The Alternative Parenting Show 2012

Making the ‘dream of having a family a reality’. The event promises to offer a one-stop guide to starting or growing a family. The LGBT focus is clear in their publications and I am quite excited about attending! The event is in association with the London Women’s Clinic.

I am still in two minds about having children and I feel that being exposed to the options, may offer me something I hadn’t yet contemplated.

The event is being held on Saturday 15^th September, at the Connaught rooms in Covent Garden. A vast array of topics is up for discussion including sperm donation, legal advice (with Dawson Cornwell as a headline sponsor), co-parenting and many more.

The informal arrangement has been set up to encourage conversation amongst attendees on a more personal level. The seminars on offer, allow for more in-depth, scientific if you like – exploration of the options available to us. I will be speaking with parents and hopefuls and really am quite intrigued into their experiences.

The seminars will focus on surrogacy (including international), fertility and the social implications and concerns of prospective parents; with the focus of the latter on lesbian couples and single women. The final seminar is from Stonewall, a charity that aims to eradicate homophobia in schools. I think this is an important event in the evolution and preparation for the next generation.

Whatever our opinions on having and raising children, we have got to embrace the fact that we are a part of this society and are well equipped enough to offer children the chance to fulfill their potential.

To book tickets and see more information on the seminars visit the Alternative Parenting Show website.

I’ll be reporting on some of the topics following the day on the Planet London Baby Blog, and you will also be able to read my review of the event shortly afterwards on the Planet London review blog.

By Le Fin

Big Gay Lifestyle Show 2012 - Planet London brings the community together

VISIT PLANET LONDON AND COMMUNITY EVENTS, BUSINESSES AND GROUPS AT THE UK'S BIGGEST INDOOR LGBT LIFESTYLE EVENT

Free entry, Saturday 20 October

In a move to make sure the exhibitors at the event fully reflects lifestyle for lesbian and bi women, Planet London has arranged for a community stall to ensure the events, businesses, DJs and groups we support have a chance to talk to the lesbians and bi women of London face to face.

So far over 20 businesses, event organisers, DJs and groups have signed up to make sure that the lifestyle element of the website truly reflects what women want. 

Confirmed participants so far include (more to follow):

• My Lesbian Radio
• Scene Nomad
• Blue Monday
• Bar Wotever
• Broken Rainbow
• London Friend
• Hailstone Media
• Elysion Events
• GayGirl Net
• L Fest
• LGBTq Clinic
• Lez is More
• The Glass Bar
• Pace
• Safe Zone
• Van Girls

This year's event:

This year's event promises to be bigger and better than last year.  Taking place in the same venue but with a new format and many additions, this looks like the place to be to celebrate the LGBT lifestyle. 

Last year saw a number of exhibitors aiming to capture the LGBT market, alongside a good range of LGBT comedians and musicians on the stage.

This year, the exhibition is broken down into zones covering most aspects of life... family, health, beauty, community and charities, arts and literature, a fun and games zone, and an expert zone with legal and health experts. The exhibition side is complemented by a number of performers - musicians and comedians and following the day time there are a number of after parties.

Full details from the BGLS 

Read our review from the 2011 BGLS

Coming soon: Big Gay Lifestyle Show

Date: Saturday 22 October
Location: The Grand Connaught Rooms, 61-65 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5DA
Time: 11am - 1.30am
Entry: free until 3pm (thanks to last minute sponsorship by G3 and Out in the UK)*/ £20 incl evening access

* you need to register on the website in advance to get the free entry

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This Saturday 22 October is the much anticipated Big Gay Lifestyle Show in the Grand Connaught Rooms, Covent Garden.

Billed as both Europe's biggest gay indoor lifestyle show, and the first of its kind in the UK, the event itself is more like a festival, in that there are in fact a number of events, activities and things to do and see.

Sponsored by Gaydar, supported by Google, and in partnership with Stonewall, this event certainly appears to be launching with a large range of big brands, and a few small ones too (the full list hasn't been released).

11am - 5.30pm

During the day you can pop along to visit the exhibitor stands and walk around the lifestyle village. While you're there you can visit the main stage and see acts including London Gay Men's Chorus, Julie Jepson (comedian) and Funny Women (hosted by Rosie Wilby).

6pm-7.10pm

Gay Bingo and cabaret in the Drawing Room and Edinburgh room keeps you all entertained whilst the grand hall is transformed ready for the evening's entertainment.

7.30pm-1am

The main stage kicks off with a bang, and more acts continue into the night including Pam Ann, Jill Jackson and Slum Civilians (hip hop dance troop).

11pm-7am

There is also now an official after party at Fire in Vauxhall, just flash your wristband from the event and they'll let you in for free!

Limited tickets only are available on the day for the evening section, and your free entry won't get you in, so it is best to get your ticket online in advance to ensure you aren't disappointed. You can buy tickets here.

On top of all that, you can get wine tasting between 12.30 and 2pm with Barefoot Wines, Stonewall are offering 100 free 'Some People Are Gay - Get Over It' t-shirts to the first people through the doors, and there is a chill out zone where you can get a chair massage - and so much more!

We can't wait, and no doubt we'll see many of you at this event at some point!

Review by Naomi, 18 October 2011