About
We welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, pansexual, asexual, intersex and questioning women, including trans, non-binary and gender fluid people, of all races, religions, classes, ages, and abilities.
There are plenty of existing spaces in the UK for our heteronormative and LGBT+ male friends. We’re here for us ladies and non-binary folk.
Wherever you are in your LGBT+ journey - whether you’re questioning, coming out, in the closet, or out and proud, Sappho Events is a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for you.
We create safe, sober and social events for LGBT+ women and non-binary people across the UK.
Clubbing and bars can be fantastic ways to connect but they aren’t for everyone, and we think there should be lots of ways to meet, and make both platonic and romantic connections with other LGBT+ women and non-binary people.
That’s why our events centre around common interests such as literature, film, crafts, history, wellbeing, advocacy, gaming, dating, outdoor activities, and lots of tea and coffee.
Finding a queer group of LGBT+ women and non-binary people like you - who not only understand you but have walked a similar journey to yours - is pretty excellent and life-affirming.
Whether you’re looking to find more friends, find love, share common interests, or just have a good chat, we think our safe, sober and social events will give you space to be your authentic self, find enriching support and have fun.
We launched our first events in January 2021. It was the dead of winter and the festive season was be behind us… so it was time to spread some cheer and warm some hearts!
Now we run monthly events in-person and online. We sometimes host events ourselves and other times we work with LGBTQ businesses and collaborators to co-present events.
Our events are mostly run in-person in central London, with some online-only events that welcome people from across the UK.
We have trialled events in regional hubs across the UK and are always looking for new opportunities to branch out beyond our London hub.
Sappho is the godmother of gay women. She was a Greek poet living over 500 B.C on the island of Lesbos (sound familiar?).
She is widely acknowledged as a symbol of love and desire between women. She is our No.1 sapphic muse and our namesake.
Make a donation.
We are a CIC, and all the profit we make goes directly back into producing more events. If you like what we do, please consider donating.
Partner with us.
We love working with other LGBTQ+ organisations and allies, and so far have partnered with the LGBT Foundation and Switchboard, the LGBT helpline to create bespoke events. Reach out if you’ve got an idea for collaboration.
Have we missed something?
We love to hear feedback on what you love, what we’re missing, and what other kind of events you’d like to see. Email us your ideas!
MISSION STATEMENT.
Sappho Events believes that no LGBT+ woman or non-binary person should have to change their appearance, hide their identity or dim down their personal expression to fit in. At Sappho Events, we provide safe, sober and social spaces for LGBT+ women and non-binary people to meet like-minded people, find their people, and shine bright.
When we say women, we mean those who identify as female - inclusive of cis women, trans women, non-binary and gender non-conforming people.
When we say LGBT+ we mean those who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Pansexual, and those sexual identities that lay outside the heterosexual binary.
Our events offer relaxed, non-alcohol fuelled and inclusive environments for coffee, chats, and shared interests.
We value pride, inclusivity, safety, acceptance, and we hope to spark joy, comfort, and empower you to be your best and most fierce self.
VISION.
Sappho Events want to make LGBT+ women and non-binary people around the world feel less alone, accepted for who they are, proud and comfortable in their sexuality, supported by their people who understands them, and excited for their interconnected future that lies ahead. We hope to do this by populating corners of the globe with safe, sober and social events run by and for LGBT+ women and non-binary people - starting with the UK.
VALUES.
Gender and sexual identity politics is constantly changing and evolving. This is good. It means work is being done to improve and mould language in ways that offer recognition, tangibility and meaning. Sappho Events embraces this ever-changing concoction of words, and will stay nimble and receptive to the kaleidoscope of expression.
Our core values act as our moral compass that will guide Sappho Events in all company behaviour, marketing materials and events. These will continue to shift and grow and be updated as the forms around us change. But these guiding principles will remain at the core of our company to ensure that progress is made for as many as possible, not just those with an easier lot in life. We must never further margenalise a minority already within a minority. We rise together.
Sappho Events values:
Accessibility - so LGBT+ women and non-binary people UK-wide - no matter their race, ability, age, religion or location - can access events. You shouldn’t have to live in a capital city to be catered to. That’s why we endeavour to run events online nationally, and in-person in as many regional hubs as possible as soon as we can.
Inclusivity - Sappho Events accepts, embraces and celebrates diversity. Come exactly as you are.
Visibility - we seek to amplify the voices of LGBT+ women and non-binary people, and ensure we are seen, heard, and valued.
Empowerment - Sappho Events hopes to inspire LGBT+ women and non-binary people, celebrate their intrinsic power, and take pride in the value of their voice. That’s why we promise to have positive, inspiring and uplifting outlooks when we program and present our events.
Celebration - we want to inject a joyful spirit into everything we do, because attitude matters. We aim to reinforce that being LGBT+ is a positive part of a person’s identity rather than a problem or a challenge. You are beautiful, let’s celebrate.
SAFEGUARDING POLICY.
We have a duty of care to ensure that no one experiences abuse, exploitation or neglect on our watch.
So that we can all have a good time, we have a few ground rules - our Safeguarding Policy - to ensure that everyone feels as welcome and comfortable as possible, and is safe from risk of harm.
Everyone has the right to be safeguarded whatever their individual characteristics. At Sappho Events we aim to ensure that safeguarding is equally available and accessible to all interacting with our organisation, irrespective of age, disability, gender identities, marital status, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, culture or language.
We recognise that hate speech is a crime and believe that there is no place for such behaviour at Sappho Events.
We believe that no one should ever experience abuse, exploitation or neglect.
We believe it’s everyone’s responsibility to safeguard people at risk from abuse and to take action when made aware of the risk of harm.
Sappho Events recognises it has responsibilities to safeguard and promote the welfare of those at risk who engage in our events and activities, to keep them safe and to run our business in a way that protects them. Our Safeguarding Policy applies to all those who work with Sappho Events, including team members, advisors, contractors, partners, volunteers, and any other individual who works in association with Sappho Events.
Sappho Events is committed to creating an environment which ensures all who engage with our company enjoy opportunities to thrive, develop to their full potential and can feel safe from risk of harm or abuse.
Sappho Events commit to ensuring we effectively recognise, respond, record and report safeguarding concerns so that those who engage with us access the safeguards they need if at risk of harm or abuse.
If you feel unsafe at any point, or witness any problematic behaviour, please get in touch immediately with one of our team. If you do not feel comfortable to speak out in the moment, please email us on sapphoeventsuk@gmail.com with as much information as you can, so that we can take action to address your safeguarding concern. Please note that these contact details are not to be used in emergencies - if you, or someone else is in immediate danger call 999.
Sappho Events also acknowledges it is the responsibility of all who work with us to act if there is a cause for concern about a person at risk, it is not their responsibility to determine what action is required to protect them. Responsibility for deciding whether to escalate a concern to the appropriate authority lies with Sappho Events’ director.