Choose Yr Own Adventure! *Sober* Queer + LGBT Dance Party

CYOA is a queer+LGBT dance party for ppl who want a nite out without alcohol/intoxicants - welcoming ppl of all genders&sexualities (& none), all ages, all bodies&characters!

Take note we're on a Friday this time! Because of bookings at the hall we're going to be on Fridays for the foreseeable, so hoping that that nite works out for everyone. As ever, we run a pretty early ship, so there'll be loud musics and all the dancing from 8pm 'til midnite, and then we'll have an hour or so of relaxed time with quieter music. So, there'll still be loads of time for dancing and still time for people who need to catch last tubes to do so, and for anyone else to rest and chat/approach their crushes from the dance floor/etc.

Drinks and snacks are also by donation, but please do give a bit if you can because we need to pay for them all out of what you put in. We should have exciting bubble teas and things again!

- Why sober? Queer+LGBT spaces, as well as clubs generally, are often heavily centred around drinking, & sometimes we need alternatives. Ppl have lots of reasons for wanting space away from alcohol&c. Mebbe you can't drink/take intoxicants, for yr health or because of recovery. Mebbe you don't partake, whether for effects/taste/price/any no. of other reasons. Mebbe intoxicated spaces feel less safe to you - & while everyone's responsible for what they do under the influence, alcohol & drugs can make ppl less safe in many ways. Mebbe you just want to try going out dancing sober, without the pressure of intoxicant-oriented spaces, or bc the nite before was hard & you want a break.

For many ppl, the presence or absence of alcohol/intoxicants is a basic accessibility & safer space issue. Please respect that: however lovely you might be when not sober, it may be a serious issue for others. Bc of this, please don't drink/take drugs before coming - sorry, but you won't be welcome. You can have fun without, promise. & if you really don't like the thought of going out sober, please remember there are *loads* of spaces that already cater to you on that front, & very few for the ppl for whom the opposite is true.

- What music does CYOA play? Music to dance to. Femme pop, glittery electro, shouty riot grrrl songs &c. Robyn. Janelle Monáe. Le Tigre. Rihanna. Ladytron. Huggy Bear. MIA. Au Pairs. Kenickie. Katy B. 2NE1. Angel Haze. &so on.

- Accessibility: The main hall and toilets of New Unity are wheelchair accessible. There is disco lighting that moves to the music but no strobes. Music will be loud, but there's also a quieter room for resting yr eardrums. Bathrooms will be gender-neutral. There is plenty of space, so it won't be packed too tight and hot. No alcohol means all ages are welcome. New Unity's a church hall, but is community-rather than faith-based and CYOA's independent and in no way religiously aligned. If you’ve any specific questions or issues, leave or send a message & we'll see what can be done.

There will be security; this isn't ideal, but atm we think it's safer than the risk of anyone making the safe less space for others. Sexual & other harassment won't be tolerated, & nor will transphobia, body policing, misogyny, racism, disablism, or turning up intoxicated - although security are briefed to be aware that some may appear intoxicated due to medication or medical conditions rather than recreational drugs and alcohol.

While a club nite isn't for everyone, & isn't any basis for a utopian project, & while we recognise totally "safe spaces" do not exist in this society, CYOA is committed to doing whatever is reasonably possible to make things as safe as possible. We want everyone to feel able to express their genders & sexualities however they wish without fear of harassment. We want celebration of different bodies & personalities. We don't want cool clubs, & we don't want cool-of-uncoolness clubs. A lot of how this works out in the details is up to you!, but if there's anything making you feel unsafe, then a) on the night, let security or the person on the door know, & b) we'd be happy to discuss in private or public what can be done to help/mitigate - send a message to Angelica (DJ Riot Star).

Lots of ♥ and thanks to everyone who's come, danced, been so supportive of CYOA in 2014, and let's make it even better in the new year!