Queer Lives of Waltham Forest
Queer Lives of Waltham Forest is a community photography exhibition celebrating the diversity, creativity, resilience, and everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people across our borough.Photography has long played a vital role in documenting LGBTQ+ histories and experiences, preserving stories that have too often gone unseen while creating a lasting record for future generations.Created as part of Waltham Forest Pride 2026, a two-week community-led and borough-wide festival, the exhibition invited LGBTQ+ residents and people with a connection to Waltham Forest to share recent photographs capturing authentic moments of queer life. Rather than focusing solely on landmark occasions, the project celebrates the richness of family, friendship, love, identity, and belonging.The response to the open call was remarkable. We received submissions from people of different ages, cultural backgrounds, and identities, each offering a unique perspective on what it means to live and thrive as an LGBTQ+ person in Waltham Forest today. Together, these photographs document neighbourhoods, celebrations, chosen families, local landmarks and moments of tranquility, forming a collective portrait of our borough's vibrant queer community.The works on display were selected by a panel comprising a professional photographer, a curator, representatives from Soho Theatre Walthamstow, and members of the Waltham Forest Pride Collective. The selection process considered not only photographic quality, but also authenticity, storytelling, and the breadth of experiences represented.Alongside contemporary photography, the exhibition also highlights archival items from the long lasting LGBTQ+ history of Waltham Forest (Please note that this part of the exhibition was displayed only from 25–27 July at Winns Gallery). These include materials from the UK Gay Sports festival (2000), the first major national gay multi-sport event of its kind to be held in the United Kingdom. Among the individuals represented in this exhibition is Jackie Logan, who served on the organising committee for the UK Gay Sports festival and led the dancesport competition at the Lloyd Park Theatre. In recognition of her lifelong contribution to the LGBTQ+ community, Jackie was awarded the British Empire Medal in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to same-sex ballroom dancing.The exhibition also features original "Pits and Perverts" T-shirts, generously loaned to the Waltham Forest Pride Collective by local resident Jane Connor, an original member of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (Please note that this part of the exhibition was displayed only from 25–27 July at Winns Gallery). Together, these items serve as a powerful reminder to Waltham Forest's place in the national story of LGBTQ+ activism in Britain.We hope this exhibition provides space for reflection and deepens one’s appreciation for the multifaceted communities that make Waltham Forest such a welcoming and diverse borough. Above all, Queer Lives of Waltham Forest celebrates visibility, belonging, and solidarity, while preserving our collective stories for future generations.Finally, we extend our sincere appreciation to every photographer who shared their work and entrusted us with their stories. This exhibition would not have been possible without your generosity, creativity, and openness.Instagram: @wfpridecollective
Webpage: www.wfpridecollective.co.uk
Acknowledgements:
Organised by (A–Z):
Waltham Forest Pride Collective:
Filip Glatz
Jacqueline McManus
Karen Liu
Kei
Konstantinos Panagiotidis
Sherrie SukiPrinting:
Ian Waterman, Chair, The Walthamstow & District Photographic SocietySelection Panel (A–Z)
Claire Mead, Vestry House Museum
Jacqueline McManus
Leonidas Liolios, The Boy is Beautiful
Peter Flynn and Jessica Draper, Soho Theatre Walthamstow
Waltham Forest Pride CollectiveSpecial Thanks (A–Z):
Cathy Lynch and Philippine Nguyen, Culture Team, London Borough of Waltham Forest
Esme Irani, Walthamstow Trades Hall
Ian Waterman
Jacky and Mary Logan
Jane Connor
Jo Whalley
Jonathan O'Dea
Niamh Tuft, Programming Manager, London Borough of Waltham Forest
Peter Flynn and Jessica Draper, Soho Theatre Walthamstow
Pixie Presents
Stacey McNelis, Waltham Forest Libraries
Call for Participants for Photography Exhibition – Waltham Forest Pride 2026
We’re inviting people from across Waltham Forest to take part in a community photography project celebrating local LGBTQ+ lives.The project forms part of Waltham Forest Pride 2026 and will culminate in a public exhibition across different venues in Waltham Forest.We are looking for recent photographs that capture everyday queer life across the borough.
What We’re Looking For
We’re interested in:
- Real, current photographs (taken in 2025–2026)
- Everyday moments, identities, relationships, and communities
- Images that feel personal, honest, and authenticThis could include:
- Photographs of individuals, couples, families, or chosen families and support networks
- People in their homes, workplaces, neighbourhoods, or local spaces
- Moments of connection, creativity, celebration, or daily life
What to Submit
- 1–3 photographs (PDF Print preferred or high-quality PNG/JPEG, at least 300 DPI files, phone photos are absolutely fine)
- A title for each work
- Add 3 mm bleed on each side
- Sizes should be: A4 with bleed 216 × 303 mm or A3 with bleed 303 × 426 mm or A2 with bleed 426 × 600 mm
How to Submit
Please email your submission to: [email protected]Please include:
- Your name (or how you would like to be credited)
- Contact details
- Confirmation that everyone pictured has given permission for the images to be exhibited
Who Can Take Part?
- LGBTQ+ people who live, work, study, volunteer, or otherwise have a connection to Waltham Forest
- Allies collaborating with LGBTQ+ participants
- No professional experience is needed
Selection & Exhibition
Selected works will be exhibited across various venues in Waltham Forest as part of Waltham Forest Pride 2026. Entries will be selected by a professional photographer, curator, and the exhibition organisers.We aim to reflect a wide range of voices, identities, cultures, and experiences from across the borough.
Key Dates
Submission deadline: 30 June 2026Exhibition: July/August 2026
Tone
This project is about visibility, honesty, and community. You do not need to be a professional photographer to take part, what matters most is that the work feels genuine and meaningful.
