Clap for Creatives!
These 21 queer creatives decided retraining in cyber wasn’t for them.
Over the past 12 months we have seen so many highly talented queer creatives fall by the wayside as our Government continued to grossly overlook and ultimately fail our vibrant and vital creative industries. The struggle has been real, but queer creatives are made of harder stuff. From theatre and live music, to comedy and literature, we wanted to highlight the lockdown experiences of 21 LGBTQ+ creatives who faced great challenges but overcame them through their charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent. We hope this list – made up of both familiar faces and hidden talents – shares a message of hope and inspiration to queer creatives everywhere.
Benjamin Dean (He/Him)
Celebrity Reporter and Author
After releasing his debut book Me, My Dad and The End of The Rainbow in February, Benjamin Dean spoke to us about the trials and tribulations of its release.
“At first, it felt a little disappointing. You put years of hard work into one project, get the big break you’ve always wanted and then…lockdown swoops in and puts a bit of a dampener on it. I’ll have some form of virtual launch party, which isn’t quite how I imagined my grand moment to go, but at least I can wear joggers and order McDonald’s straight afterwards! Don’t let that fire be put out because of what’s going on around you. Focus your energy on achieving your goal step by step and let your future agent and publisher worry about the state of the industry … In summary writing it? Exhausting. Publishing it? Exhilarating.”
Rosie Jones (She/Her)
Comedian and Writer
“Pre-lockdown, I gigged every single night, without fail. I love my job, and I am my happiest when I’m on stage, in front of an audience, making people laugh. Lockdown changes all of that, and I have been unable to gig in comedy clubs for a year now. I miss it, and I miss how happy it made me. It’s quite refreshing to know that even when your whole career goes out of the window overnight, you’re able to pick yoursWelfourpds and find new, innovative ways of still doing your job from home. Now, more than ever, people want to be entertained and amused. I have lots of bits and bobs going on. Mainly a travel show. Yes I wHaasitrhabtyidSiovtwehno filmed a travel show during a global pandemic! That’ll be on Channel 4 in the spring. And my podcast with Helen Bauer, Daddy Look At Me, is out now, and can be downloaded from alMl goaokdepuopdcbasyt dAonwanloTaad platforms. New episodes released every Thursday!”
Maryann Wright (She/Her)
Founder and Director of Sappho Events
“Sappho launched during lockdown so we instantly knew we’d need to be online until restrictions were lifted. Although we want to produce in-person events as soon as we can, one of the bonuses of lockdown is that people UK-wide can attend, which means we can assemble a fantastic group of LGBTQ+ women and non-binary people to connect with each other. There’s also something magical about our community and how we all have banded together to champion each other. The greatest thrill has been talking to LGBTQ+ artists across the UK who have an idea for an event, and we can quickly move from a great idea to co-producing and selling tickets to an online event. At Sappho it isn’t about whether you’re single or in a relationship or not looking for love at all, the basis of our events is that it’s a fun way to build community with other queers and have a good time sharing an activity together.”
Nakhane (They/Them)
Writer, Musician and Actor
“With my music; unlike a lot of my friends and contemporaries I didn’t share that much work. I have been making an album, so I actually didn’t have anything to share that was ready. Being reclusive and being in lockdown are two completely different experiences. One is choice, the other is law. You are not allowed to leave the house, which on some level makes you want to leave the house; and because of that you start to climb up the walls. Nature and walks help me. Taking things in. My album should be out in the summer...hopefully!”
Graeme Fullwood (He/Him) Freelance Creative
“As queer people we’ve had to learn resilience and perseverance and I’ve applied that to my creative mentality. As with everything, there’s ups and downs, and you navigate yourself through them. My weekends have become precious, so I’m up at 5am Saturday and Sunday getting through as much as I can. I think the biggest challenge hasn’t been so much the pandemic, but the ongoing internet censorship of queer artists. Instagram specifically is really clamping down on what they consider against their terms of service. So artists like myself, who have decided to focus on the joys of sex are continuously restricted. I think it’s time for social platforms to speak with queer creatives and work together on finding the sweet spot. Let’s assume 2021 sees the end of COVID-19, my plans are a self-published zine of my drawings, to pick up my camera again and continue taking portraits, as well as collaborating with other creatives. Fingers crossed!
