We talk to Little Gay Brother
Two of the most exciting collectives join forces for a VR experience like no other this week forming Love is Not Cancelled. HE SHE THEY + Little Gay Brother two of London’s most iconic outfits will take to the stage Lost Horizon. We caught up with Clayton from Little Gay Brother about the show and the creativity behind it.
We are super excited to see what HE.SHE.THEY + Little Gay Brother have in store for this show. Can you give us any hints as to what we can expect?
This is a first of its kind, totally unique streaming experience that is going to leave every cyber geek, house and techno lover absolutely blown away to virtual heaven. Some of the biggest names and heroes from dance music have united to remind the queer community, that “They are loved”. It’s also a beautiful chance for our two brands to come together and show the world who we are and what we believe in.
I want to thank HE.SHE.THEY for all their hard work and support on this. This collaboration was totally born out of mutual respect and admiration for each other's work, and the love for the different parts of the community both brands represent. It's an important chance for us to unite queer people together through the music we love, whilst supporting the community at the same time. Now that's a fucking Queer Xmas celebration!
Tell us more about how important this event is, and why you chose to support Opening Doors with it.
The work of Opening Doors is vitally important to the mental health and well-being of the LGBTQIA+ community. Opening Doors now support the over 50s nationally, not just in London, and provide services that remind people that they are not alone.
In 2020, ODL’s services have provided a lifeline to people isolating with no support, to the LGBTQ+ BAME community, to BAME refugees, and to the carers of loved ones with Dementia. This event is a reminder to anyone feeling alone, for whatever reason, “We see you. We love you. We’re here for you”.
This year has been a lot, but in the midst of a pandemic you launched your Love Is Not Cancelled campaign working alongside Opening Doors London who look after the over 50s LGBTQIA+ community most at risk. Can you tell us about this vital campaign you have been working on.
As the clubs closed in April of this year, and our carefully laid plans for 2020 went up in smoke, Little Gay Brother recognised that our events maybe cancelled, but love wasn’t, that’s how “Love is not cancelled” was created.
It was our way of bringing some much needed positivity back to this awful year, and on a personal level when my mental health was at its worst this summer, it gave me a reason to get out of bed in the morning. It helped me look outside of myself and recognise the situation some of the over 50s found themselves in; some isolating with low immune systems, some too scared to go out, some struggling with their own mental health, and even some ODL members dying without anyone able to cover the costs of their funeral. We had to help.
“Love is not cancelled” was a rally call to the community to help and support our most vulnerable in their time of need. We were supported by huge names across music and nightlife like Annie Mac, Billy Porter and Pet Shop Boys; and as a result we raised £10,000 and set up a telephone befriending service for ODL members which supported hundreds of people across London. ODL’s services are now available nationally, because of their important work this summer.
Little Gay Brother’s energy at live shows is unrivalled. Lost Horizon is the most immersive VR experience out there - are you looking forward to being able to interact with the audience virtually?
This is actually Little Gay Brother’s first stream, EVER! And it’s in VR.
It’s been such a creative first for us; turning the dancers into avatars, recording everyone in front of green screens, creating a virtual world, it’s been a mind blowing experience for us that we are so thankful for, and we can’t wait for our friends and fans to, finally, be reunited on this virtual dancefloor.
Christmas can be such a weird time for so many LGBTQ+ people who feel that they can not be themselves over the holidays for many reasons. This stream is a chance for us to actually interact with others from the community, from home. It means queer people can be themselves, listen to the music that unites us, chat to each other, and hopefully feel a sense of belonging that so many have missed, that connection that only clubbing gives us.
