The Stove NetworkAn Arts and Community Organisation
The Stove Network
Embark on the screen printing journey with Queer Town’s leading t-shirt factory! Discover the craft of screen printing with an array of handcrafted Doonhamer designs to select from. This t-shirt factory kicks off a series of workshops and events that celebrate queer culture, showcasing solidarity, and enhancing queer visibility in Dumfries and beyond! Sign up for free, and while donations are welcome for t-shirts, any profits will support Pride Dumfries 2024.
Queer Town, previously known as ‘Queer Club,’ was established in 2021 by dedicated local community members with a fervour for preserving, expanding, and celebrating LGBTQ+ culture. Our commitment extends from the shared heritage within Dumfries & Galloway to fostering engagement for all individuals within the community. Since its inception, Queer Club successfully orchestrated the month-long Dumfries Pride celebrations in 2022 and 2023, collaborating with over 60 partners, including local organisations, businesses, individuals, and enterprises, all rallying behind the support of Queer culture in the community. With an annual Pride programme of over 30 events over the span of 4 weeks locally, the collective has firmly embedded itself as a stellar example of LGBTQ+ activism within rural communities in Scotland.
With the backing of the Stove’s Open Hoose project, Queer Club maintained a monthly community space, providing a hub for everyone to connect. Fast forward to 2024, and the project has undergone a refresh, emphasising its dedication to further supporting and engaging the LGBTQ+ community in Dumfries. This involves fostering creative activities, engaging in activism, and strategically planning to enhance inclusion within the town while championing the development of homegrown LGBTQ+ culture.
Queer Town is open to everyone over the age of 16. Whether you identify within LGBTQ+ community or not. We want to encourage everyone to learn, take part and grow their community together. It’s all about understanding and making bridges (and having fun).
If you’re under 16 and looking to get involved with LGBTQ+ activity, check out LGBT Youth Scotland here.
In the face of escalating hate crimes, particularly against LGB+ and transgender individuals in Scotland, the imperative for safe cultural spaces for the LGBTQ+ community becomes ever more crucial. Disturbingly, recent statistics reveal a doubling of hate crimes within the last year, with 1,884 charges related to sexual orientation and 55 tied to transgender identity in 2022/23. This alarming surge has not only intensified the vulnerability of LGBTQ+ individuals but has also led protected characteristic communities to withdraw from community activities, plagued by genuine safety concerns.
Safe cultural spaces serve as sanctuaries, offering respite from the escalating threats faced by the LGBTQ+ community. These spaces foster a sense of security and belonging, enabling individuals to express their authentic selves without fear of persecution. Beyond being a refuge, these spaces become vital hubs for community cohesion, empowerment, and activism. By providing havens that actively combat the adverse effects of hate crimes, safe cultural spaces play a pivotal role in rekindling trust, restoring engagement, and instigating positive change within the LGBTQ+ community.