To celebrate Pride month this June, Canary Wharf Group, in partnership with Brookfield, are hosting a series of talks exploring the importance of queer spaces and the significance of allyship within them.
The talks will take place in Crossrail Place Roof Garden’s leafy amphitheatre and will see a variety of LGBTQ+ individuals take to the mic, each representing a diversity of experiences across the corporate, creative and political landscape.
While at the Crossrail Place Roof Garden visitors will be able to print free poems from the Short Story Station, or choose to explore the other Short Story Stations across the Estate in Canada Place and Jubilee Place. The six poems, written by queer artist Adam Nathaniel Furman will explore the context of their highly anticipated new artwork Click Your Heels Together Three Times, set to be unveiled as a permanent piece on the Wharf at the end of June. The piece will join existing work by queer artist Lothar Götz, whose permanent, colourful mural was installed for Pride month 2022 and can be found at Crossrail Place.
Canary Wharf Group have reignited their partnership with LGBTQ+ youth homelessness charity akt to help provide safer homes and better futures for LGBTQ+ young people aged 16-25 in the UK.
The talks:
Thurs 1 June, 1pm
Matt Lindley
Crossrail Place Roof Garden
Matt Lindley is a serving airline pilot and former RAF pilot who applies his experiences in leadership, accountability, and culture to the business world. He is a born speaker – his style is effortless and engaging and offers a unique approach to both human error in the workplace, and diversity. Matt was one of the first openly gay pilots in the service; his story is unique and leaves a lasting impression on any audience.
Thurs 8 June, 1pm
Ruth Hunt
Crossrail Place Roof Garden
Ruth Hunt is a crossbench peer and former CEO of Stonewall, Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ organisation. Director of Deeds and Words at the age of 34, Ruth Hunt became one of the youngest CEOs in the country. Along with her partner, Caroline Ellis, she works with individuals, organisations, businesses, social movements, and communities to help create a shared sense of purpose.
Thurs 22 June, 1pm
Charlie Smith
Crossrail Place Roof Garden
Charlie Smith is a queer, non-binary professional working in the built environment as a Chartered RICS Surveyor. With a master’s degree in real estate from the University College of Estate Management, they actively champion inclusive spaces for the queer community. Passionate about LGBTQ+ rights and equality, Charlie participated in the Stonewall Young Campaigners programme in 2019 and most recently shared their perspective on ‘The Evolution of Queer Spaces’ as a guest on the RICS Modus podcast in 2023. As a speaker, Charlie highlights the vital role of queer spaces in fostering a more equitable society. Their work aims to inspire others to prioritise inclusivity in urban development.
Wed 28 June, 1pm
Adam Nathaniel Furman
Crossrail Place Roof Garden
In conversation with the charity akt, Adam Nathaniel Furman will be discussing the importance of queer spaces. Adam is a British artist and designer of Argentine and Japanese heritage, trained in architecture. Their recently published book ‘Queer Spaces: An Atlas of LGBTQIA+ Places and Stories’ explores the ways in which queer people have carved out places and spaces that reflect queer identities, and where they feel safe to be themselves. Adam brings this idea into their own practice, often layering or infusing queer coded artwork into the public realm. Launching in Pride Month, and then forming part of the Canary Wharf permanent art collection, Adam has designed the large-scale installation Click Your Heels Together Three Times which can be found on Adams Plaza from Thursday 29 June.
Pride Month is celebrated each year to honour the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The riots had a huge impact on gay rights around the world and the ongoing celebrations are about acceptance, equality, honouring the work of LGBTQ+ people and raising awareness of issues affecting the community.
