A vibrant underground LGBTQ and women’s only DJ workshop brought Sheffield’s queer community together yesterday for a night of empowerment through music.
The Gut Level is a LGBTQ community space whose mission is to address the lack of queer and women’s DJs in Sheffield’s music scene, by providing a safe space and tools for underrepresented communities.
Co-founder of Gut Level, Frazer Scoot, 31, said: “When there is a lack of a gay scene you’ll leave the city in search of a community, a partner, or friends. Dempsey is the biggest gay club in Sheffield you go there to get wasted, it’s not really a space to make meaningful connections.
“So far we got amazing feedback, people seem enjoy these sessions.”
The workshop included a step-by-step tutorial, creating your own DJ mix, and a celebration afterwards.
Dani Naylor, a 25 years-old Sheffield based artist, a regular at the Gut Level was one of the attendances of the workshop.
He said: “I came here today to improve my DJ-ing skills the workshops made me feel safe, because they provides a safe space, it gives you freedom to be yourself. A lot of the time in none queer spaces it takes time to figure out if you’re safe or not.”
Nonetheless, in comparison to Manchester and Leeds Sheffield’s gay scene has been criticised for being lacking, with limited spaces to meet other queer people in the city.
Frazer Scott said: “Our mission is to make Sheffield a home for marginalised groups by providing a home through events like the DJ workshop.”
Gut Level changed its location numerous times, previously based in Leeds their latest venue in Sheffield is located near the Moor Market, and is open and run by members only.
Mr Scott said: “ We are temporarily in this venue to hold workshops and community spaces. Our future goal is have more stability, longer opening hours and a bigger venue where we can hold club nights and all sorts of activities.”
Despite their online presence co-founder Scott wants organic growth for the organisation.
“We want to keep Gut Level underground and prevent over commercialisation we’re not doing this for profit. We put people first and provide a range of affordable memberships.”
Scott has a positive out for the future of Sheffield as he feels people are staying behind to build a community.
