Queer Family Tea aims to provide a sober space for the Manchester queer community to come together.

What to expect?

The main focus is chatting with peers while preparing and eating food, however, you do not need to eat or if you want to bring your own food then please feel free.

People will be either preparing food and making drinks or sat around chatting at the various tables.

There will be an area where people can sit and relax or read without having to mix with others, as well as a couple of activities, one quiet and one more chatty.

We want the event to be welcoming to everyone so please take that into account when you come along and encourage others to join you if you think that is appropriate.

About us:

QFT is a volunteer-led community group that hosts events and we strive to create a safe and respectful environment for all attendees and volunteers.

We are not a formal service and no one is paid for running QFT so please consider this when you engage with us on or offline.

We are just a bunch of queers who believe there should be regular places for queers to socialise outside of bars and clubs.

To protect the mental health of volunteers we are only willing to engage in good faith conversations about what we do and how we can improve.

Everything is managed by volunteers however we have had small grants for room hire, food and putting on cabarets and events.

Our principles:

We acknowledge the importance of individual responsibility in fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity.

Although QFT recognises that no space can be completely safe, we believe that having a set of guidelines is important to create a welcoming atmosphere.

What we ask from you:

Attendees are asked to consider the following: QFT is an alcohol and drug-free environment both before and during the event.

Please respect this as there may be people attending who are in active recovery or people who use QFT to engage with the queer community in a sober environment.

Acknowledge your privileges and actively challenge them.

Be aware of the different kinds of identities (gender, race, sexuality, class, ability) that people may identify with and avoid making generalisations or assumptions about people, particularly based on physical characteristics.

Use language that affirms people's identities and is respectful of others.

Marginalising behaviour or language will not be tolerated.

Respect the physical space and the building in which the event is being held. QFT works with trusted partners and hopes to continue using their space.

Be aware that anyone in our space could be a survivor of any sort of oppression such as racism, transphobia or violence.

Principles and expectations:

Respect the emotional and physical boundaries of others in the space. Do not touch not touch or engage with anyone without their explicit and ongoing consent and respect the physical space of attendees.

Only take photos or videos of people you personally know or have gained consent from. Many attendees may not be ‘out’ in certain situations and the safety of all individuals should be respected.

QFT is committed to creating a space where everyone feels respected and celebrated and the volunteers are here to support and listen to attendees.

If you see or experience a problem:

If you witness or hear oppressive behaviours or language. Please challenge this, or if you do not feel comfortable, bring it to the attention of the QFT team. If we ignore these behaviours then we are complicit in it which is not acceptable to us.

If conflicts arise, QFT volunteers (clearly identifiable) will be available to help resolve the situation.