Gender as a Field of Possibility by Caffyn Jesse

We are very pleased to feature another blog from Caffyn Jesse, founder of Ecstatic Belonging.

Caffyn says that "Transgender and gender-expansive people often come to know—through necessity—that gender is not fixed, but responsive. It is singular and multiple. Assigned, and continually unfolding. Shaped by hormones and chromosomes, in all their complexity—and also by sensation, relationship, imagination, culture, and time."  

The Spirit of Same Sex Love

In his 2024 book Sacred Flames: Reclaiming the Divine Power of Gay Love, American author Pete Cossaboon directs a heartfelt plea to Queers of the world to claim our spiritual inheritance as shamans, mystics, healers, witches, monks, goddess priests and priestesses – connectors to the cosmic reality.

“In today's world, where LGBTQ+ people still face discrimination, homophobia, and exclusion, reclaiming this sacred heritage is an act of defiance and liberation. It allows us to rewrite the narrative of what it means to be spiritual and queer, rejecting the harmful rhetoric of religious institutions that continue to marginalize us. It is a call to embrace our full selves-our love, our desires, our bodies-as holy.”

Trans Spirit Rising

For many in the transgender and non-binary community, the journey of self-discovery isn't just a personal or medical one, it is a deeply spiritual path.

While modern Western society has often pathologized or marginalized gender-variant identities, a look back through human history reveals a much more sacred and powerful story.

In this blog, Shokti aims to explore through history the wider picture.

Gayness as a Spirit path

“The sense of gayness as a Spirit path is growing. As we break out of straight mind-bindings we naturally recoil from seeing ourselves and each as either mono-sided homo-sexualists or homo-oriented straights... for many of us come revelations of feminist thought/ practice: we discover women exposing, breaking free of sado-slavery into whirling fiery gyn-ecstacies of loving magickal sister-Selves. ...We discover anarcho-sissydom, life-loving faggotry and more. We begin to suspect the existence of hidden universes beyond the pale of straight space/time delusions"

“Our straight socio-cultural enculturations have blinded us. We must turn to the freer world of our imagination, fantasy, dreams, myths.... Let us build fairy mythologies – gay ways of thinking and doing – to realise and protect our loving soulful brotherhood, to reclaim our Selves, recreate our culture, regain our heritage, remember our fates as beings of Spirit, wisdom, power compassion, truthfulness, light.”

Widening the Circle: What Homophobia Costs Us All, by Frank Malaba

Homophobia is usually spoken about as something that only hurts queer people.

That is not true. It damages everyone. It teaches fear. It breaks families. It weakens communities. It shrinks the world we all have to live in.

Frank Malaba is a multidisciplinary artist and storyteller based in Oslo, Norway, and Cape Town, South Africa. His work spans theatre, photography, writing, and podcasting, exploring themes of memory, identity, spirituality, and queer lives across the African diaspora. He is known for his performance piece Stories of My Bones, his photography exhibition Rituals, and his ongoing storytelling projects that centre dignity, belonging, and ancestral connection.

We're Here, We're Queer, We're Cosmic!

Shokti on why he's very excited about the tenth anniversary of Queer Spirit Festival: 

10 years of LGBTQ+ people collectively connecting through the heart to community, nature and spirit; breaking the chains of religious bigotry and reclaiming queer nature as part of the cosmic order is a ground-breaking step in LGBTQ+ history. At Queer Spirit Festival we build on the work of queer spiritual pioneers as hundreds come together in the south west of England. QS is an intersectional meeting point for queer people from many races, faiths, ages and backgrounds, all together celebrating the sacred in nature and in each other. I am excited as we prepare for our 3rd festival in the stunning setting of Bridwell Park in Devon, UK. 

“Our beautiful lovely sexuality is the gateway to spirit. Under all organised religions of the past, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, there has been a separation of carnality, or shall we say of flesh or earth or sex, and spirituality. As far as I am concerned they are all the same thing, and what we need to do as faeries is to tie it all back together again.” Harry Hay, 1912–2002, pioneering gay rights and Radical Faerie activist.

