Celebrating Queer Leadership: We Create Space LGBTQ+ Awards and Gala
We Create Space is passionate about Queer Leadership, that much is true, but not in the sense of simply instating a Queer CEO, slapping a rainbow on the wall and calling it a day. Rather, Queer Leadership asks us to rethink and challenge the very notion of what a leader is.
The world around us has painted a very narrow picture of what a leader can look like, one that doesn’t recognise that so much of what Queer people go through as a result of coming to terms with their identities sets them up with great leadership qualities. We’re compassionate, self-aware, courageous and innovative. We’ve often had to learn the hard way that to live a fulfilling life we must be authentically ourselves.
Attending the inaugural WCS LGBTQ+ Awards Ceremony at The Social Hub in Barcelona, it is clear that the future face of leadership is considerably more diverse than the one we grew up with. Everywhere you look there are Queer people from all over the world in the throes of conversation, but what makes the space so special is the intentionality that everyone brings to these interactions. There is an energy in the air, not just of celebration and joy, but of a bubbling movement for change.
The event aims to celebrate queer leaders across Spain - LGBTQ+ change-makers who are using their platforms, profile and roles to drive change, making the world a more inclusive place for all LGBTQ+ people. The Queer community is too often overlooked by society at large, our work underappreciated. As right-wing populism and queerphobia continue to rise across the world, the fight for inclusion of LGBTQ+ people can feel like an endless uphill battle, nevermind celebration of our community. Initiatives like the WCS LGBTQ+ Awards provide a space for reflection amongst the noise, a moment to honour the courageous work of those for whom praise often goes unsung.
On the pink carpet, when asked how she feels about receiving a Queer Leader award, artist and activist Jossy Jaycoff remarks, “Recognition is always something we appreciate… it’s not something I’m familiar with.” This is the same Jossy Jaycoff who worked with the Spanish Government’s Ministry of Equality to develop “La Ley Trans Estatal” (the Trans Law), a historic legislative change that brought gender self-identification to Spain and banned conversion therapy.
It begs the question: are we doing enough to celebrate the work of contemporary Queer Leaders? Pride season rolls around each year and we pull out the history books, referring to the same iconic LGBTQ+ historical figures over and over. Their stories are courageous and powerful, but the lives of our contemporaries are no less so. Tomorrow’s history is today’s present, but we don’t need to wait until tomorrow to celebrate those who are paving the way to a brighter future.
Founder and CEO of We Create Space Michael Stephens explains what the organisation hopes to achieve with this initiative: “We want to showcase the value and impact our award winners are having on their communities or workplaces. And for them to understand the difference that their commitment, efforts & passion makes in creating more inclusive spaces and essentially, a more caring society for all.”
This sentiment seems to be well felt by the awardees; on the pink carpet Cindy Nehme, the co-owner of Bērytī restaurant says, “By recognising the work that we do, this gives us more energy, more motivation, to keep pushing forward. It validates what we do.” The work is certainly important. Bērytī has become a safe space for the Queer community in Barcelona, but especially for Queer Arabs in the city who are often navigating complicated relationships with their cultural and Queer identities.
The sheer breadth of nominees, each with their own incredible story and list of contributions to the LGBTQ+ community, is something to behold. Working across everything from sports and entertainment to tech, politics and activism, it’s truly inspiring to have so many people all with a common goal celebrating each other in the same room. There is even a presence from the Shangay Media Group, who are being celebrated for their 30 year contribution to LGBTQ+ journalism.
In her video speech the first woman mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, references the Israeli government’s pinkwashing and ongoing genocide in Palestine. She affirms the importance of Palestinian solidarity, that we cannot ask others to fight for the rights of LGBTQ+ people and not pick up the gauntlet ourselves for the people of Palestine. It is a moment that highlights the shaping force of intersectionality in the work of everyone being celebrating.
Among the evening’s awards were posthumous recognitions to three inspiring trans women who have each impacted Spain’s LGBTQ+ community and culture through their work across art, activism and performance: Mar C. Llop, Roberta Marrero and Silvia Reyes. As transfemicide continues to ravage our communities, it is more important than ever to both recognise the achievements of the trans women we have lost and protect those that are still with us and fight for their rights.
Beyond the awards ceremony, the evening blossoms into an extraordinary showcase of Barcelona’s Queer performing talent. In the auditorium, Sergio del Boccio and the Barcelona Gay Men’s Chorus join forces for a rousing rendition of El Patio by Pablo Lopez. Later in the evening everyone heads to the rooftop and is treated to high energy ballroom energy from dancers Panda Waack and Jayce, followed by an electric performance from Santa Catalina and Sara Brown of cabaret duo IL MONSTRO. Josh Harrison closes the performances with an energetic DJ set that has everyone dancing well into the night.
In the end, it’s anything but just another Pride party - this is a community coming together to hold each other and to recognise those tirelessly fighting for a better world for us all. Perhaps more important than any of the actual awards themselves though is the future connections this event will foster.
At an intimate rooftop dinner before the Gala, the nominees spent time mingling, trading introductions and stories just as many do at We Create Space’s more regular networking events throughout the city. Surrounded by so many inspirational Queer Leaders, the space feels better equipped than any other to answer the question of how we move beyond Queer surviving and facilitate Queer thriving.
It was a truly beautiful evening to also celebrate We Create Space’s 4th birthday and their first Gala & Awards. After its success and the wonderful feedback from Barcelona’s queer community and beyond, it definitely won’t be their last!
