Hello and Welcome Beautiful Humans!
Queer social has wrapped up for 2021 but we will come back in 2022 with new and popular workshops for everyone!
If you’d like to teach with us in 2022, there is a tab below and if you want more information, email us!
Check this short wrap up video for some of the things we got up to 🙂
We wanted to create a space for LGBTQIA+ people to connect outside of party vibes, make new pals and enjoy in the fun of learning new things….
So Laneway Learning and Unicorns teamed up to invent QUEER SOCIAL – a queer workshop and social space for queers, by queers.
Learning new things has so many benefits, from developing new skills to increasing mental wellbeing. And it’s also just fun!
So come and join us for this cute new workshop series and be surrounded by other lovely queer people – you could also meet your new best friend or soul mate! 😉
We will be learning anything and everything – from how to make home-make eco-glitter bath bombs, to money management hot tips and how to crochet a unicorn!
There will also be fun little games to get you mingling and chill times at the end to hang out in our colourful space.
The workshops are also going to be super cheap thanks to a bunch of legend sponsors like City of Melbourne and Bank Australia – thank you x 100 for being on board to support us queers!
ACCESSIBILITY
- Wheelchair Accessible Venue
- Gender Neutral Bathrooms
- Quiet Spaces
- Low Level Music
- Discounted Tickets
- Free Tickets for First Nation Attendees
- Auslan Interpreted Upon Request
WHO IS BEHIND THIS LITTLE IDEA?
Two humans: Maria – Laneway Learning (she/her) and delsi – Unicorns (she/her).
Laneway Learning and Unicorns, are both community organisations that focus on creating spaces for our community.
We do it out of love and passion for developing safer spaces, with open hearts and all our empathy, commitment and energy.
However, there is only two of us so please be mindful that we might take some time to get back to you.
Artwork by @plasticmessiah
Upcoming Classes
Queer Social Darebin: Boxing for Everyone with Emily
Ever wanted to try out boxing in a supportive, fun environment were everyone is welcomed? That space is Pony Club Gym and this class will have to throwing upper cuts in no time! Come and have a play, move a little and discover how much fun boxing is. This event will be half social chats…
- 2nd May, 2024
- 6:30pm - 8:30pm (AEST)
- 488 High St, Preston VIC 3072, Australia
Queer Social Footscray: Knitting 101 with Lucie
Jazz up your accessories cupboard with your very own handmade woolies. We will learn to knit and get the basics down so you can be sporting your own scarf, hat and gloves combo in no time! All materials are provided, come along for some fun. This event will be half social chats with a bunch…
- 2nd May, 2024
- 6:30pm - 8:30pm (AEST)
- 3 Harris St, Yarraville VIC 3013, Australia
Queer Social Darebin: Learn Sewing via Plush Hearts with Robert
Learn hand sewing basics while creating a cute plushie heart that can be used as a key chain or home decor! Together we'll learn how to work with plush fabric, read and cut a simple pattern and some basic stitches to get us going. Come and join us for a queer good time! This event…
- 9th May, 2024
- 6:30pm - 8:30pm (AEST)
- 218 High St, Preston VIC 3072, Australia
Queer Social Footscray: Doodling and Sketching for a Sense of Calm with Felix
Mindful doodling is about using your hands to help you focus, learning a skill to quiet your thoughts, and drawing something silly- because art should be fun! We’ll learn a mindfulness technique to help you decompress when stressed or have racing thoughts, and pair it up with learning to draw something cute and easy. By…
- 16th May, 2024
- 6:30pm - 8:30pm (AEST)
- 3 Harris St, Yarraville VIC 3013, Australia
Queer Social Darebin: Sex – Pleasure Anatomy for Every-Body with Louise
This class is all about pleasure! Queer sex educator Louise Bourchier will teach you the ins-and-outs of sexual anatomy so you can maximise pleasure in your sex life (whether solo or partnered). Rather than the heteronormative, reproductive focus most of us learned in school, Louise’s style of grown-up sex ed focuses on the feel-good aspects.…
- 6th Jun, 2024
- 6:30pm - 8:30pm (AEST)
- 488 High St, Preston VIC 3072, Australia
That workshop was life changing.
Queer Social Attendee (September 2021)
OMG I have missed Unicorns and the community around it. Seeing everyone at Queer Social made me feel like I could get through this pandemic.
Queer Social Attendee (October 2021)
The second the workshop ended, I recommended it to 3 other queer friends. Lockdown has been hell on mental healthy. Counselling and psychiatry offices are booked, their waitlists are closed. This isn't the cure, but let me tell you - I'm having the first good day in months and I owe it all to last nights workshop. Thank you.
