I went to an LGBTQIA+ open mic

London offers a decent selection of events catering to many different communities. While LGBTQIA+ events were famously held in the heart of the capital, in Soho, things have progressively moved more East. Now, you will find some of the trendiest bars and night outs in Hackney and its surroundings, many of which cater to the LGBTQIA+ community. One of these events has just celebrated its one year anniversary. Promoting arts in various forms, Queer Edge Live, created by EJ Nutbrown, invites poets, singers, rappers, comedians, and other artists of all shapes and form, to take on the stage in Nico’s Cocktail Bar on E Bay Lane, to showcase what they do best: perform. Tonight (Thursday, April 17) I sit among a busy audience to celebrate the one year anniversary of the event, which occurs every month. The show follows the same format: comedian Ella Grace presents the acts, and a handful of different artists perform a couple of acts.

However, tonight, the show includes a bigger lineup. “You know, I want to support local and queer [art],” EJ explains. “On top of that, I want to support queer and emerging. I want to support emerging artists.”