We seek to connect audiences to a variety of panellists who hold a diverse range of specialisms and lived experiences.
Join us for our first year where we’ll be discussing history, politics and literature.
The event will be made up of four sessions during the afternoon and offer the chance to hear from the Orwell Prize winner for Political Fiction, Tom Crewe, learn about London’s queer history, the path to ending HIV in the UK and celebrate trans and non-binary joy.
There will be breaks between sessions to allow for conversation, drinks and book signings.
In partnership with Gay’s The Word and the Royal Vauxhall Tavern.
Doors 13:00.
London’s Queer History
Hosted by Julian Worricker with Dan Glass and Dr Isabell Dhams
Julian Worricker (he/him) is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster with more than thirty years’ on-air experience, both in radio and television. He presented on the BBC News Channel for more than ten years and currently presents ‘Weekend’ on the BBC World Service. He appears regularly on Radio 4, presenting The World Tonight, Last Word and Any Answers.
Dan Glass (he/him) is an AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) healthcare and human rights activist and writer. In 2017 he was recognised as an ‘Activist of the Year’ at the Sexual Freedom Awards. Dan was announced a ‘BBC Greater Londoner’ for founding Queer Tours of London – A Mince Through Time. His new book ‘Queer Footprints – A Guide to Uncovering London’s Fierce History’ is out now.
Dr Isabell Dahms (she/her) is a lecturer in Queer History at Goldsmiths, University of London. Isabell has previously co-taught courses on London’s queer histories, queer care, and cruising at the Bishopsgate Institute.
A celebration of trans and non-binary joy
With Ben Pechey and Tash Oakes-Monger
Ben Pechey (they/them) is a writer, presenter and LGBTQ+ advocate. They are a TEDx speaker and have written for The Guardian, Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, Refinery 29 and Diva Magazine. Ben also works as a diversity & inclusion consultant and has supported brands such as Condé Nast and the NSPCC. They are the author of ‘The Book of Non-Binary Joy’ and ‘Your Gender Book’, which will be released in November 2023.
TC Oakes-Monger (they/them) started writing as a “means of survival”. After growing up as a closeted queer in a rural village they came out as trans and started working to improve healthcare for LGBTQ+ people. Tash’s first book ‘All The Things They Said We Couldn’t Have’ brings into focus the power joy can bring.
In conversation with Orwell Prize winner Tom Crewe, A New Life
Julian Worricker interviews Tom Crewe
Set in London in 1894, Tom Crewe’s first novel tells the story of John Addington and Henry Ellis and their search for social and sexual freedom. Published in January ‘The New Life’ has won the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction and the South Bank Sky Arts Award for Literature.
Tom (he/him) has a PhD in nineteenth century British history from the University of Cambridge. Since 2015, he has been an editor at the London Review of Books, to which he contributes essays on politics, art, history and fiction.
Ending HIV in the UK
Hosted by Marc Thompson with Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP, Eli Fitzgerald and Ellie Harrison
Marc Thompson (he/him) has been at the forefront of HIV activism in the UK for over 30 years. He is a co-founder of PrEPster and a co-director of The Love Tank CIC, a community interest company that promotes the health and wellbeing of under served communities through education and research.
Lloyd Russell-Moyle (he/him) has been the MP for Brighton Kemptown since 2017. He is the Treasurer and Vice Chair for the All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV and AIDS and has been a constant voice in Parliament on issues relating to HIV. In a bid to tackle stigma associated with the condition, Lloyd was the second MP to publicly announce he was HIV positive.
Eli Fitzgerald (he/him) is a human rights activist and LGBTQ+ campaigner. He is a Youth Project Co-Ordinator at Positively UK. Eli works to ensure the voices of young and transgender people living with HIV are recognised.
Ellie Harrison (she/her) became a HIV activist following her diagnosis at the age of 21, after using a home test kit. She works to promote sexual health education and to eliminate stigma against people living with HIV.
This is a mixed seating/standing event.
Accessibility
The RVT is accessible via the main double doors which have a flat floor, there are no steps into the RVT and the inside is almost fully flat except for a small balcony area at the back. The toilets are not fully accessible and wheelchair users may require assistance to use the toilets.
