Hello,
It’s been a busy few weeks. A busy few months. I’ve been sort of floating around in my own brain trying to figure out what to do with myself post-book, making a few false starts, sending lots of pitches, chatting to people about potential projects, and generally trying not to panic about the passage of time. If you’re a freelancer, I’m sure you know the feeling.
I finally feel like I am making some (minimal) progress. I had a piece in the Guardian this week, for the first time in months, which was really fun to do and reminded me that I do in fact know how to do my job. So that’s good. I think I’m also getting closer to deciding what my next big writing project is going to be, too, and it feels good to have a sense of purpose.
What has become increasingly clear, though, is that writing is not enough - either financially or as a way to dismantle ableism (who’d have thought?). So I am attempting to add some strings to my rather forlorn-looking bow.
I’m taking a multipronged approach. First on the list has been trying to formalise my anti-ableism speaking work. I really love going into organisations and demystifying disability, equipping people to be allies, because it feels like a very direct and effective way of moving the needle. Sometimes you can see the lightbulb go on in people’s heads as you’re talking. It’s really rewarding, but so far it’s all been a bit haphazard, and I’ve basically relied on people finding me on social media. But I’ve taken some steps this week that’ll hopefully lead to more of this sort of work. In the meantime, if you think your organisation could be interested in a talk, please do get in touch!
In a similar vein, I am also looking into doing some media consultancy work. Long term readers of this newsletter will know that I really, really want the media to do a better job of covering disability and disabled people, and it’s belatedly occurred to me that, alongside producing that coverage myself, I have the knowledge and skills to help others do it too. So I’m working to nail down a plan for workshops and other things I can offer, and I’m looking forward to seeing where this takes me. Watch this space, I suppose. (Again, if you are a media type interested in this stuff, say hello!)
So far, so predictable, though. I was always going to take on a new writing project, and the speaking/consultancy stuff is a continuation of things I was already sort of doing. But I’ve also taken a bit of a leap into something brand new, and it’s this I am most excited to tell you about. Because in a somewhat unexpected development, I am…
*drumroll please*
Putting on a Disability/LGBTQ Pride event!
Talk about things I never thought I’d say.
In all seriousness, I am so excited and so proud of this project. I’ve been saying for a while that I wanted to do something for the disability community to mark Disability Pride Month, and when I realised I could combine it with celebrating my newfound community too, I knew I had to try and make it work. So many disabled people feel excluded from LGBTQ Pride and we don’t get to celebrate our own pride, so this seemed like a way to right both of those wrongs, to do something tangible for the communities that have done so much for me. To do some real good.
So I floated the idea to my friend Kim, who organises queer events, and she loved it. Together I think we have built something truly accessible and inclusive, that welcomes both of these communities in all their diversity.
Full details of what we have planned and all the access info here, where you can also get tickets (for in person or online). If you are disabled, queer, brilliantly both or just a fab ally, I hope you’ll join us!
It is quite something that last June I was nervous to publicly come out - trying to work out what it meant to be disabled and gay at the same time - and this June I am putting on a Pride event that celebrates being exactly that. It feels like a cliché to say, but my heart really is full, and I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be than this event.
It’s seven months since the book came out and I can finally feel some direction coming back to my life. Between logical next steps and unexpected leaps, I am excited to see where activism and life takes me next. Who knows what’s around the corner.
Speak soon,
Lucy