Double Okay are your dream grassroots, queer and trans artist collective. We are Reading based and host experimental cabaret and drag nights, regular workshops, exhibitions and arts events as a point of local resistance and solidarity. We began in 2018 in response to a lack of queer spaces – since then we have worked closely with local venues and organisations within Reading, creating bridges between both local queer and arts communities.

We create spaces for LGBTQIA+ people to build community, learn new skills and witness different perspectives and experiences. Double Okay’s aim is to create safer spaces for LGBTQIA+ people to access, in turn embedding them within the local community to educate others and decrease stigma against LGBTQIA+ people. We believe there is no such thing as a completely safe space, but that more mechanisms must be put in place for spaces to accommodate queer people in Reading.

We focus prioritise supporting those marginalised within the community, such as trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people. We support LGBTQIA+ practitioners by providing paid opportunities to work with us, and work with partner organisations and venues to strengthen their connection to the LGBTQIA+ community.

We are artists and performers, who want to create spaces where other queer artists and performers can come together with us. We support the development and criticality of queer performance in Reading, and provide spaces that showcase queer talent, as well as chances for mentorship and peer to peer support and development.

1. All LGBT+ Communities
2. Trans People/People with gender histories