Restless Violets

July was Disability Pride month, which gives an opportunity for the lesbian community and wider LGBT+ community to acknowledge and celebrate the work and contributions of disabled lesbians and LGBT+ women that make a positive difference in a number of ways.

This includes journalist and author Lucy Webster and LGBT+ events organiser Kim, who founded Every Body Queer in the summer of 2024, with the goal of creating inclusive, accessible events for LGBT+ people across the UK.

Their latest event in London was a triumph, bringing to life an experience many in the LGBT+ community never got to have: a prom.

The Disabled, Queer Prom was held at The Albany in Deptford and attracted a large, joyful crowd. It was a night full of sparkle, music, and laughter, but beneath the glitter, it was also a powerful reminder of why accessible queer spaces matter. For many attendees, this was the first time they’d been able to attend an event like this without compromising their comfort, safety, or identity.

As someone who struggles with sensory issues, I often avoid large events and parties. But this prom was different. It was planned with people like me in mind, a consideration that is still frustratingly rare in most mainstream and even LGBT+ spaces. The venue was fully accessible, with clear signage, step-free access, and a calm, considered layout. There was even a quiet room, softly lit and cosy, for anyone who needed to take a break from the music and crowd — and yes, I used it a few times, leaving with a sense of calm every single time, and a smile as I remembered that this was an event where they had considered the needs of someone like me.

Everything about the event felt intentional. Nobody in attendance was an afterthought. This was access as joy. This was pride that didn’t come at the cost of safety, dignity or comfort.

It can be easy to forget, amid the noise of more commercialised Pride events, that for some members of our community, getting through the front door of a venue is half the battle. For others, it’s the sensory overwhelm, the anxiety of being misunderstood, or the feeling that you don’t quite belong. What Lucy and Kim have created with Every Body Queer is a space that fights back against systemic ableism, and never allows anybody to feel forgotten.

As Disability Pride Month comes to an end, let’s not forget to uplift the voices and work of disabled lesbians and LGBT+ women who are changing our community for the better all year round.

To find out more about the work that Lucy and Kim are doing with Every Body Queer, and to keep up to date on exciting future events, find them on Instagram.