HUM: Queer South Asian Mela creates organising space

Organising strategy, impactful storytelling, and breaking down barriers in art and healthcare spaces: these were the change-making issues addressed at The Love Tank’s first HUM: an alt-queer Mela.

Taking place on Saturday 18 May 2026, HUM provided an organising space for an energetic day of workshops, performance, and solidarity designed by and for queer South Asian people in London.

60 mobilisers, artists, and activists, gathered in Bethnal Green to participate in sessions with The Love Tank’s outreach team providing STI testing, information, and advice.

Qaisar Siddiqui, Head of Community Mobilisation at The Love Tanks says:

“Queer South Asian people continue to face compounded challenges across healthcare and education. HUM celebrates our resilience and beauty, using workshops and shared space to learn skills, encourage community-building, and nurture assertiveness in health and wellbeing.”

Asad Zafar, Outreach Coordinator at The Love Tank and one of the event’s co-creators, says:

“Queer South Asians and Queer folk in London have few spaces for creativity, connection and belonging, unless they’re created by our communities. HUM is an alternative Mela for Queer South Asians, by Queer South Asians, a celebration to connect, educate and thrive with our beautiful communities.“