of my favourite moments of the year; I hope you’ll join us in celebrating all the fabulous women in our lives and revel in the joy of being queer!” Jax Effiong (She/Her), Chair of LGBT Foundation’s Board of Trustees
Drop-in activities:
Community Café: Sugar & Spice Takeover 12-4pm
We will provide a warm, welcoming and friendly space for you to come together, and have a brew. Open to all members of the LGBTQ+ community.
In the cafe all afternoon a creative activity will mark the theme of “accelerating action” around the rights of LGBTQ+ women.
LGBTQ+ Women Connect: Find Your Community 12.15-1.15pm
Call into our Sofa Room at any point across the hour to find out about activities and groups for LGBTQ+ women across the area, and to pin your own recommendations to our Manchester map. After 1.15pm the map with your suggestions will be displayed in the main Community Cafe space for the rest of the afternoon.
This session will be led by Ames Telfer (they/them), facilitator for LGBT Foundation’s monthly Women’s Group and a freelance mixed media artist working around arts, youth and LGBTQ+ communities.
Drop in STI testing & Sexual Wellbeing Support – 12-4.30pm
The Sexual Health Team will be providing free STI & HIV testing throughout Sugar & Spice. Got questions about Cervical Screening? PrEP? Contraception? Come and have a chat with the team to find out what support and resources are available for you!
Workshops for LGBTQ+ Women (limited spaces – booking required, free or with donation):
The following workshops are for LGBTQ+ women and non-binary people who wish to access a women centred space. You must be aged 18+ to attend.
Please select a ticket for the session(s) you wish to attend at the eventbrite checkout. To keep this event is accessible to all, the event is free, with a suggested donation of £5- £10 at checkout and there is also the opportunity to make a donation at the event. To ensure our space is welcoming and inclusive, we require everyone to follow our Safer Spaces Policy.
12.15-1.15pm Lavender Lines – LGBTQ+ Women’s Writing Workshop
Lavender Lines is a brand new poetry workshop designed for LGBTQ+ women to celebrate their identities through writing. In this session we’ll be reading and responding to a range of poems by LGBTQ+ women writers, exploring themes of joy, platonic and romantic love, desire, community, queer history and friendship. Expect gay mood boards, brilliant writing prompts and to come away with the beginnings of some new sapphic poems.
This workshop will be led by Manchester based poet Amy L. King (she/her). Amy won the Derby Poetry Festival Prize (2023) and has been published in Ink Sweat & Tears, Under the Radar and Dust poetry magazine.
1.30-2.30pm Let’s Get on PrEP! – Sexual Health workshop for LGBTQ+ Women
What are the benefits of PrEP and why is this drug so important for the LGBT community?
This workshop explores the benefits of PrEP, guiding individuals through the different options available to them. We’ll challenge some of the stigma and assumptions surrounding PrEP, exploring how this has impacted on availability and individual access. The session will explore who might want to use PrEP and why this revolutionary tool is a brilliant option for so many in our community.
This workshop will be led by LGBT Foundation’s Sexual Health Team.
2.45-3.45pm Trans and Non-Binary Workshop
This workshop is for trans women, trans fems, trans feminine people, and any non-binary people wishing to access a trans women centred space, aged 18+.
3.30-4.30pm Air Dry Clay Workshop
Join us to get creative at our air dry clay workshop celebrating what LGBTQ+ hope and joy means to you.
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If you have any questions about the day, or accessibility requests please contact women@lgbt.foundation
