On PRIDE: Shona Louise

Representation is everything, it’s a message that I think we are all immensely aware of within the theatre industry. Theatre is powerful and the impact of seeing yourself represented on stage or within a creative team lasts for a very long time.

This Pride Month, as a queer disabled woman I’ve been reflecting on the increased representation and diversity I’ve come to see in the industry over the past few years. Seeing stories that reflect mine on stage makes me feel seen, and seeing other LGBTQ+ and disabled people working backstage on shows gives me renewed motivation to continue pursuing a career as a theatre photographer and accessibility consultant. Representation shows me what is possible.

The most powerful moment that comes to mind for me was seeing Liz Carr perform in The Normal Heart at the National Theatre in 2021. Liz Carr is a proud LGBTQ+ and disabled woman who has played characters who are equally as proud of their identities. I remember first seeing her in Silent Witness on TV, seeing an electric wheelchair user going about their life and succeeding in a career empowered me so much. It’s so rare to see such a positive representation of disability, it showed me what was possible. When I found out that Liz Carr herself was also LGBTQ+, I finally felt seen. I finally felt like I wasn’t the only disabled and queer woman on the planet.

The Normal Heart focused on the rise of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in New York City in the early 80s, and Carr played real life disabled doctor Dr Emma Brookner. She won an Olivier Award for her portrayal and shared in her winning speech that it was the first time in over 35 years that this actually disabled character had been played by a disabled person.

I remember the first time she wheeled on to the stage, it was so powerful to me to see a LGBTQ+ electric wheelchair user performing on the stage of the National Theatre. I’ve seen a lot of queer theatre, and I have seen disabled people perform on stage before, but this was the first time that the two were meeting in the middle for me.

As a queer woman I love immersing myself in the LGBTQ+ community, whether that be in pride events, within theatre or on social media, but as a disabled queer woman, I feel most seen when my disabled identity is included too. Theatre has a big part to play in making that happen, in telling our stories and creating space for us in the industry.

I don’t want to, and shouldn’t have to, leave either of my identities at the door. Liz Carr showed me that I can be my most authentic self in the theatre industry, and I hope that we can do even better for the next generation. Queer disabled people exist and we deserve our moment this Pride Month.