Gender is an artesian force of ongoing emergence

Caffyn Jesse is a queer elder, sacred intimate, teacher and writer who revels in the power and pleasures of the erotic. They are a renowned teacher of sex, intimacy and healing trauma with pleasure. Encouraging neuroplastic change to support sexual healing and expanded pleasure, unwinding sexual trauma, exploring the intersection of sex and spirit, creating erotic community are all core to their work and play. Caffyn is a tireless advocate of embodied love.   EcstaticBelonging.com    Her Facebook here

Caffyn offers an online program on The Art and Science of Sacred Intimacy. They also offer a program on psychedelic medicine integration.

Queer Spirit at Safertobeme Conference

The Safertobeme Conference, 23-24 October 2025, at the International Stadium in Gateshead brought together queer activists from around the world to discuss how we, as a global community, deepen solidarity and expand allyship to meet the challenge of the rising attacks on LGBTQ+ rights. 

With a theme of Local to Global, the conference website says: “In an uncertain world, LGBTQ+ rights have been weaponised and diminished by populist leaders, authoritarian governments, religious fundamentalists, and 'moral' entrepreneurs. So, it is more important than ever as individuals, organisations, politicians, governments, and businesses, to pull together in solidarity and to make a visible stand as allies.” 

Magic retreat, Qweaver

What a joy to be part of Queer Spirit camp this year. Such connectedness, loving kindness, radical realness.  It was inspiring, heart-warming and everywhere conversations and questions about magic flowed. It feels there is a great re-awakening of interest in magic, a thirst for knowledge, a surge and urgency understandable in our troubled, fracturing world.

Sensing something of this re-awakening, a few years ago the vision came to me to offer magic-centred retreats for small groups, intentional spaces for supported exploration, empowerment and community growth. How wonderful to see these manifesting and, with deep thanks to Matt Williams, be able to tell you about the retreats on offer next year at the inspiring Asha Centre.

Dwellers at the Threshold: Queer Lives Cast in Bronze, by Brenden “Tiger” Shucart

We moderns have a tendency to think of the “ancient world” as a single block of time, like Julius Caesar and King Tut were drinking buddies. But fun fact: history is big. Really big. How big? Less time separates us from Julius Caesar than separated him from the builders of the pyramids. And Ancient Mesopotamia—the “land between the rivers,” cradle of civilization—was already old when the Egyptians built the pyramids. (Unless you’re a Graham Hancock truther, but I digress.) For nearly three thousand years, Mesopotamian civilization was the beating heart of the world, and it left us something remarkable: real, tangible evidence that queer lives were not only present, but honored, feared, and woven into the very fabric of the cosmos.

It’s worth lingering here a moment. Because while we’re in the present, arguing over drag queen story hour, back in Mesopotamia—the civilization whose bones our civilization is built on—scribes were writing hymns about non-binary priests, warriors who wore both armor and women’s dress, and kings who kissed their male lovers like brides.

Gay rights going backwards in Burkino Faso, by Shokti

As the tide of cruel laws against LGBTQ+ people in Africa continues to rise why is nobody talking about the real (pre-Christian) African teachings about the spiritual nature of gay and trans people?

On September 1^st, 2025, the 71 members of the unelected transitional legislative assembly of Burkino Faso, which was set up by the military junta who seized power in a coup three years ago, unanimously voted to criminalise homosexual and transexual behaviour.

Back in August 2023, Burkina Faso’s media regulator banned television stations from broadcasting content deemed to promote homosexuality and authorities say the new code will be rolled out through a public awareness campaign. Neighbouring country Mali, also ruled by a military junta, adopted a similar law in 2024 and Burkino Faso now joins more than 30 African countries where homosexuality is banned.

Radical Forgiveness, Oneness and Heart - Triskelion

Queer Spirit Festival is a festival for the LGBTQIA + community, created by the community. It is a space where we can gather, witness, celebrate and find joy in each other, in nature and in community spirit. We are aiming to create sanctuary in a time of turmoil and challenge in the world.

Whilst I don’t think that a safe space completely exists, we can endeavour to provide a safer space. However, the question arises of what do we need to do as a co-created space to keep each other safe(r) ?

