A weekly informal space for LGBTQIA+ folks at Edinburgh Fringe to get together, for a bit of camaraderie.
A moment to build peer-to-peer community connections amongst the festival mayhem.
How does it work?
Meet-ups will pop-up in a different venue every Wednesday.
The time-slot shifts slightly each time, with the aim that if you can't make one week/time, hopefully you can make the next one!
If you attend 2 or 3 times, you'll probably meet someone new each time.
📍 DATES & locations
Weds 5th - TBA
Weds 12th - @ Assembly George Sq 11:30-13:00
Weds 19th - @ Fringe Central 12:30-14:00
Weds 26th - TBA
Who's it for?
Everyone under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella is welcome - no one's checking/policing your Queerness.
You don't have to be performing or working at Fringe to join the meet-up.
Its free to join, booking here will allow me to email you any details of how to find us, and help me make sure we have enough chairs, etc!
What'll happen?
We'll have an area reserved. I'll send out an email with directions to folks who've registered, and put some signs up, to help you find us.
I'll bring some blank stickers & pens for you to wear your name (+ your pronouns/job/show - anything you think may be relevant!).
It'll be a fairly informal social. Everyone's attending because they want to connect with other LGBTQIA+ folks, so chat to each other! If you see anyone arriving alone, say hi and welcome them into your convo. We'll maybe have some snacks?
That's it!
It's your time. Chat about whatever you want:
Celebrate Fringe highs, commiserate Fringe woes, plot to destroy Fringe barriers. Swap flyering tricks, and survival tips. Recommend a show other than your own.
Meet someone from another city, country, or continent: exchange tales of your lives outside Fringe. Share your post-fringe plans. Find out about a venue in their hometown that you'd like to visit on your fantasy world tour.
Etc.
Who's organising?
I'm Beth, I'm the founder and co-director of Bechdel Theatre & Queer Diary.
This is my 9th time coming to Fringe. At past Fringes, I've organised and/or attended loads of meet-ups of various kinds. The first thing I did after booking my accommodation for 2026 was ask around: “Who's organising a Queer Meet-up? I wannaconnect with other LGBTQIA+ folks at the festival!" - but I couldn't find anyone organising a meet-up this year* - so I thought I'd try and make it happen!
Being super honest: I don't have time to do much beyond reserving a space each week, and showing up with some stickers for name-badges.
So I'm relying on word-of-mouth to spread about this. Please help by sharing with anyone you think may want to join 💗
See you there,
Beth
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
PS.
*I did find loads of other great things happening - for LGBTQIA+ folks, and other specific communities as well.
Get involved in these too, if they're relevant for you:
I'm sure there's more going on, let's use this meet-up to share the knowledge!
FYI
- Don't assume each other's pronouns or identity, and don't use gendered terms for someone (until you know what they're comfortable with!)
- We won't tolerate discriminatory language or behaviour: including (but not limited to) transphobia, biphobia, homophobia, sexism, racism, xenophobia, classism, ablism, fatphobia.
- I may take photos (if I remember). If you'd prefer not to be in pics, or want to be anonymised/removed from anything I put on socials, let me know I want to make sure I respect your privacy.
- Please do a COVID test, if you can. Do NOT attend if you feel unwell, even if it is “just a cold”. Masks are welcome.
- Accessibility details vary slightly from venue-to-venue, but there will be step-free access and an accessible toilet nearby. Feel free to message if you have any questions about access.