New exhibition celebrates Coventry's LGBTQ+ community

A new exhibition, ‘Queer Without Fear: Pride in Who We Are’, which has opened at The Yard, Coventry, celebrates the city’s LGBTQ+ community and history. Presented by Coventry Pride and Unity in Coventry, the collection held at the queer venue documents and showcases the queer community's joy and power through photographs, taken at LGBTQ+ events including Coventry Pride itself, and Coventry Trans Pride.

Photos by I Am Royal Art on display at The Yard

The artist behind the exhibition is Gerald, better known as I Am Royal Art; a Royal Leamington Spa-born resident photographer for Coventry Pride, and one of the charity's trustees.  

Talking about the exhibition, I Am Royal Art said: "Every photograph is a protest, every face a testament to survival and joy".

Adding: “Queer Without Fear: Pride in Who we Are is a photographic snapshot of queer life through Pride, people, protest, and performance. This series documents moments from Trans Pride Solidarity, Coventry Pride, and the queer punk scene capturing a defiant spirit that thrives in both celebration and resistance.

“From glitter and protest signs to DIY trans gigs and street parades, these images reflect the power of queer visibility and the freedom found in taking up space without apology. This is queerness as community, as protest, as art and as truth. It's about showing up, standing out, and being seen without fear.”

The exhibition was first opened with a digital display at Coventry university in July and The Yard currently continues to display the physical photos. The photos are on display at The Yard until Friday 12th September and are the perfect way to build momentum before United in Love, which will be held on Saturday 13th September in University Square.