A Leeds-based fitness group have launched a campaign to set up an exclusively LGBTQIA+ gym.
‘Bent Collective’ began almost five years ago, with an aim to make combat sports accessible for the LGBTQIA+ community.
After being forced to change location for the second time, instructors Zoë, Roma, Matt and Ash have started a new initiative to raise funds for a permanent space to call ‘home’.
They hope to reach £10,000 through sponsorships on equipment, merchandise sales and donations.
Zoë said: “We love combat sports, we love wrestling, and we love our queer community and these are areas that are not accessible to queer people at all.”
According to Bent’s instructors and members, fitness spaces can often feel intimidating and unsafe for those who identify as queer or transgender.
Jodi, a member of Bent’s classes, said: “There aren’t loads of queer spaces in Leeds. A lot of people have feelings about their bodies that make it difficult to access normal spaces for fitness, so having our own space is going to be particularly helpful for the trans community, but also anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable in regular gyms.”
At £6 per class, the group offer Muay Tai, pro-wrestling and self-defence open to all levels of ability.
The chance to learn combat sports in an exclusively LGBTQIA+ environment has proved widely popular, with some travelling from other cities like Manchester to attend classes.
However, the space that Bent currently use is shared with other local groups. This has meant that they cannot install appropriate flooring or practice with certain equipment.
Having already raised £1500, instructor Roma believes that Bent’s efforts are just the start of a much wider project across the UK.
“There’s a real need for more stuff like this, so in the future I hope that there are more things in different places in different cities that people are able to access,” she said.
Roma also said her “only hope” was that, with more acceptance of the community, exclusive spaces would no longer be necessary for LGBTQIA+ individuals to feel safe and comfortable in fitness environments.
To find out more about classes, visit Bent Collective on Instagram: @bent_collective. To donate, visit their Crowdfunder page here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/bentcollective