LGBTQ+ Norwich

Self-proclaimed leader of Norwich’s drag revolution, local drag artiste and First Lady of the House of Daze drag collective, LIV graduated last summer from BA (Hons) Fine Art degree (she boasts being a ‘first-class’ drag artiste) and has been living and working in the city since. LIV shares all the things they love about LGBTQ+ Norwich.

Coming from my hometown of Nottingham I had no clue of what it meant to be queer, let alone part of an LGBTQ+ community.

It was my initial visits to The Loft nightclub where I began to safely develop my queer identity. I found a piece of myself on that dance floor that I have nurtured into the opulent drag artiste you see before you today.

My loft nights were also helpful for learning the words to every pop song that was ever worth lip-syncing. The Loft is situated on the reverse side of Prince of Wales Road and so bypasses the general riff raff who may take issue with our decadence.

Drag in Norwich – The House of Daze

As beautiful as nights out with friends are, they are only one side of Norwich’s vibrant queer culture. As a second year I formed The House of Daze with four friends and we began putting on monthly events at The Birdcage Pub who are fabulous allies and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community.

Each year we collaborate on events for Norwich Pride that take place on the green outside the pub. They provide the space for us to conduct our activism on a public platform and contribute to the city’s inclusive and colourful Pride celebrations.

After several months of our events we began to understand the importance of having a safe and accepting social space for the LGBTQ+ community.

Our drag events are for spending time with other queer people, rebuilding our identities on our own terms and for finding the belonging we struggle to feel in a cis-heteronormative society.

In this House we welcome and respect all who come through our doors regardless of race, ability, sexuality and gender identity.

Following a year of steady growth, we began to expand our shows with the incredible community venue that is the Norwich Arts Centre. Completely accessible throughout with gender neutral toilets, the Arts Centre offers a huge array of events all year round including live art, comedy, music and so much more.

Our events end at the perfect time in the night where you can decide between heading home feeling warm and fuzzy inside or continuing to party the night away; having this choice is important for us with most other LGBTQ+ events revolving around drinking and clubbing.

An inclusive community

Overall Norwich is a very safe and progressive city with an inclusive queer community and rich LGBTQ+ history.

During my time at NUA I discovered my passion for performance, community and activism; in addition to my identity as a non-binary individual. In my skyscraper heels the city is my stomping ground to live freely.

Follow on Instagram

@LIV_drag
@thehouseofdaze

Explore BA Fine Art at NUA

Image credits

Liv with Rose
‘Image provided by Norwich Arts Centre as part of their toilet refurbishment fundraising campaign #NACregeneration’

Liv on Stage
Photography by Tom P Morley from ‘New Queers Eve’ at the Nottingham Contemporary with Dirty Filthy Sexy.

Liv with diamonds
Self-portrait from LIV’s third year degree show.

House of Daze on stage
The cast of The House of Daze’s Valentines show at the Norwich Arts Centre.