Melanin Vybz: Film Screening and Conversation (Hackney Archives)

Melanin Vybz is a progressive social meetup group for 50+ Black LGBTQ+ elders.
In collaboration with Project Harvey, we’re excited to present, in celebration of Black History Month 2026, ‘I See You’ Then & Now, an evening of film and conversation at Hackney Archives.
In readiness for the production of our second film short The Curtain Twitcher in spring 2027. On a continued mission to raise awareness of loneliness and isolation in the Older Black LGBTQ+ community, we’ve created Harvey, a fictional character to tell our stories of lived experience. As an authenticity check for Harvey, we’d like to have a conversation with you.

Growing up, what was your experience of entering and finding your place within predominantly white gay spaces and communities?
What was your experience of school and the education system, and how did it shape the way you saw yourself and your possibilities?
What was your experience of being LGBTQ+ within your family, Black community and wider cultural community?
Looking back now, how have these experiences shaped the person you became, your relationships, identity, confidence, choices and sense of belonging?
If Harvey were sitting in this room with us, what would he need to say, remember or understand for you to believe that his life was real?