“Initially I thought my disability would hold me back too much; however, Ash has been really understanding and patient with me. Now I have a lovely circle of new friends and confidence in myself.”

— Pete

“From the first session I felt included and part of a great community of peers. Queer Self-Defence has been a great way to make friends and get a workout in an open, ‘no question is too stupid’ learning environment.”

— Samantha

“Queer Self-Defence has such a supportive atmosphere, it’s great for building the confidence required to act when you need to. In addition to the instructors being great teachers, there’s a real collaborative feel to learning among the attendees. A space full of wonderful people; would recommend to a friend.”

— Stevie

“Queer Self-Defence is such a wonderful place. Zoë is really encouraging and good at instructing how to do complicated things. I have been scared to do any sort of fitness or self-defence class for years because of my disabilities but Queer Self-Defence is so welcoming and so accessible. I’ve never been made to feel like I’m the problem for not doing certain things. Queer Self-Defence isn’t just somewhere to learn new techniques, it’s a lovely, caring community.”

— J

“Leeds Queer Self-Defence is a safe and welcoming space for friendly queers who want to learn to flip an entire person should the need arise. I’d fully given up on fitness classes before coming here but Zoë and Roma are like the antidote to intense martial arts/fitness wankers. They’re knowledgeable and encouraging, they guide you through moves with unending patience, they adapt to suit everyone’s needs with no judgement, and they’re emotionally gentle, mindful and informed of the potentially triggering nature of self-defence discussions and consensual violence. It’s given me new skills, new confidence and lovely new pals, and I’m so glad to be a part of it.”

— Hobie

“Leeds Queer Wrestling has been of immense personal benefit to me. Being in a specifically queer and trans-friendly space has made me feel comfortable in participating in physical activities that I previously would never have taken part in. It has made wrestling accessible. In particular, it has made me grow more more comfortable in engaging in a sport that requires physical contact between myself and others, in a way that I would never have felt comfortable or safe in engaging in a group that wasn't explicitly queer.

“It has given me self-confidence, a sense of achievement, and connection to my body, which as a trans person is often a challenge. In particular, it helped me get back into exercising after top surgery, which was a time where I was feeling physically low, as despite being very happy to have had the surgery, recovery is slow and frustrating. Leeds Queer Wrestling has improved my physical and mental health, and provided me with a sense of community and support.”

— M

“Since leaving prison, I have found it hard to make friends. After I got top surgery, I began to feel even more isolated and excluded and wanted to get back into fitness. Finding Leeds Queer Wrestling was so exciting. It was everything I had been too scared to do pre-surgery. My first lesson was exhilarating, everyone was so supportive, and I felt like I was a part of something. I couldn't stop smiling. This was a community, a safe space, and a lot of fun. It is giving me back my confidence after years of being told I was useless. After struggling with mental health issues, I actually began to feel like I could be anything. I can't thank them enough.”

— Dalton

“Before I transitioned, I was fairly heavily involved in martial arts and combat sports, but when I realised I was trans I lost all my confidence to train in such a cis-male-dominated environment. Finding Leeds Queer Wrestling was so incredible, and let me get back into a hobby that I'd always loved. Not only that, it provided me with a community. I had struggled to find other trans people (especially as this was during the pandemic) and joining LQW gave me a group of people who I love and who have my back. It's such a positive, welcoming space and I'm so grateful for it. And thanks to the wrestling group, I've got my confidence back and am back training martial arts for the first time in years.”

— Z

“LQW is important to me, as a queer, dyspraxic person it's rare to find physical activities where I feel safe and comfortable to be myself, and everyone is so welcoming and understanding. It's wonderful in that it also helps with confidence as wrestling is about big characters, as much as it is about physical fitness, and it's such a brilliant thing to be able to do with other LGBTQ+ folk in a space made for us.

— PJ