Queer Spotlight Conversations: Celebrating Identity Through Clothing
- Feb 19
- 3 min read
A warm and honest panel event co-produced by Radiate Arts' Queer Spotlight volunteers. Held at Storyhouse during Storyhouse Queer 2026, the event brought together participants from both of the 2025 Queer Spotlight events to share personal stories about clothing, creativity, identity and community in front of an LGBTQIA+ audience.
Background
The Queer Spotlight Catwalk was a community led fashion and performance event created by Radiate Arts. It brought together LGBTQ plus participants of different ages and backgrounds to share something about themselves through clothing. For some, that meant wearing outfits they had made themselves. For others, it was about styling a look that expressed their identity, heritage or personality. The catwalk was less about fashion in a commercial sense and more about storytelling, confidence and visibility.
The events took place at Storyhouse Queer and at Chester Pride in 2025. Participants were supported through preparatory workshops that focused on stage presence, movement and building confidence before stepping onto the catwalk.
For many involved, it was the first time they had publicly celebrated their identity in this way. At its heart, the Queer Spotlight Catwalk was about visibility, creative expression and community connection.
As a follow up to the events, Radiate Arts co-produced the Conversations event, five brilliant volunteers who had previously taken part in the 2025 Queer Spotlights stepped forward to be part of the panel.
The group shaped the event together; through relaxed group discussions, they decided what felt important to talk about and worked out a format that felt supportive and natural. Everyone shared how meaningful it was to come back together, not just to tell their own stories, but to listen to others with different backgrounds and life experiences. The panel spanned generations, with ages ranging from 26 to 72.
Audiences were also treated to a beautiful performance from Indigo Spice!
Shaping the Conversation Together
The panel worked together to decide the themes, what they wanted to speak about, and how the conversation would flow. It meant the evening was grounded in real experience which the audience recognised and responded to.
Several people spoke about how much it meant to be invited back; for them, the Queer Spotlight events did not end when the catwalk finished. The connections and confidence built through the project have continued to grow.
As one participant put it:
“This is such a wonderful safe space and offers so much more than simply arts and crafts. It is a lifeline.”
Clothing, Creativity and Confidence
The event was attended by 21 people, and the feedback was full of appreciation for the honesty and openness in the room. A big theme of the evening was how powerful clothing and textiles can be for our wellbeing.
One panel of the panel, Stan, shared that he had always loved colour and clothing, but in his heterosexual dominated career he did not feel free to express himself. Now retired, he has found new energy through sewing. He is making his own clothes, experimenting with prints and textiles, and coming along to True Colours sewing every Friday. Being able to create what he wants, free from judgement, has been joyful and freeing.
Berry shared how she truly found her voice through clothes in her 40s. When she was younger, she felt she had to follow trends and fashion. Now, her style gives her energy and confidence through her mantra of "If I love it, I wear it!"
“At work I have to wear all black... but outside of work I don't think I own anything black at all!”
The Impact in the Room
Audience members described the evening as engaging, enlightening and heartfelt.
One attendee summed it up simply:
“Most enjoyable, enlightening and informative, thank you.”
Throughout the conversation, it became clear that clothing is not just about what we wear. It is about identity. It is about freedom. It is about healing. And when we share those stories in community where we feel safe and supported something wonderful happens.
Looking to The Future
The Queer Spotlight Conversation was a continuation of something special. By bringing people together across generations and experiences, the evening celebrated creativity, identity and the confidence that grows when we are truly seen.
These spaces matter. And we are excited to keep creating them.
Sign up to our newsletter to hear what is coming up, or book onto one of our True Colours creative sessions and join our growing community.
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