Meet ups in Thanet for LGBTQ+ folk who like to do stuff

If ever there was a marker of a community, the breadth and volume of Thanet’s LGBTQ+ meet up groups is a good one.

Organisations such as Margate Pride and Margate Black Pride are great resources and advocates for the community, with Ramsgate Pride and Broadstairs Pride also great points of contact.

Gay bars and venues like CAMP, Margate Arts Club and Alley Bar are busy hubs, with a full programme of cabaret, performance and and events throughout the year beyond drinking and dancing, although there’s that too. Margate Queer Library and Archive is also actively harnessing Thanet's LGBTQ+ community.

However, with groups for everything from sunset watching and circus to self-defence classes for trans people and socials for older people, Thanet’s LGBTQ+ meet up groups are full flavoured, speaking to the diversity and creativity within the community, and its political and social charge. 

Margate Pride’s Engagement Coordinator, Ellie Powling says the volume of meetups is due to Thanet’s DIY-culture and an engaged community. 

“The community has really delivered,” Ellie says. “We are so grateful that our community is showing up and making spaces that mean there is literally something for everyone. 

“Living in such a DIY place never gets old so Thanet queers never stop starting new, incredibly niche social groups.

“Queer sunset watching is the queerest thing we’ve ever heard!”

While there are several running and crafting groups about the place, Ellie says meetup groups are vital for the LGBTQ+ community. 

“We historically have been, and continue to be, marginalised and targeted by homophobic, transphobic (and various other phobic) attitudes,” Ellie adds. 

“Unfortunately, we’ve had many LGBTQIA+ friends experience negative attitudes at social groups or sports clubs, which is what leads us to create our own spaces where we can guarantee we will not experience this.

“LGBTQIA+ people deserve spaces in which they feel safe and held, and this is not something we can guarantee in groups that are not queer-led.”

While these groups aim to create safe spaces for queer folk, you’ll find most will welcome allies too. However it’s important to keep in mind queer groups come from a need for LGBTQ+ people to feel safe, seen and “have a community where they can be completely themselves,” Ellie says. 

“If attending, you are going into a space which has not been created to centre heterosexual people; so listen, be respectful, and remember why these spaces have needed to be created."

Pointing out the obvious, Ellie says if you're not sure you can attend the meetup group as an ally, the easiest way to work this out is to ask. “Send the organiser a message and see if [the group] is a space for allies too.

"But if the reply is no, that’s okay - the best allies acknowledge that not every space or event is made for them!”

So with that in mind, if you identify as LGBTQ+, here’s where you can hit a ball, go for a run, decoupage or try a counterbalance as part of a community that will show you the love. 

Queer Meetup Groups in Thanet

Punk Rock Pride 

A group for the alternative and punk LGBTQ+ community and allies to come together to create banners, march and party and Margate pride. There’s a call out for people to get involved in a number of ways, on top of crafting, from help on the socials and fundraising, to photographers and people who can lead workshops, as well as people who can work their magic with denim, leather and know how to put together an outfit.
instagram.com/punkrockpridekent/

Screaming Mary Club

Not so much a meet-up, the Screaming Mary Club is part of the Screaming Alley fold. It is a diverse group of folk trying out burlesque, drag, dance, lip-syncing, clowning and other aspects of theatre and alternative performance. You can book a block of sessions or just drop in to the Alley Bar, where they meet. Check the website for term dates and times, and for more LGBTQ+ focused and friendly performance opportunities.
instagram.com/screamingmaryclub/

Thanet Queers in Solidarity

A group of LGBTQ+ people putting on events in the name of collective freedom. Get involved with things like Pride banner making, cinema and arts nights, and of course rallies and protests.
instagram.com/thanet.queers.in.solidarity

Queer Walks East Kent 

Covering Thanet, Dover, Canterbury and Ashford, this one is for those who like to get into nature and explore different pockets of the Kentish countryside, with company.
instagram.com/queerwalks

