Meet the five projects competing for Southampton’s LGBTQIA+ Pitch Your Project bursary
Posted: 19/08/2026
Five community-focused projects have been shortlisted for the latest round of Pitch Your Project bursary scheme, with the public invited to hear their ideas and vote for the project they would like to see receive £2,000 in funding.
This special round of the bursary scheme has been launched to celebrate 10 years of Southampton Pride and is specifically open to initiatives led by LGBTQIA+ people.
The successful project will receive £2,000 to help launch a new initiative or contribute to the ongoing work of an existing project, as well as the opportunity to present their work through an exhibition at God’s House Tower.
The five shortlisted projects are:
Celebrating Our City: A New LGBTQIA+ Pride Flag for Southampton
Led by Joy McKay, this project will bring Southampton’s LGBTQIA+ communities together to co-create a new Pride flag through a series of workshops, culminating in its unveiling alongside a multimedia exhibition at God’s House Tower.
Gathering in Celebration: Sharing Songs of Hope for the Next 10 Years of Southampton Pride
Led by Kuch Bhogal, this project will bring together stories from Southampton Pride’s first decade and transform them into songs, writing and visual work, resulting in a performance and exhibition celebrating the community’s history and hopes for the future.
The Oracle of Gender Designation
Led by Jez Franck, the Oracle of Gender Designation is an interactive installation that playfully explores the complexity, joy and absurdity of gender through games, ritual, performance and participation. The project will focus on accessibility and invite local LGBTQIA+ communities to help shape and create the work.
Transcribe: Everybody Transitions
Led by Ri Baroche & Beyond Reflections, Transcribe will commission eight writers and a trans+ artist to create new work exploring the theme “Everybody Transitions”, with the aim of increasing empathy and challenging misconceptions about trans+ experiences.
Queer Southampton: Then and Now
Led by Carabiner Club Southampton and THEIR Initiative, this project will explore Southampton’s trans+ and queer histories through workshops, oral histories and community archiving, culminating in monthly workshops and an exhibition at God’s House Tower.
Read more about the five shortlisted projects
Members of the public can hear each project pitch before casting their vote at a special event at God’s House Tower on Friday 28 August, from 6pm – 8:30pm. Click here to book your free ticket
The event is free to attend and offers an opportunity to discover more about the projects, hear how they could contribute to Southampton’s LGBTQIA+ community, and help decide which idea receives the bursary.