Celebrating LGBT History Month

We were delighted to be approached by LGBT Youth Scotland  to create an original performance piece to mark the start of LGTB History Month at a parliamentary reception at the Scottish Parliament.

We invited a group of trans activists from across Scotland, between the ages of 19 to 24, to find their voice and to explore their creativity with professional artists, from spoken word to choreography. The result was an original performance piece that challenged Section 28, the policy that that banned discussion of same-sex relationships in schools; what society has learnt from it; and what it meant for the LGBTQ+ community.  

 “We took up space, we demanded that the politicians listened to us as we talked about the legacy of Section 28 […] We managed to come together, to perform something powerful and beautiful. I am so proud of every single person” – Participant

Opening the parliamentary reception with a bang, the performers delivered a poignant and emotional performance that gripped us all. Inspired by 1980s aesthetics, they wanted to highlight and celebrate the activists and protesters that stood against Section 28 when it came into effect, and to draw parallels between now and then.

The parliamentary reception, hosted by Monica Lennon, Scottish Labour Party MSP, welcomed over 300 representatives from various organisations, such as Capital Theatres, LGBT Youth Scotland, LGBT Health and Wellbeing, LGBT Age Scotland, as well as members of the Scottish Parliament. 

“I cannot thank you or Capital Theatres enough […] This experience has been truly invaluable to me and has made me believe that I have a creative voice” - Participant

We are proud to have played a small part in getting the voices of these young trans activists heard in the Scottish Parliament, and of the quality of the work and performance they delivered after only having three days to co-create and rehearse the original performance piece. The performance piece will be featured as part of ‘Invade the Stage’, our celebration of all the work we do with the community on and off our stages.