Queer Social Attendee (October 2021)
These events are fulfilling an overlooked need for queer disabled folk in Melbourne. I appreciate that the topics are fun and uplifting. We need more of this.
Queer Social Attendee (August 2021)
Just fill this form if you’d like to teach a class at Queer Social!
All teachers are paid and will be invited to a thank you party at the end of the workshop series.
We might receive quite a few applications so we may not be able to get back to all of you. But we will defo keep everyones application on file in case we find a suitable future spot.
We are looking for volunteers to help us host these fabulous classes. Please read the information here and fill the form (selecting Queer Social in class format).
If you are feeling distress or need someone to talk to there is always someone who will listen.
Here are some fantastic organisations and helplines that we recommend contacting:
Past Queer Socials
SOLD OUT – Queer Social Darebin – Queer Auslan with Hadley
Come and learn how to have a conversation with D/deaf and hard of hearing queers who use Auslan (Australian Sign Language). We will explore queer specific Auslan signs as well as do's and don'ts when approaching D/deaf and hard of hearing people. This event will be half social chats with a bunch of like minded queer…
Queer Social Footscray: Collage for the Soul with Yianni
Collage isn't new, it been around for thousands of years. But collage can allow us to be kids again. Think outside of the square and construct imaginary worlds, scenarios and even poetry. Discover how collage can help us loosen up, relax and even discover things about ourselves. Lets have fun and have some interesting conversations…
Queer Social Darebin: The Art of Shibari with Harli
Join us for a guided journey into the exciting world of rope bondage. Designed for curious, caring creatures, this class will explore the artform’s potential for profound intimacy, connection and trust building. We will learn the important foundations of safety and rope-craft before learning some basic yet effective techniques for empowering your inner rope-top. The lesson structure is designed…
Queer Social Footscray: Sex – Pleasure Anatomy for Every-Body with Louise
This class is all about pleasure! Queer sex educator Louise Bourchier will teach you the ins-and-outs of sexual anatomy so you can maximise pleasure in your sex life (whether solo or partnered). Rather than the heteronormative, reproductive focus most of us learned in school, Louise’s style of grown-up sex ed focuses on the feel-good aspects.…
Queer Social Darebin: Intro to Pottery with Maddy
Come and explore the world of pottery and clay modelling! Maddy will guide you through an introduction to pottery, supporting you to make your own piece of pottery art from air-dry clay. You might like to make an engraved plate, a little pinch pot or both! At the end of the workshop you will walk…
SOLD OUT – Queer Social Footscray: Textured Acrylic Painting with Robert
Get grounded and feel like a child again with this textured painting class! Have you seen those videos on Tiktok with the palettes and blobs of paint? Well, this is your class! Mix Paint with a variety of mediums such as sand, gesso, charcoal, flour, leaves etc to create textured masterpieces. Use a variety of…
Queer Social Darebin: DIY Screen Print a Tote Bag with Maddy
This introduction to screen printing is a hands-on workshop where we will get our hands dirty making original, fun tote bags - perfect to take to the market! This class will cover techniques needed to start you on your way to screen printing success and how to bring your ideas to life with easy techniques.…
Queer Social Footscray: Big Bold Polymer Clay Jewellery with Maria
Polymer clay is an accessible, colourful and versatile material - a lot of fun to use, but even better with some introductory tips to get you going. There are different types of clays and bake times, and different techniques to create shapes, blend colours, emboss, and express your colourful polymer visions! We'll put this into practice and…
Queer Social Moorabbin: Cheeky Clay Ornaments with Maddy
Come and explore the hands-on fun of pottery and clay modelling! In this workshop we'll work with embossing sheets and elements to create fun textures in our ornaments. We'll also have golden and silver foil, lettering, ribbons. . . we'll also have a huge amount of cheeky fun quotes and ideas! Join us and make a…
Queer Social Moorabbin: Soap Making 101 with Maddy
Soap is a staple, everyday item, but do we really understand how it's made and how it works? Let alone how to make good choice about what soap to use - for our skin and for the environment? In this hands-on class you'll learn all about the natural chemical reaction that creates soap, what to look…
Queer Social Moorabbin: Intro to Linocut with Emilie
More than just a floor covering! Did you know that linocut has been used in printing for over a century and this technique was originally for making wallpaper? Printing with linocut is similar to woodcut printmaking but a bit easier to work with (because it has no grain to consider like wood). In this…
Queer Social Moorabbin: Snap Button Jewellery with Raize
Would you like to accessorise yourself with a handmade pin or ring that proudly celebrates your gender and/or sexuality? This snap button rings and pins allow you to change the top and have lots of different designs in one. What a cute way to let others know that you are part of the community! …
Queer social is supported, as part of the Social Partnership program, by The City of Melbourne council.
We also received a customer impact grant from Bank Australia.
