It's been a hard but really satisfying four years, building the UK's biggest Festival for LGBTQ+ women and those who are non-binary.

But my story began long before 2020. 

I did not come out until I was 41. I had been in a relationship with a woman in my late teens, but when I got to University, was persuaded that this was just a right of passage. So I fell into relationships with men, but it never felt quite right.

Eventually I came out fully, after meeting a woman I really wanted to build a relationship with. Part of my coming out journey involved going to Pride in London, so when they put a call out for a volunteer Sponsorship & Fundraising Director I was excited to join.

I was on the Board for 5 years, and in the time, I became increasingly aware of how Pride and most LGBTQ+ events were really designed by and for those identifying as male.

I was proud to have played a key role in designing and delivering the Women's Stage in Leicester Square, but still heard from women and those who were non-binary, that they were looking for something different.

In lockdown, whilst consulting a DIVA Media, I set up DIVA Community Facebook group. Back then we had no idea how long lockdown would last. But through moderating the pages, I saw a renewed interest in women and non-binary peeps wanting to find a space they could connect with others.

I originally started with meet ups in London. And then, through serendipity I was introduced to Amber Lort-Phillips who ran a Festival called the Big Retreat in Wales.

After meeting Amber and visiting her beautiful site, I ran a pilot weekend with around 30 attendees, and everyone who attended told me to launch a festival.

It was scary to do. Festivals are hard to make work. And we still had so much uncertainty linked to COVID. But that weekend in Wales I had walked the site and manifested what would become Out & Wild.

I imagined a space where LGBTQ+ women and those who are non-binary, could gather and connect through shared experiences. If I closed my eyes, I could almost see and feel the love, support and kindness. 

I managed to get a 3 year grant from the Welsh Government, some amazing volunteers, and invested some of my own money. It was scary, but I felt the timing was right. I told myself I would go for it, and if I failed at least I would know I had tried.

The first Out & Wild Festival took place in June 2022. We had around 250 attendees. 3 years on we are now planning Out & Wild in Devon and have already sold over 500 tickets and are expecting 1000 people.

I will admit, as a woman in her 50s, I sometimes wonder if it would have been easier to have just stuck at a corporate job. But, as my mum always told me, it's not all about taking the easy route. 

I have learnt so much in the last 4 years. Not just about running a business, but about me as well. As women we are often under estimated and lack confidence. Through running Out & Wild, I have learnt how to have the tools (and networks) to grow my self confidence.

I get very frustrated by the misogyny that exists in the queer world. I cannot tell you the amount of sponsors who are not interested in supporting events for LGBTQ+ women and tell me they are 'too niche'. I even got told 'gay men are upmarket, gay women and downmarket'. But I will keep the pressure on. 

I have also just stuck to my vision, of creating safe, fun and supportive spaces where women and those who are non-binary can connect through shared experiences. My amazing team of core volunteers all share this core belief and build experiences around it. It's what makes Out & Wild so special. 

I often get asked what I love most about Out & Wild. For me it's just seeing the joy, love and laughter it brings. In a world that can often feel challenging, hard and (sadly) unsafe for women and those that are non-binary, having these spaces where we can truly belong, even just for 3 days, is vital.