Gay Sports Fair 2015

Gay Sports Fair was held this year at the Kia Oval Cricket organised by The List. It was held on the Tuesday, 27th January 2015 between the hours of 18:00 to 22:00. There were over 25 sport organisations and related clubs, campaigns and organisations.

There were opportunities to get signed up to some sporting clubs to find out further information and an opportunity to join. Pride in London were there to recruit volunteers to the run-up of Pride in June this year. Tasters were provided by Body Plus Nutrition and Saviour Tea of weight management food and herb-blended tea. Chance to win tickets were given out for the London Gay Symphony Orchestra by tweeting image with the event’s hashtag.

Organisations in attendance included:

• Body Plus Nutrition
• CycleOut London
• East End Phoenix FC
• Outplay Squash
• Florida Keys & Key West
• Gay and Lesbian Underwater Group (GLUG)
• Gay Football Supporter’s Network
• GMFA
• Goslings London Badminton Club
• Hackney Women’s Football Club
• Ishigaki
• Just A Ball Game?
• Kings Cross Steelers
• London Frontrunners
• London Gay Boxing Club
• London Lesbian Kickabouts (LLKA)
• London Raiders
• London Romans FC
• London Royals HC
• London Spikers Volleyball Club
• London Titans FC
• Mens Package
• Open Athletics
• Out To Swim
• Pride in London
• Saviour Tea
• Sport in the City
• Stonewall FC
• The London Otters Rowing Club

The next Gay Sports Fair won’t be until next year but you can still attend to the events ahead this year such as the Pride Volunteering Fair and the Gay Wellbeing Fair.

#GaySportsFair

Wikimania 2014

Wikimania is an annual event which is held in a different city in the world, surrounding the works of Wikipedia, Wikimedia and their related projects. This year it was held in London, UK. It’s is in the 10^th year with attendees from 83 countries in attendance this year. It was held in the Barbican Centre between Thursday 7^th to Sunday 10^th August 2014.

Below is the round ups of what went down in Wikimania 2014:

• Hackathon was held on 6^th to 7^th August 2014 which was a day where people with no experience to fluent users of the MediaWiki software come together to build and develop projects.
• The Opening Ceremony was held on Thursday 7^th August 2014 at 19:00 with introductory greetings from executive and directors from Wikipedia and Wikimedia as well as keynote from Salil Shetty from Amnesty International.
•  All attendees were provided with a t-shirt and a goody bag (choice of red or blue).
• Themes of the event: The Future of Education, Open Data, Open Scholarship, Democratic Media, Social Machines and State of the Wiki.
• Community Village had Wikimedia and open-knowledge-related organisations with stalls set up to socialise and to find out different projects anew and ongoing.
• There were 200 talks covering many diverse topics surrounding Wikipedia and any related contents covering from humanitarian topics or getting technical for the beginners. There was something for everyone!
• At the end of the day, there are entertainment running through the evening with music, shows and stand-up comedians.
• The Closing Ceremony was held on 10^th August 2014 which the Wikimania torch was handed over to Mexico City.

There have been many discussions during the event and the main ones that struck me were the “monkey selfie” which became the starlight topic of the year attracting controversy left, right and centre. The other issue raised was “The Right to be Forgotten” which is not what Wikipedia or Wikimedia stands for. You can find further information on their Wikimania London’s website.

#Wikimania2014

London Comic Mart July 2014

The London Comic Mart is an event held at Royal National Hotel in Russell Square which usually occurs on the first Sunday most months of the year. They have stalls of people selling comics old and new occasionally with a guest star comic book writer or artist doing signings.

My first Comic Mart was all the way back in ___ 2011 when I began my conquest of collecting She-Hulk and Doctor Strange comics. Because of the intimate setting, it’s a great way of connecting with people and it’s where I’ve also made great friends. It’s one of the best places to find a bargain on comic books and merchandise.

This time round I got a few comic books as well as finding two other gems that I would usually not get at Comic Mart: two Taschens Tom of Finland artbooks! Both slightly lower than the retail price which were great finds.

#LondonComicMart

Gay Outdoor Club Evening Walk

The Gay Outdoor Club (GOC) is groups of organised social outdoor activities such as walks, cycling and rock climbing. This year they offered a free walk in conjunction for this year’s Pride event which was held in London’s Regent Park and to commemorate the 40^th anniversary which is quite a feat for a gay organisation.

Starting at Regent’s Park Station, there was quite a crowd turn out for the walk. Starting off there was an introduction in regards the walk and a chance to see who came over from Pride.

Everyone I’ve spoken to were approachable and friendly even with the never-ending rain couldn’t dampen any spirit. I’ve had so much fun listening to all the different stories, interests and having many laughs walking down the route with the others.

We went through the Queen's Mary Garden which featured a spectrum bed of roses planted beautifully across different areas of this section of the park. This eventually leads up to the Open Air Theatre showing a selection of plays throughout the year. We went up Primrose Hill where we found London in view painted on a grey canvas of clouds London’s towering and cascading buildings on the forefront. After gathering in the views, we made our way through Regent's Canal to finish at the Black Cap pub. I've had an amazing day out and I will most certainly be up for another walk with the group.

For further information, you can visit their website at http://www.goc.org.uk/ where you’ll find information to join. You can give them a try out by attending to the walks to see if it is your scene. They also have an array of activities that does not only involves walking such as biking and rock climbing.

#GayOutdoorClub

Pride Volunteering Fair 2014

The Pride Volunteering Fair is an official Pride event organised by The List. This year it was held at Hogan Lovells International LLP who also provided the drinks for the evening. Held on Monday 23rd June 2014 from 18:00 to 22:00.

Upon arrival, there was a chance to enter a draw to get on the official Pride in London’s mega bus during Pride. All that was required was to drop a business card into the draw cup and the draw would be announced later on.

The event was an opportunity to find out about different LGBT and related charities as well as a chance to chat to other attendees. Views from the venue looked out upon Smithfield on the reception floor with an adjoining terrace balcony connecting the main room where the event was held.

Charities there included:

·         Broken Rainbow

·         National Aids Trust

·         Stonewall

·         Prostate Cancer UK

·         Army LGBT Forum

·         London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard

·         Diversity Role Models

·         Pride in London

·         LGBT Humanists UK

·         MildMay

·         NAZ Project London

·         Positive East London

·         So So Gay Magazine

There was a table reserved for Stonewall Housing but they were not able to make it. There were different organisations ranging from domestic violence to HIV to prostate cancer. There were opportunities to sign up to their mailing list for upcoming available volunteer positions. With the exception of Army LGBT Forum and So So Magazine, you’re able to find out how to volunteer with the organisations through their respective website.

#PrideVolunteeringFair