Rob Madge (He/Him/They/Them) Actor and Writer
“What’s most crushing is the lack of consistency. One minute we’re locked down, the next we’re told we’ll be able to reopen for Christmas, then we’re locked down again. It’s sort of like going through one of those really bad break-ups where you agree to split up but make the dreadful decision to hook up every now and then, only to finally be told ‘nah, turns out I’ve decided I’m definitely NOT into you’. It’s not you, it’s me. That sort of thing. I’ve been very grateful for the old social media. I’ve always been a bit of a writer so even just being able to put some of that to practice in a two minute twenty second sketch on Twitter has kept me somewhat sane. Emphasis on ‘somewhat’. I also feel lucky to be back in the family home where my collection of truly awful wigs from my childhood living room performances have finally been put to use after a decade. I’m now working on my first solo show My Son’s A Queer But What Can You Do?, which is inspired by my family’s overwhelming support for my queerness even when I forced them to watch me play The Little Mermaid in my living room every single weekend. Hopefully it will be on very soon!”
Radam Ridwan (They/Them)
Writer, Creator and Poser
“I can’t stress enough that there is no correct way to emotionally deal with a global pandemic. However, something I personally found cathartic was the creation of my Lockdown Lookbook. It began out of necessity, to create anything during this period of stifled expression. Originally published daily on Instagram, the project transformed into a photographic catalogue of 50 different fashion looks for each of the first 50 days of lockdown. On some days, outfits were put together to match moods. On others, it was simply to feed what felt like a monster of my own creation. There is an unfair expectation on artists to be constantly creating, and when you have a pandemic greatly restraining LGBTQIA+ creatives, creation is simply not a possibility for many. I don’t have the magic words for How To Thrive During Lockdown. I consider myself lucky. I am lucky to have a home where I have space to create, fabulous clothes to show off on Zoom, a talented friend/ housemate to manifest ideas with, and people buying my art so I can pay rent.
We so regularly look back on pictures of ourselves and exclaim ‘that’s a look I’d rather forget!’ I wish to complete a process of reclamation by recreating these moments but without the restrictions of gender limiting my expression. Think… what would you have worn on a first date, at prom, family Christmases, on a night out dancing… if you weren’t worried about fitting in? The book — which I’m calling Looks I’d Rather Remember — will centre the exploration of moments beyond binary gender norms through a fashion photographic lens.”
Brendan Geoghegan and Matthew Riley (He/Him)
Bottoming Podcast Co-hosts and producers
“After the shitshow of 2020, it kind of felt like the right time to pick up the conversation again. We had episodes and themes planned from the first season that we were able to pick right back up, that we think are actually stronger and even more important to discuss now, as the conversation around mental health is probably more important than it’s ever been. The people we’ve spoken to and the discussions we’re now able to have with our community amidst what’s happening in the world have actually been amazing. We both work full time, and Brendan studies too, so it’s a lot of work, but it’s an absolute joy to do and really does light up the dark for us. We’ve already got some gorgeously stunning guests lined up for this season and are planning ahead for later in the year too. Our aim from the start was to have a laugh with the conversations, while still tackling important topics around LGBTQ+ mental health, so there’ll be more of that. Oh, and maybe a post-pandemic world tour. Bottoming in Barcelona doesn’t sound too bad!”
Tom Allen (He/Him)
Comedian, Presenter and Writer
“I’ve enjoyed leaning into social media platforms. I’d always assumed they were for people much more powerful than me - weight lifters and the cast of Love Island and such. But then I realised there’s something really democratising about the whole affair because everyone is welcome to put up a sketch or a photo or whatever they want. At a time when we’ve all felt so isolated it felt important to put things out there that let people know they’re not alone going through this … you learn to stop asking for permission and you have to just get on with it and trust that your instinct is right. The paperback of my book No Shame (...did I mention I’ve written a book?) is released in the summer which I’m very excited about. I’ve been really pleased that people have connected with my experiences of not just being gay but also of feeling different - and eccentric - and not seeming to make sense at all. There was a time when I thought I was the only one. I’m also looking forward to making another series of Bake Off The Professionals for Channel 4 and There’s Something About Movies for Sky. I’m also finally getting to bake in the forthcoming Great British Stand Up To Cancer Bake Off!”
Shivani Dave (They/Them)
Presenter, Producer and Journalist
“As a broadcaster and journalist I have largely been able to continue to work in the new normal. Most of my on-air work actually still comes from a studio which feels like a real privilege. I also produce an independent podcast, called The Log Books (think of it as the real stories behind It’s A Sin), getting episodes of that out has been drastically different to working for the BBC. I have two incredible co-producers who have been a great support, if it wasn’t for them the podcast and I would have fallen apart countless times in the last year. To be able to wake up each day and put my time and effort into something has really helped me tell the weekdays from the weekends. But there is so much pressure on people to use lockdowns to do something incredible, or go viral, or whatever. I’ve been really conscious to make sure I still give myself time to rest, which is so important. After all, it’s a pandemic – surviving is thriving. I’m presenting on your radios too! You can tune into BBC Radio Wiltshire if you’re in that neck of the woods, or listen o BBC Sounds.”
