Sahir House is delighted to announce the successful soft launch of a new Queer Town Hall initiative for the Liverpool City Region.Hosted at Lovelocks Coffee Shop on Wednesday 6th December, our pilot event witnessed an impressive turnout, with over 40 attendees passionate about fostering connections within the LGBTQ+ community.
This much needed initiative, prompted by a discussion with several grassroots groups and facilitated by Sahir House, is driven by our shared commitment to uplift, empower, and connect LGBTQ+ individuals across the Liverpool City Region.
The Queer Town Hall is not only an inclusive platform for dialogue but also a community-driven venture, with our aspiration for the initiative to be owned, shaped, and directed by the community it serves.
CEO Ant Hopkinson expressed the significance of this initiative, stating, “We hope that the Queer Town Hall will grow from strength to strength, providing a much-needed authentic platform for LGBTQ+ people to safely come together to discuss, debate, and generate action on matters important to them.”
Each Queer Town Hall will focus on a different topic, selected by community members. The pilot event centred on the LGBTQ+ community’s relationship with Merseyside Police.
Much of the discussion held centred around Peter Tatchell’s ‘Apologise Now’ campaign, acknowledging a history of persecution and mistreatment as well as ongoing distrust that many in our community rightfully continue to harbour towards the police.
Recalling a grim history of police raids on queer spaces, arrests during HIV/AIDS protests, the vilification of queer sex and relationships and recent mistreatment of gender diverse community members, it was acknowledged that while progress has been made, issues persist, particularly affecting marginalized community members such as LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers.
Highlighting Merseyside Police’s efforts to improve relations, it was noted that LGBTQ+ individuals proudly serve as police officers, some of whom attended the inaugural town hall meeting.
Attendees collectively agreed that this event was a new opportunity and marked a new phase in the dialogue with Merseyside Police.
Participants reached a consensus that an apology might be premature, emphasising the importance of an authentic acknowledgment and a commitment from the police to engage in ongoing dialogue.
This sentiment aligns with the belief that a genuine pledge to take affirmative steps towards improving policing for LGBTQ+ individuals is more agreeable. The police was invited to seek training and insight from local LGBTQ+ organisations which includes the lived experience of those they serve.
Sahir extends its heartfelt thanks to all attendees for their bravery, tenacity, and responsiveness – which underlines the crucial role of community activism and togetherness in bettering our position in society.
Special appreciation goes to our compère, John Hyland, and the talented performers, Ali Dodds and Garnett Frost whose poetry and music enriched the event.
We extend gratitude to Lovelocks Cafe for providing a safe and welcoming space for our community to gather.
Merseyside Police is also acknowledged for their presence and willingness to listen.
Julie Cooke, Head of Inclusion at Merseyside Police stated, “Events like the Queer Town Hall are instrumental in building bridges and fostering understanding. We are committed to ongoing collaboration with the LGBTQ+ community and look forward to continued dialogue.”
As we move forward, Sahir will share next steps regarding the conversation with Merseyside Police and the ‘Apologise Now’ campaign.
We also invite community members to reach out, share thoughts, and propose ideas for the next Queer Town Hall – what topics to focus on, who to invite, and where to hold the meeting.
Together, we will shape a vibrant, inclusive platform that reflects the diverse voices within our community.
If you would like further information, please email our LGBTQ+ Community Engagement Worker, katrina.taylor@sahir.uk.com
