NYX Professional Makeup speaks to Kemal and Marleigh about creating spaces for Queer People of Colour outside central London
ADVERTORIAL, BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY TIFFANNIE MERSADES VIA WE ARE SOUL
London is often regarded as one of the LGBTQIA+ capitals of the world: Soho and its bustling bars, the dazzling scenes at Pride in London each year, and countless pop culture references teeming around every corner. While London’s LGBTQIA+ scene may stretch across countless identities, its geographical area doesn’t tend to expand past Zone 1. Often focused in central London, the city’s LGBTQIA+ community can often feel like there’s a postcode requirement.
It was precisely these feelings of exclusion which led to the formation of SE London Pride. This volunteer-led festival aims to celebrate diversity and empower the disadvantaged LGBTQIA+ communities in SE London and its surrounding areas. South East London Pride, or SE London Pride, is one of the trailblazing organisations that have been spotlighted this year by NYX Professional Makeup’s Proudly Pro-You brand initiative. Partnering with UK Black Pride and Stonewall, NYX Professional Makeup’s initiative launched in 2022 with the aim of uplifting and platforming LGBTQIA+ people of colour alongside supporting queer-safe spaces for Queer People of Colour.
Kemal and Marleigh, two of the incredible volunteers who have helped make SE London Pride a reality, spoke to NYX Professional Makeup about why this festival is so vital. “We create spaces for queer people within our community to show people that they don’t have to go to central London to be themselves.”
Through the UK Black Pride Community Act Fund supported by NYX Professional Makeup, SE London Pride were able to put on their very own “humongous event”. It also meant that they could reach more areas in South East London, uniting different communities that often are not reached by LGBTQIA+ groups.
Speaking to NYX Professional Makeup, Kemal and Marleigh reflected on a powerful response to SE London Pride. “We had a couple, one was 78 and one 83, who had never, ever been to a Pride in their life due to them being quite scared to go to central London. This is why we’re doing it. We’re doing it so you can come out of your house and you can be you.”
“It’s showing people that we’re not going anywhere. We’re here to stay.”
By creating this space for LGBTQIA+ people in SE London, the festival has reminded people that there is a welcoming community of queer people on their doorstep.
Live Proudly Pro-You!
DIVA magazine celebrates 30 years in print in 2024. If you like what we do, then get behind LGBTQIA media and keep us going for another generation. Your support is invaluable.