Layton Williams (He/Him) Actor/Writer
“During the first lockdown, me and my amazing non-binary writing partner Rhys Taylor collaborated and started writing a TV musical comedy. We realised whilst on tour with Everybody’s Talking About Jamie that we had the same idea for a show. We had some really fab news this week and are one step closer to (hopefully) sharing our authentic queer story with the world. It’s been so nice to have a ‘Corona Baby’ and something to work towards. It’s semi-autobiographical and I pull from some past experiences so it’s been therapeutic too.”
Jason Kwan (He/Him) Singer/Songwriter
“I managed to release three singles and three music videos in 2020, but it’s been really difficult not being able to promote them through live shows. I had finished recording most of my debut EP in 2019, preparing for an exciting year of releasing new music in 2020, but I’ve had to adapt and purely use my online platform to share my new music. I have been able to film two music videos during lockdown and start writing a couple of songs. I had to minimise the amount of people on set and in shoots, and even did a video where it was just me...but having a more minimalistic approach to my videos has helped me focus more on performing the lyrics, emotions, and meanings of the songs. It was also nice to take a break from performing and take some time to focus on finishing up my debut EP. I feel very lucky to still be able to record and write music in my own time. For me, 2021 will be a year of manifesting and a chance for me to create more opportunities to share my music with more people.”
Ashley Tamuno Burr (He/They)
Fashion Student and Model
“It’s now more about what I can do in the space of my home, how I can play around and experiment with my own direction. Social media has been a great way to showcase that. Connections are vital, not just to find work, so we can look out for each other and find help when we need it. Making friends through previous jobs has allowed me to create content alongside them. The creative industry won’t make it through if we don’t prioritise support and a sense of community. Studying a fashion degree has presented itself as a challenge in its own right. It’s difficult to find structure, so I’m still relying on self-care habits to keep me going. It’s become far too easy to doom-scroll on Instagram, so I’ve found it crucial to consume less and take things at my own pace. I’m still getting used to Zoom castings and my self-shooting skills have definitely improved. Creating a little escape by turning my dining room into a studio or working on projects has been so important – we still need things to look forward to! In 2021, expect more energy, more content, more looks. Everything that 2020 has taken away will be made up for in some way or another.”
Allie Daniel (She/Her) Actor
“For almost all of 2020, I felt completely without hope and found my mental health deteriorating as a result. To see that even now the Arts are barely coping is yet another reminder of how this government has failed us. In the few times where creative projects have been able to happen, it’s been an almost dream-like experience. Being briefly connected with other creatives and taking up artistic space again in either online platforms or in COVID-safe filming capacities is a bittersweet reminder of how much the arts, performing, and creativity are part of my identity and vital to so many other artists. But! I’ll be appearing in two upcoming online concerts, The Secret Society of Leading Ladies - A Bandersnatch-style interactive concert with 150 possible outcomes streamed until 7 March at The Barn Theatre, and Break Free with Thespie - an on-demand online concert celebrating LGBTQ+ performers with all the proceeds being donated to Stonewall UK.”
Holly Stars (She/Her) Comedian/Writer
“I’ve worked closely with drag production company Tuckshop for a while and was thrilled when they asked if I’d be interested to write a drag murder mystery for them and their co-producers, Trafalgar Entertainment. I wrote the show over the summer of 2020 and we started rehearsals in November, not even knowing if we’d be out of Tier 3 in time for opening night! Thankfully we were, and we were able to run two of the six weeks of our scheduled performances.
Death Drop was the first full drag cast show in the West End, and the majority of our production team were members of the queer community. For me, working in this kind of environment was infinitely empowering, and the audience response showed us all how important this level of representation is. Of course, this year the Black Lives Matter protests were more wide-reaching than ever before, and we’ve experienced what feels like a surge in transphobia in British media. I hope that when the theatre industry reopens we see these events reflected in the stories told on stage, and that we can use this year of fight and reflection to revitalise our industry by providing more roles on-stage and off-stage to Black and trans talent. I’d like to see more diverse stories told by more diverse teams in the big venues. I’d urge people who would usually buy tickets for live drag shows to buy merch from their favourite performers and send tips for online shows. If you can’t do that, subscribe to their YouTube channels and share their content as much as you can. One thing I do know is that drags, by necessity, have formidable strength and resilience. Once this pandemic is over they’ll be back stronger than ever before.”
