Stay Positive, Stay Active, Stay Entertained!

During this time of social distancing and self-isolation, it is vital to keep safe and important to stay positive, active and entertained. Happy Valley Pride has produced some useful links and resources to help.

We will keep adding to the list over the coming weeks and encourage you to provide your suggestions and recommendations on our Facebook page.

The resources are listed are free to access – simply click the links below for more information.

Useful Links

Stay Positive!

Healthy Minds Calderdale – Calderdale’s local mental health charity is led by people who have personal experience of emotional distress. They have a number of services available during this time.

LGBT Foundation – Delivering advice, support and information services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities. They have a dedicated page for specific advice related to services available during the current crisis.

Stonewall – The website includes information on how LGTBTQ+ organisations are coming together during the current crisis. They also have a Stonewall home learning pack for teachers and parents.

Stay Active!

Dolly Trolley – Join in with Drag Aerobics on Facebook and Instagram every Wednesday, 7.30 to 8.30pm.

To The Max Fitness – Free online sessions are available from Happy Valley Pride supporter Max.

Cooking with Antoni from Queer Eye – As well as exercise, it is important to keep nourished and Antoni provides quick and easy recipes on his Instagram.

Stay Entertained!

Podcasts

There are a huge range of podcast available – check out the best LGBTQ+ Podcasts according to Attitude. Here are some of our additional favourites.

Queer Margins – A podcast hearing from the voices on the margins of the LBGTQ+ community.

Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness – Jonathan from Queer Eye gets curious about a range of different things! Go with him on his journey to find out more.

OUT with Suzi Ruffell – The fantastic lesbian comedian Suzi Ruffell, who played Happy Valley Pride last year, launches a new podcast on the 6 April. She looks at the lives of LGBTQ+ people, coming out and finding your place in the world – for anyone has ever felt like an outsider.

Film Recommendations

Beautiful Thing – The fantastic film from 1996 by Jonathan Harvey is now available on Channel 4.

BFI Flare at home – you can experience selections from BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival’s 2020 programme from the comfort of your couch with a free 14-day trial.

Rafiki – All 4 – A moving drama exploring attitudes and laws around LGBTQ+ rights in Kenya. The daughters of two opposing politicians fall in love in this award-winning film. In English and Swahili/subs.

TV Recommendations

Feel Good – All 4 – New LGBTQ+ comedy drama created by and starring Mae Martin.

Sugar Rush – All 4 – Classic drama series based on the novel by Julie Burchill. Teenager Kim moves to Brighton and develops an earth-shattering, hormone-surging crush on her new best friend, Sugar.

Queer As Folk – All 4 – Ground breaking drama from the nineties that chronicles the lives of three gay men living in Manchester’s gay village around Canal Street.

Years and Years – BBC iPlayer – From Russell T Davies, an ordinary family contend with an uncertain future in that begins in 2019 and propels the characters 15 years forward into an unstable world.

Music

Club Quarantine – A daily online queer party – more details on their Instagram account.

Jinkx Monsoon Playlist – Friend of Happy Valley Pride and RuPaul’s Drag Race winner, Jinkx Monsoon present their quarantine playlist (spotify:playlist:6RlQ9BoPrvLp0uFWfXnHZ)

Art

Face of Frida – A look at the life and work of artist Frida Kahlo.

Keith Haring and Michael Basquiat: Crossing lines, a virtual art tour – National Gallery of Victoria present Queer artists Keith Haring and Michael Basquiat.

Other stuff

Vox Tox – daily pearls of wisdom from Sandi Togsvig

OutSavvy – the UK’s ticketing company, proudly raising money for LGBTQ+ charities. They have info on loads of great lockdown events such as virtual Cabaret from Annabelszki & Friends, Isolation Bingo with Charlie Hides, a Big Online Quiz from Pride in Surrey and much more… Updated regularly.

Go out without going out!

It is easy to go out without leaving your living room. You could watch the Bolshoi Ballet, or maybe a West End Musical is more your thing. You could take a tour of Tate Britain or keep an eye on the animals at Edinburgh Zoo. Maybe take a trip to Machu Picchu or browse The Lourve. We live in a time when the world is at our fingertips.