Five LGBTQ+ safe spaces in Norwich

Student Ambassador Adrian gives us a run down of his favourite LGBQT+ friendly spaces in Norwich.

In the vibrant city of Norwich diversity has many forms, all of which are embraced and celebrated. As a queer student at Norwich University of the Arts, I’ve had the pleasure of discovering a range of inclusive spaces, a collection of sanctuaries where my friends and I not only feel safe but also truly at home. With this list, I want to share with you Norwich’s inclusive spirit and the welcoming spaces that have become an integral part of my university experience.

1. Pillow Princess – Stripped Sets Collective

The only way to start this list is with Pillow Princess. A new Norwich queer event usually held at Gonzos that I’ve been attending for over a year! Pillow Princess quickly became one of my favourite Norwich queer nights, and it can be best described as a queer party designed to be a safe space, drawing inspiration from queer club heritage. It’s a community for queer people of all identities to express themselves through music, performance and dance. Each event has a theme; some of the last few have been: ‘Twinks Vs Goths’, ‘B*tches, Witches & Switches’, ‘Villain Era’, and there’s many more to come! In this space I’ve made endless LGBTQ+ friends, and as a trans male myself I can vouch for this being a very safe and comfortable space to express however you want to.

Stripped Sets also put on other queer events around Norwich; another favourite of mine is Femme Factory, a party that spreads love, empowerment and appreciation for women and non-binary DJs, usually at Space Studios. Check them out on Instagram to keep up with their latest events. See you there!

2. The Merchants House

On to the second one of our list! Merchants is where coffee shop, ale house and restaurant meet, serving coffee, fine ale and toasties. This is definitely a hotspot for the students and artists of Norwich; and while this coffee shop isn’t specifically aimed at LGBTQ+ people, most of Norwich Uni’s queer students come here to do their uni work. A beautiful old building, surrounded by an artistic interior that reminds me of the energy from the gorgeous cafes in Barcelona and a charming little tea garden. This is definitely a place with a lovely and relaxed atmosphere, great for study dates, focusing on work and meeting up with friends.

3. Last Poet Standing

This is an event you might be surprised to see on this list! This isn’t a space I initially went into, not thinking I’d make many new queer friends. However, after only attending a couple of times my network of queer neurodivergent friends kept growing and growing! After each session there’s an opportunity to socialise and drink if you wish to, and this is a space where I’ve ended up meeting all types of people. Usually held at Last Pub Standing, Last Poet Standing is a poetry slam and open mic event that has grown in popularity every time I’ve been so far. There’s free entry all evening, with food and drinks available from the bar. You can come and perform, or you can copy me and simply support and listen to what the range of voices and talents have to say. Definitely a must try!

4. The Playhouse Bar

This is a fantastic, friendly place, attached to the Playhouse theatre and within a couple minutes from Norwich Uni, a space where students, actors, musicians and artists of all types meet. Once again, although this isn’t specifically an LGBTQ+ bar, it lays at the centre of Norwich queer culture. With a lovely and big beer garden, this is one of the more underground bars in Norwich. And in my opinion, a bar with one of the best atmospheres.

5 Evolve at M.A.P

Lastly, but certainly not least! This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Evolve. This is a peer-support group for young people who are trans, non-binary, intersex and/or questioning their gender, held at M.A.P., a youth charity in Norwich. Evolve is a safe space with experienced staff, where young people can socialise and discuss trans issues in a friendly, respectful and understanding environment. They can also provide one-to-one support and advice around gender identity. While I was a member, up until I graduated out of the group at 26, I went on many group outings and did a variety of fun workshops, picnics and trips. As well as celebrating Norwich Pride! In this space I was able to find life long friends and experiences that helped me through some of my hardest times, and build a little trans+ family. Definitely a safe space to explore gender expression and gender identity with no judgement.