Would you read your teenage diary aloud to a room full of people?
A brave group of LGBTQIA+ folx are doing just that at Queer Diary!
The night where queers share our teen angst (and joy, dreams, follies, and fabulousness).
We can't promise to reunite you with your first crush, but we do aim to reignite that rush of adrenaline you got when they first noticed you. At Queer Diary the goths, the punks, the emos, the nerds, the glee-clubbers (and maybe a few populars?) come together as grown-ups, to share our younger selves' innermost thoughts via old diary entries, fanfiction stories, tumblr posts, and possibly the odd bit of cringey poetry!
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Tickets to this event are Pay What You Can - please choose whichever price fits your budget!
To take part in Queer Diary by reading your teenage diaries (or poetry, or fanfic etc) check our FAQs & get in touch via the Sign Up form.
Please note: Entry is through the Common Press bookshop, where you can buy soft drinks, but any alcohol is Bring-Your-Own.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email Beth (host) & Josie (producer) at: Hasbianshow@gmail.com
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Follow us for updates:
Instagram @hasbianshow | Twitter @hasbianshow | Facebook @bethwhatcanido
How the event runs:
Anyone wanting to read can sign up via this link.
We often have slots available last minute. Let us know on the day that you have something to share!
Queer Diary is hosted by Beth Watson, who will warm up the crowd by sharing some teenage diary entries and chatting to the audience about some of your fave nostalgia moments.
We also take song requests of teen throwback tracks to play between readings.
We usually have 2-5 readers per evening, with a breaks where we'll put on our co-curated throwback playlist & for you to enjoy.
⚠️ Timing update for Common Press events in 2024: Doors open for the audience at 6:30pm, and the event runs 7-9pm.
Who's it for?:
Any LGBTQIA+ adults can volunteer to read something from their youth on the mic (please read the FAQs & sign-up form for more info).
Please note this event is themed around memories of teenage years gone by, and is aimed at adult audiences.
All LGBTQIA+ people and allies are welcome in the audience.
This is a LGBTQIA+ centred space in a queer-run venue, where all identities are welcome.
Discrimination of any form will not be tolerated.
Location & Access
2024 update ⚠️ Due to recent changes at Common Press, Queer Diary is in the downstairs event space - this space is down a flight of stairs with no step-free access.
We're currently looking into ways to make future dates more accessible. For now, we're live-streaming the event, for any audience members for whom stairs are a barrier. Ticket-holders will be emailed a link before the show starts to watch live - please choose the Livestream ticket option if you're attending online.
If you have questions about the venue, you can contact them via https://commonpress.co.uk/
The venue on Google Maps.
All toilets are gender neutral.
The nearest stations are Shoreditch High Street and Bethnal Green. The postcode is E2 6DG.
The Common Press is on Bethnal Green Road, a busy area with lots of shops, bars and cafes.
Accessible parking is on Redchurch Street, which is about 2 min from the venue.
We ask all our open-mic readers to self-describe for any blind or visually impaired audience members, and give content warnings for any sensitive material.
Seating is unreserved as standard. Please let us know via email if you would like us to reserve a seat, and if you have any specific access requirements we can accommodate in doing so (ie, near the front, near the exit, etc)
Dogs are welcome.
Please get in touch via hasbianshow@gmail.com if there's something you'd like us to consider to ensure Queer Diary is accessible for you.
COVID Safety:
Audience are encouraged to take a lateral flow test before attending. We also welcome the wearing of masks. Event organisers are vaccinated and use lateral flow testing regularly.
Please do NOT attend this event if you have either COVID symptoms or a positive test result.