No One Is Just One Thing!
Group of people hugging each other. No faces. Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash
Open Minds Group Sept 2021 - No One Is Just One Thing!
The Open Minds Project was designed as a space for LGBTQ+ Punjabi people to connect with each other. The idea for the project started in 2019 out of a conversation between Taraki and Sarbat Sikhs who wanted to improve the wellbeing of Punjabi LGBTQ+ people in London.
The group used to take place in central London but when the pandemic happened, we moved to an online-only meeting. This has been a great success and we’ve really enjoyed being able to connect with so many people across the world. In saying this we know that a lot of people find online meetings difficult and we’re still trying to work out the best way of getting back to in-person events.
Our first step towards this was our Art Collective meet up which took place on the 26th of September. We had a lovely day visiting the National Gallery in London and having lunch in Soho Square. We had the kind of relaxed conversations that you can’t really have over Zoom and really enjoyed getting to know each other.
Our identities are complicated things and we show different sides of ourselves depending on who we’re around or what we’re doing. We love the fact that the people who use the Open Minds Project are such an interesting mix of people from all parts of the world and at this month’s online meeting we wanted to change things a little and give you all time to get to know each other a bit more.
We talked about the things that are important to us, the things that we enjoy doing, and what we were most proud of. In the feedback, people said that they enjoyed learning more about each other and that it was good to be reminded that we are more than our sexualities.
If you feel shamed or upset by someone for being LGBTQ+ remember that it’s their ignorance, not yours that’s the problem. Also remember that your sexuality or gender is just one part of you and it’s important to look after the other parts of your identity too. It’s those other parts that can give us strength when being LGBTQ+ is challenging or tough.
Our strength is not in our sameness - it’s in our uniqueness. Our LGBTQ+ identities are amazing but remember that no one is just one thing. It’s important for you to enjoy all the things that you are and make sure you take the time to celebrate all the things that make you - you!
We meet on the last Wednesday of each month and if you want to join us at an Open Minds Meeting, please visit the Events page on our website.
The Open Minds Project