Margate Anarchist Reading Group

The Margate Anarchist Reading Group gather at the Margate Queer Library and Archive most Wednesdays to discuss historical and contemporary literature and what it might tell us about current times and personal politics. They also hold film screenings at 101 Social.
instagram.com/margsreads/

East Kent Pride Swim

So new, it hasn’t even started, East Kent Pride Swim will launch sometime this year as a group for LGBTQ+ folk who like a dip.
instagram.com/eastkentprideswim 

LGBTQ Kent Tennis

A newly launched meet up group, LGBTQ Kent Tennis will meet later this month. Head to the Margate Lawns Tennis Club on Friday, May 22 from 6pm to hit a ball, take a tour of the club and grounds, and meet the coaches.
instagram.com/lgbtqkenttennis

Queer Swim Margate

A “trans-centered, fat-positive, anti-racist” group for sea-dippers of all bodies, who usually meet at the Walpole Bay tidal pool for dips, hangs and natters.
instagram.com/queerswimmargate/

Queer Fight Club

Run by Trans Club Margate, Queer Fight Club is self defense classes for trans and queer people. It runs every Thursday at either 5.10pm or 6pm. It’s free - DM organiser Zara for details and location.

Trans Club Margate

A group for trans people, and their families. As well as Queer Fight Club, the group hosts days out, advocacy events, family meet ups, as well as things like crafting sessions.
instagram.com/transclubmargate/

Crafty Queers

Perhaps you’re looking to bedazzle a jacket, press a badge, or just want to get on with your needle work or knitting - Margate-based Crafty Queers is for whatever craft you want.
instagram.com/craftyqueers_margate/

Cirque De Mar-Gay - may be dormant

For “weird circus folk”, LGBTQ+ crew and allies, Cirque De Mar-Gay meet monthly-ish at the beach for sandy counter balances, clowning, tricks and circus revelry. The group moves to ARK Cliftonville in the colder months.
instagram.com/cirquedemargay/

Queer Knit

Another craft-focused group, but specifically for knitters. Held at Margate Arts Club. Crochet and general crafting also welcomed.
instagram.com/queer.kniiit/

Margate Queer Writers

Not a meetup group but a collective of LGBTQ+ writers living in Margate. The collective has created projects like Queering the Margate Map, which connected queer experience and stories to locations around Margate. Also puts on writing workshops.
instagram.com/margatequeerwriters/

Queer Tennis Ramsgate - May be dormant

Queer Ramsgate meet on Wednesdays, from 7pm at Spencer Square for a bash about with the ball. They also put on the less frequent social at Penelope’s wine bar. Check Instagram for when the next one is on. It currently looks like not much is going on, but tennis is a fair weather sport.
instagram.com/queerramsgate/

Queer Run Margate

Are you a runner, or just someone who wants to take a walk among company? Queer Run Margate takes place weekly and welcomes you whether you want to go as fast as you can or at a more leisurely pace. The trot starts at Bugsy's, on Wednesdays at 6.30pm. Dogs welcome.
instagram.com/queerrunmargate/

Bower Street Morris

Open to everyone, but this group of hankie waving, white-wearing, leaping Morris dancers is definitely welcoming of the LGBTQ+ community. 
instagram.com/bowerstreetmorris/

Queer Sunset Club

One of the best things to do in Margate during summer just got better, with the addition of a group of queer sun-gazers bringing potluck-style snacks to eat while the sun goes down.
instagram.com/queer_sunset_club_margate/

Ramsgate Pride

Founded in 2024, this grassroots, community-minded crew are working on Ramsgate 2026’s Pride taking place on September 19.
instagram.com/prideramsgate/

Tea-Time Socials

Another Margate Pride initiative, but this one is a monthly get-together for “swishy seniors” aged 55 and older. Usually held at the Tom Thumb Theatre in Margate, there’s teas, coffees, cakes and performances.
instagram.com/p/DWnzGxxAQCi/