Let's Talk About Chemsex
2023

Let's Talk about Chemsex was a year-long project commissioned by Portraits of Recovery and supported by Manchester Art Gallery and Brighter Sound, that set out to explore the queer communities' broad range of experiences of sex on chems. Over the course of the year Offeh instigated a series of talks, workshops, performances and panel discussions to visually map and survey these experiences, whilst promoting non-judgemental discussions on chemsex, consent, HIV and queer intimacy.

The project took inspiration from the iconic Salt-N-Pepa track, "Let's Talk About Sex" (1991), which aimed to destigmatize discussion of sex and desire in popular culture. It was released at the height of the AIDS crisis and was accompanied by an often-forgotten B-side called Let's Talk About AIDS (1991). Featuring the same tune but with altered lyrics, the B-side addressed HIV/AIDS as something to discuss without shame or prejudice.

Offeh's project was also particularly influenced by the ground-breaking report from George House Trust and Survivors Manchester, "Sex, Chems, HIV and Consent," authored by Dr. Michael Atkins (AKA Cheddar Gorgeous). Outside of London, Greater Manchester hosts the largest chemsex scene in Europe, making it an important focal point for discussions.

The following timeline highlights the various activities that took place over the course of the year.

Manchester Pride 2023:

During Manchester Pride 2023, Offeh set up a market stall on Community Lane in Manchester's Gay Village, where he invited passers-by to respond to prompts and questions related to sex on chems, intimacy, and consent. Visitors were encouraged to contribute to the creation of lyrics for a collective song about queer intimacy, or suggest tracks for a collective playlist. In addition to these activities, Offeh hosted a chemsex panel discussion at Manchester Art Gallery. The panel featured prominent figures including Cheddar Gorgeous, Duncan Craig from We Are Survivors and Joshua Wharton from George House Trust. Following the panel, a closed group discussion provided a safe space for individuals who had experience of chemsex to share and connect.

Collaborative Music Production:

The second stage of the project involved participants working together to produce two tracks that captured the lived experiences of sex on chems, along with broader themes of desire, intimacy, consent, and respect within the LGBTQ+ community. The workshops, led by Harold Offeh with support from artist Jak Skot, utilised writing, drawing and performance to explore these key issues, with all those contributing demonstrating extraordinary honesty, bravery, candour and intimacy about experiences that can be clouded in silence or shame. The music production and recording were facilitated by Brighter Sound and music producer Niall O'Conghaile (AKA The Niallist)

The culmination of this stage was a discussion event featuring contributions from project participant Bradley, as well as Cheddar Gorgeous, Niall O'Conghaile, and Professor Rob Ralphs. The discussion centred on the creative process behind the music tracks and the wider conversations about intimacy, desire, and consent.

Let's Talk About Chemsex Gallery Takeover (images 8-12):

The final stage of the project was the Let's Talk About Chemsex Takeover at Manchester Art Gallery, where the 12-inch double A-side record was launched. To mark the culmination of Let's Talk About Chemsex, this event also included a rich public programme of performances, screenings and talks by both UK and international artists including Daniel Rey, Ghetto Fabulous, mandla, Sam Cottington and Valentin Ranger.

- Links

Listen to Let's Talk About Chemsex presents... on Bandcamp
Portraits of Recovery