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EmailWith the deadline fast approaching for UK Black Pride’s inaugural survey of LGBTQI+ Black people and people of colour, we spoke to some of the incredible activists, organisers and creatives taking part to find our why it’s so important to be heard.
This survey has closed.
1. Kayza Rose
Kayza Rose (she/her) is a dynamic creative producer, artistic director, filmmaker, activist and cultural leader based in London, UK. For more than a decade, she has focused her work on creating change for Black and POC through a variety of editorial, creative and artistic endeavors for companies and community-based organisations.
What brings you joy?
Feeling like I’ve made some kind of impactful change, even if that change means being still in order to heal. My community. The wonderful friendships I have, and I also need to take a moment to acknowledge that my plants give me immense joy and comfort.
What are you most anticipating from the findings from the UK Black Pride survey?
Being introduced to siblings who we may not have connected with previously. Part of my role as Head of External Events at UK Black Pride is to see how we can connect in meaningful ways with our communities, especially those outside of London.
Why do you think it’s important to have your voice heard in this survey?
Black and POC folk are often left out of the national narrative, this survey is now part of our history. This survey can be used to give us a voice statistically, stats are often used to back up a case for funding and other support for specific groups. This is a chance to be heard and seen in ways we just haven’t been before. This is so powerful!
2. Aisha Shaibu
Aisha Shaibu, Head of Community Engagement at UK Black Pride. Aisha creates space and amplifies marginalised voices through various community projects across the globe. She is a rising entrepreneur tackling the lack of diversity in nightlife & the travel industry.
What brings you joy?
I find joy in the moments where I am able to connect with a diverse range of queer people in an inclusive and safe environment. But most of all my joy comes from when I am able to be visible & proud at work and whilst sharing the little moments in my life with my fiancée.
What are you most anticipating from the findings from the UK Black Pride survey?
I am anticipating that the survey will provide an in-depth report and analysis of our QTIPOC community across the UK like never before. We don't have enough data that highlights key issues about the experiences, lives and joy of LGBTQI+ Black people and people of colour living in the UK.
Why do you think it’s important to have your voice heard in this survey?
It is important to have our voices heard in this survey because for the first time I actually feel that a survey like this will make a difference. It will play a vital role in understanding our needs especially after the pandemic but also provide access to information on how our community can be better supported.
3. Tajah
Tajah is Senior International Programmes officer for Out of the Margins at Stonewall.
What brings you joy?
Dancing! It made me feel more in contact with my body at a time when all there was to do was to look at it and the way it changed during the pandemic.
What are you most anticipating from the findings from the UK Black Pride survey?
The affirmation that not having access to QTIPOC (Queer, trans, intersex people of colour) in person spaces has been really hard for others and not just me. I’d made the decision to live more openly in my queerness only a couple months before lockdown 1, and the lack of in person spaces has meant lack of access to meeting other QTIPOC. I’m hoping that these findings lead to more venues accommodating our community’s needs!
Why do you think it’s important to have your voice heard in this survey?
Because it’s still not the norm that when people think of the LGBTQ+ community, they think of people like us! The world needs to finally accept that QTIPOC come from all backgrounds and ways of life.
4. Liz Ward
Liz Ward (she/her) is Director of Programmes at Stonewall. She has spent her career working in the charity sector fighting for racial justice, equality and creating a world where everyone is free to be themselves. Find Liz on Twitter @lizmaryward either bigging up Marcus Rashford or ruminating on Women's football - with a healthy dose of social justice chat to boot.
Until recently, Liz had led The Advocacy Academy, the UK's only Social Justice Leadership programme, launching campaigns focusing on decolonising the curriculum, improved legal aid for students, tackling police brutality and creating spaces for religious queer kids of colour.
What brings you joy?
I feel the most joy when I see others feeling joy. Maybe I should reframe that as love - as for me, joy is love. The liberating feeling of sharing space with your loved ones, expressing your needs openly and freely is joy-filling for me. I believe in that for marginalized people - joy is a radical act. I try to make sure I feel a little bit of joy every day, whether that's having the perfect cup of tea, holding hands with my girlfriend, or making an amazing sandwich - I celebrate the micro-joys of the average day.
What are you most anticipating from the findings from the UK Black Pride survey?
These last 12 months have been hard, and our community has unfairly suffered. I believe that many of us will be connected in this - the feelings of isolation, the anger. For Black Queer people, I believe many of us are connected in our struggles - feeling safe in public, coming out to family. There's something so deep that underpins the Black queer experience and feeling less alone in that struggle is empowering.
Why do you think it’s important to have your voice heard in this survey?
Our community is hardly ever listened to, that’s a fact. We have learnt to shout, because we had to. This survey gives us the chance to share our fears, worries, joys in a way UK Black Pride has never done before. Be sure to tell your story.
5. India Hosten-Hughes
India Hosten-Hughes (she/her) is a queer nerd of all things super-powered and magical.
What brings you joy?
I am an introvert and I really love down time and fully immersing myself in self-care. I find joy in finding inner peace and having a sound mind, even if that means a day of binging anime, washing my hair, and doing my nails, those are the days I absolutely adore.
What are you most anticipating from the findings from the UK Black Pride survey?
Growing up I didn’t know many Black or Asian LGBTQ+ people. I didn’t meet others like me until I became an adult, so I am intrigued to see how we feel we are represented, supported, and embraced today compared to so many years ago.
Why do you think it’s important to have your voice heard in this survey?
Education, health care and employers need to know if they are doing well supporting us or if they are failing. Our intersectional lived experiences are unique and there are large gaps in key areas that could support Queer, Trans, Intersex, Bi people of colour (QTIBPOC).
This survey has closed.
The findings from this survey will help inform the first UK Black Pride Community Action Plan, through which funding will be distributed to communities. Have your voice heard and help determine UK Black Pride continue to make a lasting impact on the LGBTQI+ Black people and people of colour they represent.
