Lavender Lives part II
Creative Stirling have been working in close partnership with LGBT Youth Scotland to develop opportunities for LGBTQIA+ young people in our community. Our first project, Lavender Lives, allowed young people from LGBTYS’ Stirling “Triangle” and Falkirk “FK1nclude” groups to create work from an LGBT History Month exhibition: focusing on their experiences growing up as an LGBTQIA+ young person living in Forth Valley (FV).
This project was a catalyst in getting the community engaged in conversations surrounding Forth Valley Pride. This was something the young people felt passionate about: more visibility, celebrations, opportunities, and safety for LGBTQIA+ people in their area. Collaboratively, LGBT Youth Scotland, Creative Stirling and University of Stirling released a consultation for FV residents, with 92% voting in favour of FV Pride. Following this consultation, we will support the set-up of a committee who will organise FV Pride plans forward. You can see all results and get involved with FV Pride plans here- www.creativestirling.org/fv-pride.
Recently, Creative Stirling secured funding from Youthlink Arts Fund for Lavender Lives Part II. This will allow us to continue growing our partnership and provide further creative learning, employability, and confidence building opportunities for young people, with hopes for this to link in with Forth Valley Pride 2024 developments. The project has been developed from ideas, passions and interests that were highlighted by young people in our first Lavender Lives project. This opportunity will allow young people to vocalise their experiences and create work based around the theme of EDI, hate-crime, and other personal experiences.
As requested by the young people, some of the activities that we will run include comic book design, animation, ceramics, printmaking, board game design, employability skills, Queer-mapping, and podcasting. We are commissioning local creatives to work with the YP to provide them with new skills and networks to create works that empower them. It is our hope that the some of the work created can be showcased in an exhibition as part of Forth Valley Pride, with Creative Stirling hoping to host FV Pride’s youth space.
Our partnership working has helped us to develop and achieve our organisation EDI goals and priorities. We have thoroughly enjoyed working with LGBT Youth Scotland’s staff and young people and are so excited to see what our partnership work can help develop for our community in future. It is our hope to soon gain our LGBT Charter to help us continue advocating and promoting equality throughout our organisation.
If you are between the ages of 13 and 25, identify as LGBTQIA+, living in Forth Valley, and would like to be involved in Lavender Lives, please find out more information here: www.creativestirling.org/lavender-lives