The show must go on! Dance groups for queer elders go digital during lockdown – and you can join in
Photo of a couple dancing at an LGBTI+ Elders Social Dance Club (Courtesy of the National Theatre Scotland)
Dance groups for older LGBT+ people in Scotland are migrating to Zoom during coronavirus lockdown to help keep the community connected and engaged.
The LGBTI+ Elders Social Dance Clubs have been running every month since last year in Glasgow and Inverness, but the coronavirus pandemic means that the community can no longer get together to dance in person.
But that doesn’t mean they can’t go ahead digitally. The groups, which are run by the National Theatre of Scotland and All The Queens Men in partnership with Eden Court, Luminate and Glasgow City Council, will be taking place on Zoom during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Older LGBT+ people can take part in social dances through Zoom during the coronavirus pandemic.
Two social dances have already taken place on Zoom, with three more scheduled for June 13, July 12 and August 9.
Older LGBT+ people who want to take part simply need a suitable device, such as a computer or a phone, a great outfit, a drink and some space in which they can dance.
The online dance groups will help keep older LGBT+ people connected as they stay at home in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, and are part of The Coming Back Out Ball, a year-long multi-event celebration of LGBT+ older people in Scotland.
The Coming Back Out Ball was originated by Australian arts company All The Queens Men in an effort to celebrate older LGBT+ people, a community who have lived under discriminatory laws and social attitudes.
The Coming Back Out Ball has been postponed until later this year.
The climax of the year-long event was due to take place in June with a spectacular ball — but this has now been postponed due to the ongoing pandemic, with a date yet to be announced.
One of the the LGBTI+ Elders Social Dance Clubs will be streamed on PinkNews social media channels during the Pride for All festival, a digital pride event running from June 4 to June 7 to raise funds for the Kaleidoscope Trust.
The social dance will be streamed on June 7 from 2pm to 3.30pm.
The four-day Pride for All festival will feature live Q&As, sing-alongs and conversations with celebrities, influencers and politicians.
Any older LGBT+ people interested in joining the LGBTI+ Elders Social Dance Clubs should email [email protected] for more information.
