Lone Worlds is a non-profit organisation dedicated to creating and supporting safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community in Cardiff. What began in 2020 as a small collective of queer individuals has grown into an organisation programming live events and workshops across the city. Without a permanent base, Lone Worlds thrives through collaboration, bringing their ideas and networks into places and spaces across Cardiff.
“Because we have no base of operations, our main working method is collaborations – bringing our queer energy into venues like Porters and Chapter Arts Centre,” says Howl, co-founder of Lone Worlds.
One of the latest projects, GORWEL, is a testament to this ethos. As part of Lone Worlds’ broader mission to create safe spaces and advocate for visibility, GORWEL provides a platform for trans+ creatives to inspire and connect with others.
“I am constantly inspired by the creativity and drive of my trans+ brothers, sisters, and siblings, so I wanted to create a space where trans+ people can openly inspire others too,” Howl explains. “I also wanted the space to be open to allies as well as the trans+ community and to attract those working in the creative sector – making a collaboration with Creative Cardiff a perfect fit for the project.”
Visibility is at the heart of Lone Worlds’ mission, and Howl believes it is crucial in shifting perceptions of trans+ people within society. GORWEL aims to provide an in-person opportunity for trans+ creatives to share their work and experiences:
Rather than being confined to online discussions, we are physically present – navigating the same fields and sectors as everyone else.
“It’s also essential to recognise the creativity of trans+ people, as our ideas are often adopted by those closer to the mainstream, and before we know it, the credit has been taken by someone else.” Howl says. Working in partnership, Creative Cardiff and Lone Worlds hopes to expand their reach and provide an enhanced platform for trans+ creatives.
“This collaboration expands our reach in the creative sector through Creative Cardiff’s network, giving the people we’re platforming greater visibility than we could achieve alone,” explains Howl. “The support from the Creative Cardiff team has been invaluable, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the project continues to grow!”
Howl sees GORWEL as a space that not only fosters connection and collaboration but also embodies the resilience of the city’s creative scene.
No matter what challenges come our way, we’ll keep creating.
“Cardiff’s grassroots creative community has been hit hard over the past year, and the future remains uncertain for us,” Howl acknowledges. “The best thing we can do is support each other with the resources we have because, no matter what challenges come our way, we’ll keep creating. I want GORWEL to embody that same sentiment – a space that fosters connection and collaboration, where creativity and community come together to support and uplift one another.”
Register for the first free-to-attend GORWEL event on 21 March.
