Diversity, Inclusion and Welfare
At Queer Voices Glasgow we strive for an inclusive environment.
We are achieving this via:
- Making our gigs and rehearsal spaces as physically accessible as possible.
- Having no audition process - simply holding open rehearsals at certain points of the year for new intake of members.
- Queer Voices Glasgow is open to any that self describe as part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Queer Voices Glasgow does not have traditional naming conventions for the choir sections and does not restrict the movement of singers between these sections based on Gender.
- Our rehearsal space has gender neutral toilets and accessible toilets.
- Queer Voices Glasgow Supports local gig spaces.
- Queer Voices Glasgow is open to members from different economic backgrounds having a suggested donation with no mandatory.
- we have all of our music and recordings of different parts accessible to members.
However we are still learning as a Community lead Choir and a few things that we would love to improve upon, are as follows:
- Having more POC voices both in our choir and in our Committee.
- Working with other Choirs from outwith and inside the UK.
- Diversifying our repertoire in both genre, Language and culture.
Our Statement on the UK Supreme court ruling and Trans Rights
It has been an incredibly difficult few months for our community - that is why we thought it pertinent to highlight that Queer voices Glasgow is and will always be an trans inclusive space.
This statement is also on all of our Social media.
Trans rights are human rights.
Queer Voices Glasgow are deeply fearful for the trans community following the Supreme Court Ruling - people's basic rights to dignity and safety are on the line - and there are very serious implications for how people will access essential public services, including healthcare. We are already seeing incredibly worrying interim policies being introduced.
To our existing and potential members: Queer Voices Glasgow is a safe space for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community and always will be.
Trans rights are human rights and we will stand with you.
To anyone else reading this: People in the trans community are scared and hurting right now. They may be your friends, your children, your work colleagues, your neighbours, the people you pass on the street. We encourage you to reach out to them, and stand with them in solidarity.
Queer Voices Glasgow accessibility statement
Introduction
Queer Voices Glasgow is a community choir for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community to meet, socialise and enjoy singing together. You don’t have to be from Glasgow to come along – we have many members who travel from outside Glasgow. We aim to be welcoming, friendly and non-judgemental. There are no auditions to join Queer Voices Glasgow, and you don't need to be able to read music or have experience singing in a choir. We hold open rehearsals at regular points throughout the year for new members to come along.
We are funded primarily by member donations and any money we make from performances and fund raising activities. We are open to members from different economic backgrounds so do not have a mandatory donation system. We suggest £5 weekly, but recognise that people’s financial situation can fluctuate so people can pay more or less than the suggested amount depending on their own circumstances.
Where do we meet
We meet on Friday evenings in the large hall at Queen's Park Govanhill Church of Scotland, 170 Queen’s Drive, Glasgow, G42 8QZ. The rehearsal runs from 7.30pm to 9.30pm but we open the hall at 6.30pm to set up the space and also as an opportunity for socialising before the rehearsal starts. The rehearsal space is fully accessible by wheelchair. All the toilets are gender neutral including the accessible toilet.
We have a short break in the rehearsal at approximately 8.30 to 8.45. There is a kitchen at the back of the practice space which we use to make our refreshments. People are asked to donate biscuits etc if they are able to.
We have access to a small room within the large hall for anyone who wants quiet space and there are 2 seated areas with large sofas at one end of the rehearsal space which can also be used when you want quieter space.
Getting there
The nearest train station is Queens Park station off Victoria Road, Glasgow. There are regular trains to and from Glasgow Central station. The station is not accessible or step free. There are regular buses to and from Glasgow city centre to Victoria Road and from there it is a short 5 minute walk to the rehearsal space. There are usually free on street parking spaces nearby.
Rehearsals and performances
Each rehearsal starts with a gentle physical and vocal warm-up led by our experienced Musical Director.
Printed copies of lyrics and musical scores can be made available for rehearsals, but if you can print your own that is helpful. Members have access to our choir google drive which has lyrics, musical scores and practice tracks for all the music we are singing or performing, and many members use their phone or iPad to access this for rehearsals.
We do not have traditional naming conventions for the choir sections and do not restrict the movement of singers between these sections based on gender. We have 3 groups – group 1 which is the higher sound, group 2 which is the middle sound and group 3 which is the lower sound.
We perform in different spaces and venues and prioritise accessibility in deciding whether to perform, for example ensuring the performance space/building is accessible and step free with an accessible toilet. We ask that we have access to gender neutral toilets, but we can’t always guarantee this.
You do not have to take part in performances if you don’t want to. When we are close to a performance, we may ask people who are not performing to sit out of a song we are rehearsing but you are welcome to attend, join in the warm up, listen and socialise as usual. We sometimes arrange optional sectionals which tend to take place outside rehearsal times. This is where the 3 groups meet individually to practice their part in the lead up to a performance.
Health, wellbeing and disabilities
We aim to make our performances and rehearsals as accessible and inclusive as possible for people with any health conditions or disabilities which may be physical, mental, cognitive or intellectual. If there is anything which will make it easier for you to come to and participate in choir please let us know.
We have a welfare and accessibility officer on our committee who you can talk to about any matters of concern or anything that we can do to make things more accessible. Or you can talk to any member of the committee – their details are on our website and there are committee members at every rehearsal.
You can contact the welfare and accessibility officer via welfare@queervoicesglasgow.org.uk or via our general email address hello@queervoicesglasgow.org.uk
At the back of our space we have a quiet room with a close able door for some quiet if the practice space becomes a bit too overstimulating.
There are multiple chairs.
Both facing into the room and out o the room.
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