Thinking about our queer history, we lost a generation of queer community to the AIDS crisis, by this happening we lost a generation of elders. Coming out of the AIDS crisis, we now have sexual health services that support our needs, as such we are living longer as a community. It is only now that we have an emerging queer culture of elders, but we are still learning as a queer community, a community that is evolving, becoming more relationally expansive.

Pride in a Time of Crisis - Shokti

I have been going to Gay Pride events since the mid 1980s, seen Pride grow in size, seen the emphasis shift from protest to party to diverse and inclusive community parade; seen the spread of Pride events to cites and towns around the UK. I've often been on the London march and went for years to the Park parties across the city in Jubilee Gardens, Kennington Park, Clapham Common, Brockwell Park, Finsbury Park and Victoria Park. I've been involved in the debates about the presence of the military, police and corporations at Pride and was part of the D-I-Y 'La-Di-Dah' alternative prides held in response to the over-hyped commercial nature of the ridiculously titled Pride Mardi Gras in London in the mid 2000s.

In recent years I have held back and observed Pride – and been utterly impressed by the atmosphere of celebration, playful free expression alongside important political statements and a stunning, smiling manifestation of the incredible racial, sexual and generational diversity of our global community. The streets of central London are filled with colour and joy – and feel SAFE - the positivity is palpable – so is the energetic shift when one leaves the Pride zone into the more usual monochromatic, edgy, guarded cultural vibrations of the age.

Find Your Tribe: Join the Queer Spirit online community!

In an era where mainstream social platforms are becoming increasingly hostile, algorithm-driven, and commercially exploitative, many LGBTQIA+ individuals are finding themselves pushed to the margins once again. What's more troubling is the growing number of governments and institutions rolling back protections, eroding rights, and attempting to erase queer and trans identities altogether.

Take the UK’s recent legal ruling narrowing the scope of gender recognition: it’s left many in the trans and non-binary communities feeling invalidated and unsupported by the very systems meant to protect them. These aren’t isolated incidents - they're part of a worrying trend. Across the world, we're witnessing a chilling shift away from inclusion and visibility toward silence, suppression, and surveillance.

But we are not powerless. In times like these, our communities become more vital than ever. We need spaces that honour us, that see us, and that let us show up as our full, authentic selves. That’s why we created the Queer Spirit online community — a platform by us, for us.

The Midas Touch: stories we live by.  Al Head

I haven't written in this blog for a while. I want to, and I try to when I can, and try to encourage others to as well. It's important to us that we have a diversity of voices here, just as we have a diversity of people at Queer Spirit Festival. Recently, I've been wanting to write something about what is happening in the world. I'd like to do that here, because so much of what is happening is directly impacting our communities. We are suffering, we are scared, we are angry.

And because so much of what is happening is directly impacting the earth, which we are part of, and which we work for and honour. I'd like to write something helpful, something supportive, maybe something insightful! I'd like to write a response, not a reaction. I'd like to help myself, and others, to make sense of it all, to maybe say something that will give us hope.

It's time to recognise the third gender, by Shokti

15 countries around the world legally recognise a third, non-binary gender. Unfortunately the UK did not become the 16th this week. 'Trans Women are Not Women' scream the right wing press headlines, ignoring the fact that the UK Supreme Court did not rule on this question. The Court was clarifying whether references to sex in the Equality Act of 2010 referred to biological sex. A decision made without any representation from trans people!

In fact paragraph 2 of the judgment clearly states: “It is not the role of the court to adjudicate on the arguments in the public domain on the meaning of gender or sex, nor is it to define the meaning of the word ‘woman’ other than when it is used in the provisions of the [Equality Act] 2010.” Yet the right wing press is having a field day, pictures of women celebrating outside court accompanying the headline. This is very revealing, and I hope it will strike home hard to the gay, lesbian, bi community how important it is we stand together with trans people against a tide of populist propaganda, fear-mongering and ignorance.

Magic and Community

It’s a joy to me to be part of Queer Spirit community, because I can be out as a magical being. Out and fully present as a magical being - helping envision and create the festivals, connecting with so many wonderful people, holding ritual space, honouring our stories, our struggles, our power, giving reverence to the land and all the weird wild web.

