About this event
The climate emergency requires urgent action at all levels, but it can at times feel both overwhelming and remote. We believe in making climate change more tangible and relevant to our lives, as LGBTQ people living in London.
This half-day event will bring climate action to life through short talks that provide a common knowledge base, and an interactive assembly session in which all community voices are heard.
We will facilitate the core elements of the day, to ensure that everyone feels grounded, informed, and part of a community. However, there will still be space for people to shape and bring their own cares and concerns to the event.
Agenda (subject to change)
11:00-12:00 Guided meditation
12:00-12:30 Shared lunch (bring yummy veggie/ vegan food!)
12:30-13:30 Introduction and short talks from scientists, activists, and more
13:30-15:30 Queer Climate Assembly
15:30-16:00 Wrap up
16:30-∞ Make connections and make things happen - together!
The why and what of the assembly: format and themes
Climate assemblies or citizen assemblies are a tried and tested format for bringing together people of all walks of life to formulate inclusive and resilient responses. They encourage and enable everyone to contribute to the discussion on an equal basis, and can help establish a clear sense of purpose.
Assemblies are sometimes used solely to formulate a political demand. While political engagement is important, we believe that assemblies can and should be used to discuss and develop practical responses by a community.
We hope this assembly will be an opportunity to start developing a concrete response to the climate emergency as members of the London LGBTQ+ community. We see the assembly as the beginning of this process.
We therefore suggest discussing the following questions:
- What are some of the challenges you foresee, in your life, in the next 5, 10, 20 years?
- How can we build a community that is resilient in the face of climate change?
- Can we imagine a community that will have been part of a global climate solution?
Who is invited
We expressly welcome anyone from seasoned climate activists to those who newly seeking ways to engage with climate issues with others in the LGBTQ+ community. To ensure clarity of purpose, however, we only invite those who agree that urgent climate action is needed.
Ways to contribute
- Simply turn up on the day. We only ask you to commit to coming to the core hours from 12:30 to 15:30 (intro and assembly sessions). No admission after 12:45pm.
- Become part of the planning and coordinating committee - no set amount of time required.
- Give a talk about a climate-related project that you have been involved with. You can also put us in touch with someone else who might be interested.
- Contribute artworks and decoration to help create a unique space.
You can get in touch with the team by emailing stevan.cirkovic@hey.com and prideinstem@gmail.com (please copy both addresses).
About the organisers:
Stevan is a social and policy innovator, community builder and student of Zen. He has practised Buddhist meditation since 2016 and non-violent communication since 2019. He is passionate about organic democracy and facilitating a community response to the climate emergency. Stevan has also initiated and led weekly meditation sessions at the centre since December 2021 and is a member of the Green Plan Advisory Board of Imperial College NHS Trust.
Pride in STEM is an award-nominated UK Charity dedicated to showcasing and supporting LGBTQIA+ people in STEM. Previous work from us on tackling the climate crisis had a specific focus on countless communities that have been ignored during global discussions on climate change, in particular, indigenous communities and people of colour.
Heidi is an activist with Rainbow Rebellion, an LGBTQIA+ climate justice movement affiliated with Extinction Rebellion (XR). Rainbow Rebellion seeks to use non-violent direct action to demand meaningful action on the climate crisis, and to create a space for the LGBTQIA+ community within climate activism.
Accessibility:
The Centre's accessibility statement is here.
Covid-19 safety:
To keep our community safe, we ask that all visitors take a Covid test before coming to the Centre and to not come if you’re feeling unwell. Please wear a mask unless exempt.