Dylan Joel (He/Him)
Fashion Designer
“It was difficult seeing the industry fall. I was supposed to be making my runway debut with On/Off during London Fashion Week. It was difficult as I knew it would be a while until I was able to do a physical runway show and I had worked so hard to get to that point. I have a studio which I am able to escape to and it is safe as I am not interacting with the public, so it is still COVID-safe. It is like my own little home away from home – as my father calls it ‘my little factory’. There is a lot to look for in 2021 with my brand Dylan Joel. There will be a lot of new products available to purchase, extending my ranges and my brand will also be available at other retailers very soon.”
Tom Aspaul (He/Him) Singer/Songwriter
“Initially I was absolutely terrified by the prospect of being stranded up in The Midlands, halfway through finishing an album and halfway through launching the first singles for the project. Suddenly not being able to have studio time with Gil (Lewis who produced most of my album Black Country Disco) seemed to make everything seem impossible. However, the situation actually forced me to face up to something I’d been putting off for years - LEARN TO RECORD MY VOCALS and LEARN TO PRODUCE MY MUSIC! It’s actually really advanced my situation, because working from home has forced me to face up to things I was either too afraid of doing or too lazy to learn. I’ll admit I’ve come so far as an artist over the last 12 months, I slightly regret not doing this sooner! Better late than never … For 2021, I’m just on the precipice of releasing my first remix album! It’s every song from Black Country Disco reimagined by someone else. I’ve tried to work almost exclusively with queer musicians. We’ve got MNEK on there, Bronze Avery, Bright Light Bright Light - so that’s all very exciting. There’ll be two videos from this project and then I’ll begin writing Album #2, which already has a name and a concept! I just got funding from PPL Momentum and Arts Council England to help with the creation, so I can’t wait to get cracking on that!”
Char Ellesse (She/Her)
Founder of Girls Will Be Boys
“In 2020 I launched an IGTV series called Buzzcuts featuring womxn and non-binary folk across the globe telling their story of having a shaved head, off the back of my debut GWBB film Omg She’s Bald, and it was just so gorgeous to offer a space where people could still feel connected through their stories whilst being strangers. In the many ways that I am marginalised I found power in being a Queer Black Woman through my job and being able to continue to create work and inspire people in such weird isolating times. 2021 will bring plenty more content from Girls Will Be Boys, offering a space for people to tell their truth, and plenty more content of me, my personal experiences and a sprinkle of looks of course!”
Kate Moross (They/Them)
Creative Director at Studio Moross
“We have had an amazing reception to our projects in the past 12 months. A few projects we worked on – notably Kylie’s DISCO campaign and the Drag Race titles – had quite a big impact. We are a team of 10 at Studio Moross and we have all been remote since early March. We have tried to stay connected as a team. Most recently we all watched Travis Alabanza’s new play Overflow streamed by the Bush Theatre together. Fortunately, we have been busy so it’s been a welcome distraction. We have had some really brilliant projects come through the door, so there’s lots to celebrate!”
Harry Wright (He/Him)
Writer, Musician and Actor
“I’ve really enjoyed learning how to use online platforms which I hadn’t explored before. I made a YouTube series about autism awareness, Autism101, and am working on a second series of that currently. It’s interesting how the same FOMO that happens on the real-life comedy circuit has kicked in online. At first, I was just having fun, but as things have worn on, it’s easy to feel ‘oh, he’s had a viral tweet, she’s getting thousands of followers on Instagram’, and you have to sit back and look at what’s going on in the world and remind yourself how ridiculous that line of thinking is when we’re all locked in our houses and my grandma hasn’t had her vaccine yet! I recently did a work-in-progress show of my debut comedy hour, Smalltown Boy, at the Leicester Comedy Festival and I’m developing the real-life version which will hopefully be coming to a stage near you as soon as I can!
Alim Kheraj (He/Him) Writer
“If I’m being honest, staying inspired throughout 2020 was hard… I also had my book to write, Queer London, which was difficult in other ways: it’s hard to write a guide to LGBTQ+ London when you can’t actually leave the house and go anywhere. However, I think when you look into any aspect of queer history and queer life, there are stories of resiliance and strength. It might sound earnest, but I did find it inspiring, and it gave me a reason to carry on working on the book to make sure it was finished. The book became more than a guide but a way to capture LGBTQ+ London before the pandemic, while also shining a light on stories that I felt were important to tell. Queer London is out on 22 March 22. It’s an A-Z of LGBTQ+ London past, present and future, and I hope it will act as a guide for people, both new to the city and those looking to explore more about the city’s queer history. I will also continue my freelance writing, and I hope to start working on some short stories and my next book this year, too.”