Ludus Dance proudly celebrates inclusivity and diversity
International Day Against Homphobia, Transphobia and Biphobia – 17th May 2018
Since it was created in 2004, International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia has worked to raise awareness of LGBTQ rights and aims to confront the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTQ people internationally. On this day, people are brought together to direct the attention of the public, the media and the authorities towards the struggle faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people who do not conform to society’s gender and sexual norms.
Ludus Dance proudly supports IDAHOTB and promotes inclusivity and diversity in their work and their organisation. In February, Ludus Dance worked together with PYRO (Proud Youth R Out) in Lancaster to celebrate LGBTQ History Month 2018.
What PYRO does in Lancaster
PYRO offers help for young people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or are questioning their sexual identity. They provide a safe, supportive and confidential space, where LGBT young people can share their experiences, meet new people and celebrate diversity. Ludus Dance supported the PYRO LGBT Youth Group in a creative project and gave them the opportunity to express themselves through creating short films. These short films were then featured as part of the film screening of ‘Reel in the Closet’, which was hosted by Lancashire LGBTQ and Ludus Dance, as part of Lancashire’s celebration of LGBTQ History Month 2018.
Through this creative experience, the PYRO LGBTQ Youth group was given the chance to work with Ludus Dance’s Artistic Director &CEO Anthony Briggs to direct, edit and perform in their own short films. The short films documented their emotional journey as a LGBTQ young person and helped them to promote a positive and powerful message to other LGBTQ young people, who may be experiencing their own feelings of fear and loneliness. This was powerfully demonstrated through the closing camera shot of ‘Below the Surface’ which reads ‘PROUD’ and follows with a final shot of the PYRO LGBTQ Youth Group celebrating together their individuality and different identities.
By getting involved in this project, LGBTQ young teens were able to work together with people who understand their struggles and support one another. One young person commented that the project made a “big impact on who I am” and another said that they had found a “place where I can be myself”.
Working to create a safe space
Ludus Dance inspires young people to have a voice and provides a creative, safe space for them to share it.
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