20 years of the Queer Spirit Circle

The first Queer Spirit Circle met in early 2005 in Stockwell, south London, in the group room of a squatted Victorian hospital - the Ann Mccall Maternity Hospital, occupied at the time by an artist's collective, who held open days and events that the local community loved. I led the circle along with lesbian friend Ana, with the intention set for it to be a space for spiritual queers to meet each other and make ritual. Around 16 people came to the first circle, where we spoke about our spiritual interests and flew together on a meditative journey through the dimensions – we even felt our minds merging into the same journey. Anna brought creative ideas to each circle, we made things, we sang, we created shrines, went on shamanic journeys … and we drummed. Over time the drumming became the focus as we realised the power of rythmn and dancing at full moon – power to release stuck energy, express emotions, connect us to spirit, bringing healing, balance, well-being.

What the Fuck Just Happened? Trump’s Gender Policy Is an Attack on Our Sacred Humanity

There’s a deep sickness in a society that tries to legislate the spirit out of people. That’s exactly what Donald Trump’s recent executive order does by defining gender as “genetically assigned at conception.” On its surface, it’s a laughable misunderstanding of biology - because at conception, *everyone* begins as female. But let’s not be fooled by the absurdity. This isn’t just ignorance. It’s a deliberate act of violence against transgender people, two-spirit individuals, and anyone who embodies the sacred truth that gender is far more expansive than chromosomes or genitals.

Standing United, Resilient and Visible!

USA President Donald Trump’s declaration and signing of the order titled “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” will eliminate recognition of transgender and nonbinary identities at the federal level, barring individuals from updating gender markers on passports and other federal documents.

The most positive way to respond to this despicable, and ignorant, move in the ongoing gender 'debate' is to rise above it and be who we have always been.

Queer Spirit Festival 2024 and Me, by Al Head

Queer Spirit Festival. What we have birthed together. What came through us. What came in its own time and in its own way. What has spread out in all directions. What we hold when we are there together.

All of us have our QSF story. All of us who have worked in its creation. All of us who have been part of it over the last eight years. Everything that each of us, each of you, have put in has made QSF what it is. Each of your presences have added to its richness. Each of your stories will be unique and valuable. I would love to hear them: in a blog, in person, on Facebook, wherever and however. Some of them I know at least some of. Some of them I may never hear: but know that they are all important. As we are all important.

The Fifth Queer Spirit Festival

We came together, we shared space, we danced, laughed, cried, we witnessed and held each other in so many loving ways. We listened to each other’s stories; we sang our truths around the fire. A festival made of pure co-creation, held with gratitude and joy, this is Queer Spirit.
Triskelion

The 5^th Queer Spirit Festival manifested at Bridwell Park, 15-19 August 2024: Love flowed - Joy reigned - Healing happened. 750 Queers of all genders, colours and sexualities gathered for the second time at Bridwell alongside the ancient oaks, the springs and the herd of free roaming deer.

We welcomed the spirits of the Land, the Ancestors, the Fae to join our celebration as we connected ourselves to the elements and to the divinity in each other. To the land we offered our prayers, our playfulness, our joy, and in return, harmony and grace were ours.

The Global Cause of Queer Liberation

At Queer Spirit Festival we are very pleased to be welcoming along members of two LGBTQI+ asylum seeker groups.

We are welcoming back members of Micro Rainbow, an LGBTQI+ asylum seeker and refugee group with many African and Caribbean members, who have been part of Queer Spirit since the first festival in 2016, and we are excited to announce that we will be joined for the first time by The Bangladeshi Cultural Program, a body positive, gender inclusive, unapologetic grass-roots queer collective of Bangladeshi queer Muslim asylum seekers.  

The Bangladeshi Cultural Program will be cooking a Bangladeshi lunch on Friday in the CaFae and then presenting a colourful cultural exchange program of art, sounds, rhythm and a taste of Queer Bangladesh. Telling stories of what is to be queer Bangladeshi asylum seekers in the UK, with some spoken and dance performances from the members.

Born to Love - Shokti

A collection of excerpts about love, sexuality, and spirituality.

"The human community needs all the colours of loving that its genders allow. The human fabric needs all the colours woven in. The spiritual heart needs all colours, in order to transform human life on this planet, in order to begin the era of universal connection."
From Two Flutes Playing by Andrew Ramer