Funny Girls
Blackpool's best-known drag cabaret, staging big themed revues in a restored 1939 art deco cinema two minutes from Blackpool North.
Asexual people in Blackpool
What asexual means, the ace spectrum, Pluto MCR, sociable things to do away from the bars, and support.
Asexual (ace) people feel little or no sexual attraction to other people. It is the A in LGBTQIA+. Asexuality is a spectrum, and Stonewall uses "ace" as an umbrella that includes:
- Demisexual: sexual attraction only after a close emotional bond.
- Greysexual or grey-ace: rare, weak or occasional sexual attraction.
- Aroace: asexual and aromantic.
Asexuality is not the same as celibacy, which is a choice, and it is not a medical problem. Asexual people may still feel romantic attraction, fall in love and have relationships; some have sex for other reasons, and others don't. Romantic attraction is a separate thing: see aromantic.
Blackpool's scene, from an ace point of view
Blackpool's nightlife is famously flirty, and parts of it, like the saunas, cruise clubs and men-only hotels, are explicitly about sex. That doesn't mean the quarter isn't for you. Drag cabaret, karaoke, quizzes, bingo and Sunday roasts are about laughing with friends.
Garlands
A camp, free-entry drag pub near Blackpool North where resident queens are on from mid-afternoon every single day.
The Flying Handbag
A big, purpose-built LGBTQ+ bar and club on Queen Street, open from noon every day with drag hosts, karaoke, food and a sun terrace.
The Dame Lane
A B&B with its own bar on Pleasant Street, on the northern edge of the quarter, with bingo afternoons, DJs and singers.
See karaoke, bingo and quiz nights, daytime and quiet bars and Sunday roasts.
Groups
There is no ace group in Blackpool at the time of writing. The nearest is Pluto MCR in Manchester, about an hour and a quarter by train, on the third Wednesday of each month.
Pluto MCR
A monthly social group in Manchester for asexual and aromantic people, including demi, grey and questioning people.
Groups that aren't about dating are often where ace people feel most at home:
Electric Pink Voices
Blackpool's LGBTQ+ community choir, which rehearses every Tuesday evening and welcomes new members.
LGBTQ+ Swimming Group, Blackpool
A free monthly hour in the pool just for LGBTQ+ swimmers, with a qualified coach and unisex changing rooms.
Blackpool FC Community Trust LGBTQ+ football
Inclusive recreational football for LGBTQ+ people and allies of any ability, run by Blackpool FC's community charity.
Blackpool Allies
A free, relaxed social evening twice a month for LGBT+ people and anyone who supports them, at the Horizon centre on Dickson Road.
Online
- AVEN (the Asexual Visibility and Education Network) at asexuality.org has the largest ace forum and information library.
- Aces and Aros at acesandaros.org lists community groups.
- Ace Week at aceweek.org runs every October.
Ace health
Some ace people are pressured to "get checked" or told they'll grow out of it. If a health professional treats your asexuality as something to fix, you can ask for a different clinician. LGBTQ+-aware services in Blackpool include Horizon on Dickson Road.
Horizon LGBTQ+ at Renaissance
The Rainbow Quarter's LGBTQ+ health centre, offering sexual health clinics, rapid testing, HIV support, counselling and harm reduction on Dickson Road.
Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline
A free national listening and information line, by phone, chat and email, staffed by LGBTQIA+ volunteers.
Awareness dates
Ace Week is the last full week of October. The asexual flag has four stripes: black, grey, white and purple.
Sources
Sexual and romantic orientation: more pages
LesbianMixed bars, women-friendly stays, the nearest lesbian socials, and the history of Lucy's and Kings.GayThe bars, men-only hotels and saunas, bears, health clinics, peer support and fifty years of history.BisexualWelcoming venues, BiPhoria and other groups, health services and bi history at Blackpool Pride.PansexualWhat pansexual means, how it differs from bi, and welcoming places and groups.AromanticWhat aromantic means, the aro spectrum, the nearest group, friendship-first socials and awareness week.QueerWhat queer means today, plus queer art, heritage, alternative drag and community in Blackpool.QuestioningGentle first steps, confidential helplines, youth groups and low-pressure places to start.CuriousWhat curious means, welcoming venues, men-only places, safer sex, consent and support.Every identityThe full list, the long acronyms and UK law.