Love In All Its Forms With Sahir House

We sat down with the gorgeous Kat (they/she) from Sahir House to talk about ‘Love In All It’s Forms” (our February theme). Sahir is Liverpool City region’s largest and oldest LGBTQ+ and HIV support service, providing one-to-one support, peer support and counselling to LGBTQ+ folk and people who are living with or affected by HIV.

Introduction

1. How would you describe love, in your own words, right now in your life?

Love is a feeling and process that helps make the world that bit better. It comes in many forms, intimately, platonically and worldly, it’s all around!

2. What does “Love In All Its Forms” mean to you personally?

Exactly that, love is formed and given to in many different forms, it’s not one size fits all. It’s friendship, chosen family, solidarity, shared struggle, celebration, softness, and survival. It’s expansive and creative — just like our community.

3. What’s something you wish more people understood about love within the LGBTQ+ community?

I wish more people understood that love within the LGBTQ+ community is often intentional. Many of us have had to build our own support systems, our own families, our own safe spaces. That kind of love is so powerful — it’s chosen, protected, and deeply rooted in resilience and strength.

Love Beyond Romance 

4. What kinds of love have been most important to you - friendship, chosen family, community, self-love, romantic love, something else?

Personally, chosen family and friendship mean more to me in terms of love, the bonds between my chosen family and friends is longer standing.

5. Has your understanding of love changed as you’ve grown older or become more confident in who you are?

Very much so, as I have learnt more about myself, my gender and my sexuality, my understanding of what love is and how it may present has changed and I have become more confident in myself and my expression.

6. Who or what has made you feel most loved during difficult moments?

Definitely, my closest friends – they are there for me always and I am there for them too!

Self-Love & Identity

7. What has your journey with self-love looked like, and what has helped along theway?

I am still on the journey of self-love, it takes a lot to find a likeness in yourself, let alone a feeling of love. It used to be masked with going out and enjoying time with others feeling that like fuelled the self-love but actually the more time I spend with myself and getting to know myself is helping me recognise that being in your own company is actually the way to form and build on that self-love.

8. Are there small acts of self-love that feel especially powerful to you?

Personally, it’s giving myself time and grounding myself in my home that feels most powerful.

Community & Visibility

9. Why do safe, inclusive spaces (online or offline) matter so much?

For our LGBTQ+ Community, safe spaces matter a great deal as they allow us to breathe especially in this world where our identities are being debated or politicised. Safe spaces such as Sahir, help us feel affirmed in who we are, as we have the right to be our true selves.

10. Can you share a moment where community made a difference for you?

There have been a few moments in my life I can recall feeling that the community coming together has made such a difference, a massive positive impact such as Pride events, especially Liverpool’s Pride 2025 and the gatherings for Trans Day of Visibility, Trans Day of Remembrance and World AIDS Day vigils. Feeling the love from the community helps lift you.

11. What does love look like when it shows up as allyship?

Love as allyship looks like action. It’s speaking up when it’s uncomfortable. It’s listening without defensiveness. It’s advocating for policies, protections, and dignity, all year round.

Joy, Comfort & Everyday Life

12. What brings you comfort on hard days?

I get comfort from my chosen folk around me, I get comfort from music and feeling connected with others.

13. What’s something that’s bringing you joy at the moment (big or small)?

At the moment, I am getting the most joy out of seeing my younger family grow into themselves, finding out who they are and knowing that their kind souls are going to be the future of this society.

14. If love were a feeling, a place, or a moment - what would it be for you?

I struggle with questions like this with ADHD, but if I had to answer, love would be a Sunday morning, chilled and getting ready to start that new week ahead! No pressure, no expectations!

Looking Forward

15. What gives you hope when you think about the future?

Young people who are unapologetically and authentically themselves. Intergenerational conversations. When thinking of the future, I have hope that our community will stand together in solidarity, where even though we face discrimination, inequality and lesser than some, our LGBTQ+ communities continue to create, organise, and care for one another.

16. What kind of world do you hope we’re building when we talk about love in all its forms?

I hope we’re building a world where love isn’t conditional and where safety isn’t a privilege for some but for all. Where difference isn’t feared but valued and appreciated. I’d love to live in a world where no one has to fight simply to exist.

17. If someone reading this is questioning, figuring things out, or feeling alone - what would you want them to know?

Firstly, I’d like them to know they are far from alone, even if that’s how they feel right now. There is a community out there that will see you and celebrate you exactly as you are. Take your time — you deserve softness too.

A massive thank you to Kat for being so open with us. If you’d like to learn more about the incredible work that Sahir House do, check out their website here and their Instagram here!

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