The RAD celebrates Pride Month
Each year, Pride Month is a key opportunity for charities like the RAD to highlight their commitment and allyship to the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
As part of the celebrations for Pride Month 2025, Lee Davall from the RAD’s LGBTQIA2S+ working group created a striking Pride Month display in The Wolfson Library to bring the sources and voices of the RAD to life.
We caught up with Lee to find out more about the display.
Q: Tell us about this year’s Pride display in the library and how it came about.
A: Over the past two years, the LGBTQIA2S+ working group has curated the feature display in the library as part of Pride Month celebrations. This year, we wanted the library sources and voices of the RAD to come alive within the display. I worked on the display along with the working group and Library and Archives Manager, Rebecca Blackbourn.
Q: What can visitors expect?
A: Visitors can expect to see a welcoming display of LGBTQIA2S+ sources coming to life, as well as material from RAD’s first London Pride March last year with quotes from the RAD community, and helpful advice from LGBTQIA2S+ charities. Seeing how the RAD lives and breathes this beyond the page was an important part of this year’s design.
Q: What is your favourite part of the design?
A: My favourite part of the display is the pillar with images of the RAD marching at London Pride 2024. This is paired with projecting ‘lived experiences’ quotes which bring together the voices of RAD staff, students and members. The living and embodying of this ‘belonging’ make us proud to be part of one RAD.
Q: Why is it important to showcase voices/people from the LGBTQIA2S+ community in this display?
A: Everyone deserves a voice. Hearing from those within the LGBTQIA2S+ community and allies was a vital part of the installation. The Pride Month feature in The Wolfson Library provides an opportunity for the voices to come alive and be visible by illustrating how dance gives expression to diverse identities.
On Saturday 5 July, the RAD will be proudly participating in London Pride March 2025. We can’t wait to join forces with other charities and organisations to share in the joy and celebrate the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
