Liverpool-based community organisation Protect Scouse Dolls is hosting an alternative Valentine’s Day event this Saturday, combining live music, community care, and fundraising for the city’s Trans+ community.
The event challenges Valentines’ celebrations in the traditional sense, focusing on friendship, chosen family, and collective care.
Money raised goes into the Protect Scouse Dolls’ Essential Care Fund, organising upcoming collections and essential operation costs which generates sustainable income.
Performances will feature: Girl Group, DJ I. Jordan, and a range of local artists, all wavering their fees in support of the organisation. A Trans celebrant will lead a unity ceremony during the night.
Felix, co-director of Protect Scouse Dolls, said the event is about redefining what Valentine’s Day traditionally means.
They said: “Everyone who turns up to the event whether it’s the performers, the Quarry who are holding it, the people who are buying tickets, everyone’s showing love for the trans community.”
Felix said the night intentionally centres platonic love rather than traditional romantic relationships. They said: “We wanted a space of platonic love as well, where it’s not just focused on relationships.”
They continued: “A lot of trans people have a chosen family that they find in other trans people, and that’s what our events really highlight.
“It’s platonic love, its friendship, it’s chosen family, and it’s just a good time.”
Speaking about the wider impact of the event, they said: “It’s love in every sense of the word, it’s love for other people. It’s love for marginalised people, and it’s love for yourself as well.”
Earlier in the day, the community network will host a Powder Room event, giving Trans+ people access to free clothing, accessories and more with an entry fee of £3.
The event will also offer free services, including haircuts, makeup and nail treatments, allowing attendees to prepare for the evening or simply enjoy a space focused on collective self-care.
Protect Scouse Dolls is a community-led fund and service network rooted in Liverpool, dedicated to the wellbeing and collective freedom of the Trans+ community. The organisation began last summer, initially selling t-shirts to raise funds before expanding it’s work.
Since launching its Essential Care Fund, it has already provided more than £5,000 in direct support, helping with essential living expenses and supporting existing and developing mutual aid programmes.
Felix added: “Trans people typically have less access to support because of discrimination in workplaces and a lack of opportunities.”
Alongside fundraising, Protect Scouse Dolls partners with Liverpool Dolls Social, a monthly meet-up for Trans women and non-binary femmes, and sponsors the Trans + Enby Football Club, covering kit and pitch costs.
They plan to expand their work through new community events and the development of a community allotment aimed at growing food and creating emergency accommodation.
The Valentine’s Day event will take place at Liverpool’s iconic independent venue, Quarry. Doors open at 8pm on the 14th February.
Tickets are available via Instagram @protectscousedolls or online here https://www.skiddle.com
