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?