A safe space for those within the LGBTQIA+ community is something that's been fought for since the beginning of time. The 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York was the beginning and source of inspiration for so many LGBTQIA+ movements in the 20th and 21st Century. One movement which began in the wake of the Stonewall Riot was the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) which was founded in 1970 in the UK. The GLF’s focus was on ‘revolutionary change in society’ and not on law reform and this is something Fluid has been doing. The Gay Liberation Front challenged gay people (specifically) to be visibly proud of who they were, and this is a message that I believe Fluid has embodied with the space they have created for the members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
What is Fluid?
Fluid is a London-based urban LGBTQIA+ club founded by siblings Rosa and Joe; they’ve wasted no time making a name for themselves. They only held their first event back in September 2021 at The Macbeth in Hoxton with special guest performer Amaria BB and have not stopped growing since then. Already, the club has gained over 5,000 Instagram followers and has had the likes of Ivorian Doll and Ms. Banks perform, not to mention amazing DJ Line-ups. Rosa and Joe set up Fluid, to provide members of the community with an inclusive safe space for them to connect and party.
Fluid holds an event roughly every month at different locations with different performers and lineups. Their most recent event, which was held in April, was an ICON Party-themed night where attendees were encouraged to come dressed as an icon or be their own. As I am part of the LGBTQIA+ community, I have attended women-only events and of course normal club events. I’ve had the pleasure of attending several Fluid club nights and can honestly say it has quickly become my favourite club to attend, even more so because it is an inclusive LGBTQIA+ space. In their Instagram bio, FLUID is described as a club event that is an ‘inclusive safe space for the community to connect and party’. I have met so many lovely individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community and this has only been possible because of the safe space FLUID has provided for us to socialise in such a safe and fun capacity.
Why is an inclusive LGBTQIA+ club such as Fluid so important for the community?
The LGBTQIA+ community has experienced discrimination and attacks on who they are and how they choose to present themselves for decades but despite this, have always continued to fight for their rights and be who they want to be. Over the years the community has grown to be even more inclusive and become an umbrella for those of many different identities and sexual orientations. An event such as Fluid, that priorities creating and maintaining a safe environment for its attendees is a necessity in today’s society for the ever-growing community.
“We felt there needed to be an inclusive, safe event for everyone to enjoy with pure good vibes and energy.”
Today, there has been an exponential growth in mainstream media with programmes and movies that have been created for LGBTQIA+ members which shows how western society has grown to be more accepting in allowing the community to feel empowered and represented. The nightlife scene in London had seen separate gay-specific clubs and lesbian-specific clubs created over time but not an inclusive LGBTQIA+ club welcoming all within the growing community. FLUID being created closed this gap in the nightlife scene and Rosa, one of the co-founders explains how "Our idea was to create a club night that goes beyond surface-level with hopes to make a community-driven space where peoples well-being and safety is also considered”.
"We’re so grateful to be able to make [all of] this happen in the first year and excited to see where FLUID can go.”
As FLUID prepares for the summer and even had a stage takeover at Bruk Out Fest which was Birmingham’s first Black LGBT music festival over the May Bank holiday weekend. I’m excited to see their growth and to see the club continue to be a safe club for the LGBTQIA+ community.
If you’d like any more information on FLUID and to get in contact with their team the best place to do so is via their Instagram @FLUID_LONDON.
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