Swimming pool-sized quilt to be carried through London for Trans+ Pride
The quilt's patches capture everything from memorials to humorous insights and family collaborations
A colossal 300-metre long Trans Unity Quilt is set to be showcased in London as part of London Trans+ Pride this weekend.
It's been made, thanks to a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Good Law Project, involving trans individuals and allies from across the UK, and is inspired by the tradition of textile protest art.
More than 300 patches have been made, filled with personal expressions through painting, sewing, and appliquéing efforts, and present a diverse tapestry of trans life, capturing everything from memorials to humorous insights and family collaborations.
The quilt will be marched through the city from Portland Place to Trafalgar Square, carried by over 200 volunteers, before finding a permanent home at the Bishopsgate Archives and be displayed in panels at pride events nationwide.
A 'powerful lesson' in the strength of the trans+ community
CN Lester, co-creative lead of the project, has been catching-up with Hits Radio Pride ahead of the big day, and said: "Creating the Trans Unity Quilt has been a powerful lesson in the breadth, diversity, and strength of the UK trans community (and all of our friends and loved ones!).
"No two patches are the same, but sewn together they form a united message: that even under the weight of oppression we stand together in love, courage, and truth."
CN is going to marching with their mum in the parade - and revealed how the whole experience is going to be a 'wholesome' one, and something which has given everyone a chance to show off their creativity.
They added: "When we're marching, we're going to be showing this absolutely enormous trans flag, but when you look closer at the individual pieces of art, that's when this becomes something else.
"People have used paint, sharpies, spray paint - and of course there's so many sequins everywhere!
"I don't have many skills when it comes to visual art, so I have stuck things on with glue, and used permanent marker, but there are some in the quilt which are full-on portraits.
"Some are political slogans, and some are personal - and it's that combination of the both which is what this quilt is all about."
'Textile art has given power to resistance movements across history'
Mars Callick, also co-creative lead, added: "Textile art has given power to resistance movements across history.
"We’re joining this collective creative tradition, stitching together our experiences as a beautiful, diverse and resilient community, regardless of transphobia or hate."
Cat MacLean, a policy advisor for Good Law Project, reflected: "We've been fighting hard to protect trans people’s basic rights, and wanted to give the community an opportunity to share the parts of their lives that never get portrayed by the press.
The final product is an overwhelming vision of hope and love, displaying joy and resistance despite this intensely difficult time."
You can check out the full quilt on this website.