The Women Behind Indigo/Hush LBT+ Events

Five years ago the lack of events, and opportunities for gay, bi and trans women to meet likeminded women in Bristol inspired Anna Rutherford, Amy Wilson and Suzanne Doyle to found Indigo.

The Indigo team also run a quarterly club night Hush, which attracts attendees from across the South West, South Wales, London and the Midlands and has been profiled in national magazine Diva.

Anna, Suzanne and Tash Jones, took time out to have a chat with B24/7 about Indigo, Hush and plans for future events. First things first, why start Indigo?

Anna: “Back in 2010, there wasn’t much going on in the city for women who liked women. Being an LBT woman in Bristol could be quite a lonely experience. If you’d just moved here, or just come out it was tough. Employer LGBT+ groups were predominantly male. So you either met people one-by-one via the internet, or downed a few drinks and tried to start up a conversation (over blaring Gaga tracks) to one of the handful of women out on the scene. It took a lot of effort, and was pretty soul-destroying! I guess we got tired of hearing gay women ask the same old question – “where are the people like me?

A few us had the same idea, we got on, and it grew from there.”

How many women come along to your events?

Tash: “I used to be a regular and when Amy left for London last year, I stepped up to host. Indigo’s just going from strength to strength. We have 50 – 100 women come to each monthly event at Goldbrick House, and 200 – 300 come to special events like Hush.”

And what sort of events do you host?

Anna: “All sorts! Our regular event is the monthly Indigo socials at Goldbrick House. We take over an area (the Library, Orangery or Café-Bar) for an evening.  It’s a relaxed affair, we host the night, pick the music and make introductions. Every few months invite special guests, usually comedians, novelists or singers. We’ve had Rosie Wilby, Rhona Cameron, Jen Brister, Beatrice Hitchman and Katey Brookes as guests“

Why did you start running a club-night?

Anna: “Have you ever tried going out on the scene? We’re fond of it, and there are some great nights, but largely they’re guy-run and the women simply don’t get much of a look-in.  We just wanted to flip the norm. So a couple of years ago we expanded into running a quarterly club night Hush.”

What can people expect at Hush?

Tash: “The best female DJs, a packed dance floor and the best girls’ night in the region, a room packed wall to wall with brilliant girls and good fun times.”

Is it strictly women only?

Suzanne: “Indigo is a space for women who like women. Within that, we welcome a broad church of lesbian, bi, queer and trans women. Feedback time and again is that the group appreciates the special warm, accepting atmosphere that creates. To be honest it’s never been something we’ve had to enforce. Hush is more open, guys are welcome as guests, anyone can join the party, and they do!”

What other plans do you have for Indigo and Hush?

Anna: “Every Christmas we dream up a super event with our friends at the guys networking group Members. In 2011 we whisked people out to a mystery location in the countryside for a night called ‘Prohibition’. Since then we’ve had Blackout, which featured a midnight air raid, and the monochrome Night Circus, which sold out months in advance. This year we can reveal The Voyage, it departs on Fri 18 December, and that’s all we can say!”

What’s the best thing about Indigo and Hush and why should women come along?

Tash: “I started going to indigo and Hush 5 years ago; and have made a wonderful network of friends including some of my closest friends as a result. Our events are super-friendly, non-sceney, with lovely women and girls attending. It’s a supportive, relaxed and safe environment, combined with really interesting conversations.”

Indigo held on the first Thursday of every month at Goldbrick House. The next Hush is on Friday October 16 at the Queen Shilling.

For more information see www.indigonetwork.co.uk