Lesbian Visibility Week: Representation 365 with UK Black Pride

Join us at University of the Arts London (UAL) for the second event in our partnership series with UK Black Pride, celebrating and amplifying queer voices across our creative community.

Taking place during Lesbian Visibility Week, this special event centres lesbian voices, lived experience and creative storytelling. Hosted by Josie Peres, Trustee of UK Black Pride, EDI specialist, public speaker and host of the 1946 Culture Shift Tour Podcast, the conversation will explore how storytelling, filmmaking and cultural work shape visibility, belonging and social change.

Josie will be joined by filmmaker Sharon “Rocky” Roggio, an independent director and production designer whose credits include work on House of Cards and Red Dawn. Rocky is also a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and has spoken openly about navigating identity, faith and family after coming out to her conservative religious parents.

Together, Josie and Rocky with other guests will explore the power of storytelling, documentary filmmaking and creative practice to challenge narratives, build empathy and amplify voices that are too often marginalised.

This session continues UAL’s commitment to creating spaces where LGBTQ+ stories, perspectives and creativity are celebrated not just during heritage moments, but all year round.

What to expect

This is not a panel or lecture, but an informal and inclusive conversation designed to encourage reflection and dialogue.

The session will include:

• An in-conversation format between Josie Peres, Rocky Roggio and guests
• Reflections on lesbian visibility and lived experience
• Discussion on filmmaking, documentary storytelling and creative activism
• Exploration of how storytelling can challenge stigma and reshape culture
• Space for audience engagement and discussion

The event is open to students, staff, creatives and community members interested in storytelling, film, equality and LGBTQ+ visibility.

About the organising team

Jason Forrest is a Student Engagement Manager across Camberwell College of Arts, Chelsea College of Arts and Wimbledon College of Arts, and a member of UAL’s Black History Month collective.

UAL’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Team, based within the People and Culture department, leads initiatives that support an inclusive culture for staff and students across the university.

Josie Peres is also a Trustee of UK Black Pride and supports collaborative work that strengthens partnerships between community organisations and higher education.