A new social club for LGBTQ+ adults is launching in Derry on June 19, with organisers saying it fills a gap that has existed in the city for years.

The Lavender Social Club was created by local residents Erin McCarron and Rebecca Martin, who said that repeated conversations within the community highlighted the lack of dedicated spaces. The last such venue, Envy, closed several years ago, and since then there has been no central hub for the LGBTQ+ community in Derry.

The club aims to provide an inclusive environment for activities beyond traditional nightlife, including outdoor adventures, coffee meetups, craft nights and sports. The founders said the desired atmosphere is one where people can connect through shared experiences in settings that are not solely focused on drinking.

The launch event was originally planned for the Taphouse but has been moved to a larger venue due to what the organisers described as overwhelming demand. They had asked interested parties to monitor the group’s social media channels for confirmation of the new location.

Organisers said the event is open to LGBTQ+ people aged 18 and older, with no upper age limit, and will be exclusively for the community. Activities and ice breakers are planned to help attendees settle in.

Since the club’s social media page went live, the response has exceeded expectations, according to the founders. They said the level of interest demonstrates how much such a space is needed in the city.