Delivering the discussions needed, connecting the community and creating change – all aimed for and achieved at this year’s NTIA Night Life Industry Summit. Two days of firing up the industry and ensuring our voices were heard as He.She.They. yet again lead the way with a Queer Stage Takeover. Old friends, new friends, collectives and individuals coming together to make the case for change, celebrating the pioneering work the LGBTQI+ community has already delivered and lighting the way ahead for those ready to listen. Speakers Fat Tony, Nadine Noor (Pxssy Palace), Harry Gay (Queer House Party), Megan Wallace (Gay Times), Aliyah Husna/ Thempress (Good Night Out), Teeca (Fold), Ryan Langi (Hungama), Lews G Burton (Inferno), TeTe Bang Bang (Glitterbox), Akeil Onwukwe-Adamson (Queerbruk), Stee Dunn (Northern Pride), Dani & Yannis (Safe Only), Jake Reed (NTIA), Ali Wagner (Dancefloor Intimacy), Julie Tippins (DWP family), Leo Charalambrides and our Queenie showed this is what community looks like. This is what community can do.

And my takeaway – besides how truly groundbreaking and f***Ing fabulous we all are? Your disco needs you. Your queer local pub, venue, promoter, or fledging festival needs you. The odds, the licencing, the government, the cost of living crisis, the political climate of bigotry and transphobia, and the corporate takeover of events may be stacked against us. But we can work together to find solutions to the problems that hold us back, action to deal with the discrimination that affects us all (regardless of which part of the LGBTQIA+ family you identify as due to gender, sexuality, race, creed, age, disability or neurodivergent wiring) and the changes needed to ensure the dancefloors and the queer communities they cherish remain. Creating safer spaces for everyone – clubbers, dancers, bar and security staff, DJs, performers, promoters and sober souls. Yes, NTIA identified the many challenges ahead but it also did something most magical. It showed yet again, that the future lies with us – one mutha of a talented and determined nightlife community of darling queers here to kick down the doors, change the rules and save the disco. One party at a time. See you at the front.

Thanks to the incredible He.She.They. team Steven Braines, Sophie Kearney and Ashraf Ejjbair for the queer takeover belief and letting Queenie and I run wild with one of your panels, the staff at Hockley Social Club and the NTIA team – Rebecca Cullum, Michael Kill and Silvana Kill for the space to connect and celebrate.