PSSY CULTURE – A EMPOWERING SPACE BRINGING THE QUEER PEOPLE OF SHEFFIELD TOGETHER

A new and very much needed queer space has been created in Sheffield, named Pssy Culture, it is all about empowering, inclusivity and breaking boundaries through creativity and art. Creators Sophie, Bri and Lily break down the meaning behind this space and what being queer and apart of a vibrant community means to them.

Inspired by the Netflix original movie Moxie a film about females taking on a feminist revolution in the classroom, PSSY culture is starting its own revolution one all about bringing freedom and connecting the queer community of the North together and don’t be deceived by the name, PSSY cultures is ‘’ not just for people with pusses’’ says co creator Sophie.

A creation that came out of nowhere, but all through a photo-shoot and creating art they did in their Sheffield flat they wanted this freeing space to be available for all and invite people into their friendship. Sophie, lead vocalist of Sophie and The giants, Bri, a Sheffield based photographer and Lily a student currently living in Sheffield are the faces behind this new upcoming queer space.

I was met with them on Zoom, met with vibrant hair colours, smiles and an exciting energy to talk about their new project.

Sophie begins to tell me exactly what PSSY culture is “It is about bringing freedom to people like us, creating a safe environment for them to be creative and themselves. You can come to PSSY culture and be whoever you want to be. We are queer people and we wanted to create a space similar to what a survivors group has but make it creative for people to let go of and create art from their shit and trauma.’’

SOPHIE CO CREATOR OF PUSSY CULTURE – IMAGE TAKEN FROM @SOPHIEANDTHEGIANTS INSTAGRAM. SHOT BY @ITSPHOTOGRABRINOTPHY

Lily adds ‘’ I want pssy culture to disrupt the binary of what it means to be a femme presenting person, what it means to be gay or queer or bi, blow that open. People who come to this space and come to this page and see its not for people who look a certain way or act a certain way but we want to make a space for everyone to be able to breathe. A place for queer people we love and queer people we are going to love’’

LILY CO CREATOR OF PUSSY CULTURE – IMAGE TAKE FROM @PUSSY_CULTURE INSTAGRAM SHOT BY @MACYJLOVE

When you click on PSSY Cultures Instagram you are greeted with the instant hit of empowerment from art pieces created by each of the girls, photo-shoots shot by Bri exploring nudity and sexual liberation, shouting out northern creators and allowing them to promote their work. On this platform you really do feel you are a part of a community, a part of the beautiful friendship the three creators have.

Typing on google what the word queer means comes up with many definitions, an umbrella term for sexuality and gender once used in a derogatory way the LGBTQ+ community have reclaimed the meaning of the word and started to use it as a label that allows people to express themselves in their own way amongst the spectrum of sexuality and gender.

Each of them identify with being queer and are apart of the community, they told me about their experiences and what it means to them.

Lily begins “ Queer intercepts with everything in my life. I am in heterosexual relationship,I date a man but that does not in any sense negate my queerness. I am so so queer. It is my friendships, my humour, the media I consume, it is my politics and my feminism. I have queer friends but i don’t have a community and sometimes i don’t feel queer enough because of my hetro sexual relationship and to have this space now where a group of people are being authentically themselves means so much to me. Queer is not just your sexuality it is disrupting the binary even amongst the community already.’’

Sophie agreeing with Lilly then adds ‘’It means a whole lot of acceptance for me and safety. Being able to live authentically in your own skin, a place where you don’t feel like an outcast with no judgement, just community. But also if someone isn’t sure come to Pssy culture it is a positive and safe environment to figure it out but you can also have fun whilst doing it.’’

‘’ Throughout my life I have struggled. Struggles with how i want to dress because how i want to dress doesn’t fit with societal constructs. My mum always encouraged me to wear what I want and be who I want, but only in the last year in lockdown, being here with Sophie, being ourselves unjudged. I fully feel myself and I don’t feel suppressed by anything or anyone else. ‘’ Bri adds

BRI – CO CREATOR OF PUSSY CULTURE IMAGE TAKEN FROM @PUSSYCULTURE INSTAGRAM SHOT BY @ITSMOLLIEYATES

Sheffield is one of the biggest cities in the UK but lacks in encouraging diversity and creating spaces for the LGBTQ+ community with only having one gay bar compared to the likes of Manchester having a whole area dedicated to the community.

The LGBTQ+ community of Sheffield are craving a space like this, with their launch party happening at the Washington this August which is an event that does not want to be missed the three of them are craving for lock down to end so they can start putting their plans into action with talks of tequila and art nights, queer yoga, ‘’queer everything’’ they all say together that has us in all fits of laughs.

PUSSY CULTURE INSTAGRAM PAGE

PUSSY CULTURE INSTAGRAM PAGE

PSSY Culture is open to have anyone get involved, through art, writing, photography and more “if someone in Sheffield is passionate about something we want to be the outlet for that’’ says Sophie and all you have to do is message them on Instagram.

The three of them then finish with adding that ‘’Pssy culture is about reaching out our hands saying our friendship is fucking sick, please be a apart of it. Be a part of this platform that gives you a voice.’’

The main devotion and message of this platform is friendships and allowing queer people to embrace themselves and be embraced by others, PSSY culture is allowing people to go unhidden.

Find PSSY Culture on Instagram under the handle @pssy_culture