Queer as... the curriculum

Sex educators and queer speakers from across the UK take part in a series of discussions at Contact as part of their Queer as F**k programme.

Join us for a panel discussion exploring the history of sex education, the situation right now, and how we can do it better – with speakers including Ruby Rare, Rosy Pendlebaby and Lauren Duffy from the LGBT Foundation. Then sit down with a zine from our pop-up 101 Queer Zines library, and make a zine of your own with the Drawn Poorly team.

Ruby Rare is a pink-haired sex educator, author, and public speaker on a mission to get people talking more confidently and inclusively about sex. Her work is influenced by her experiences as a queer, non-monogamous, dual-heritage person. She’s a proud ambassador for Brook, the UK’s leading sexual health charity for young people, and co-founder of Body Love Sketch Club. In 2020 her debut book Drawn Poorly is a Manchester-based project providing creative opportunities focussed on illness and disability. Through zines, workshops and creative projects, we’re dedicated to platforming experiences of illness and disability, providing space and connecting people. stigma and encouraging conversations about living with chronic illness, disability and mental illness. Sex Ed: A Guide for Adults was published by Bloomsbury, and her new podcast series In Touch is out now. In her spare time, Ruby eats an obscene amount of vegan jelly, watches the Powerpuff girls, and collects vintage peignoirs.

Rosy Pendlebaby is a performer, facilitator, and activist, working in the UK and internationally, making work that explores the intersection of creativity, pleasure, and transformation. She is director of Revolting Arts Club and co-founder of Body Love Sketch Club, both playful workshop spaces for self-expression and exploration. She enjoys eating cake in bed, running around in her pants, and reading and writing smut. 

Lauren Duffy is the Sexual Health Lead at LGBT Foundation, and has been part of the sexual health team since 2017. With a BSc in Sexual Health, she’s also a certified sexpert! She’s passionate about sexual wellbeing and has consistently pushed for further inclusion in services within and beyond LGBT Foundation.

Drawn Poorly is a Manchester-based project providing creative opportunities focussed on illness and disability. Through zines, workshops and creative projects, they’re dedicated to platforming experiences of illness and disability, providing space and connecting people. Their founder Rose Sergent has run zine-making workshops across Greater Manchester and in online spaces. 

The 101 Queer Zines pop-up is a collaboration with Manchester LGBT Zine Library. Founded in 2014 by Hebe Phillips with The Proud Trust, the full Library is located in their new building on Sidney Street.