Emma Glass-Riley

JOY!!! That’s what it’s all about!! This weekend with @virtual__q and @vocaldimensionchorus at the joint @sairegion31 and @nordiclightregion convention was incredible and definitely worth the sleep deprivation! Virtual Q had a blast and got great feedback. Vocal Dimension won gold in the mid-size category and came 4th overall with our highest ever score, amazing achievements!! Around those accolades though, the real joy was watching and taking part in the camaraderie across group and international lines. All ages, backgrounds, sexualities, religions, united in the joy of sharing singing. I love this hobby/obsession!! (Thanks to others who took photos as I didn’t take many!! Thanks also to @citytailors_ for making and fitting the fabulous waistcoat and trousers!!)

A rather impromptu and fabulous dinner at @furnarestaurant to finish a very lovely day. Last rehearsal (and a bit of silliness !) before convention with @virtual__q , a bit of work in the avo for both of us, then a quick turnaround into town to see @pearlbates open house exhibition before saying, let’s go out for dinner!

Here I am Lesbianing for @lesbianvisibilityweek ! Truth be told, I am a Lesbian 24/7 of course 😁, and I have not done anything specific for this #LVW. Though I have enjoyed all the posts and cheered as @pickles912 got the recognition she deserves from @divamagazine ‘s Power List. Visibility, however, is also a 24/7 thing. Being quietly your full authentic self, whatever flavour of humanity that may be, is powerful and can change a life. So, I will keep mostly quietly, and sometimes loudly, being a visible Lesbian. Thanks to @diversityriley for founding this recognition and celebration.

Dinner on the beach at low tide and sunset with the Fam

Another day, another Panel #MOD #LGBTFRS #service #duty

A fabulous evening out seeing @waitressontour with @carriehopefletcher in the main role - superb!!

Marching with @nionwomen at the @togetheralliance demonstration today, followed by a matinee of @ohmaryplayuk ! (Madcap!), and a cheeky French 75 cocktail afterwards at the @kittyhawklondon rooftop bar.

Barbershop !!! Ringing in the Spring @avalonquartetuk @limelightquartet and Met44

I’m a Commodore!! When I was thrown out of the @royalnavy this possibility was gone! So, technically I’m not a real Commodore, but I am when it comes to @thebanproduction , the play by Gail Louw about LBGTQ+ armed forces people brutally treated and forced out of the job and life they loved for who they loved or were. Link in bio or copy: /p/the-ban-a-new-play This is such an important story and the play is another way to get the message out about the Financial and non-financial reparations available for LGBTQ+ personnel who suffered under the ban from 1967 to 2000. Please consider supporting this project if you can, everything helps get the project closer to opening night.

Used a charity day from @rxglobal_ Global today to volunteer for @diversityrm at @oxtedschoolofficial . Four excellent assemblies with years 7, 8, 10, and 11. Thank you for the respectful welcome and great questions.

What a day! @damekellyholmes ’ @athenaeffectevents was a triumph of connection, celebration and female empowerment! Privileged to be on the High Stakes Professions panel with Dr Bex Bennett, Clare Sharpe, and Chelsea Walters, all inspiring people. I am also hugely proud to have been presented with one of the first Spotlight Awards for change makers alongside @diversityriley , @charweath , and @dr_naomipotter . So many fabulous panels, conversations and discussions, wow!

This is deeply personal: I want to tell you about The BAN (@thebanproduction ) — a new play written by award winning playwright Gail Louw (@gaillouwwriter ) that brings to life the stories of LGBTQ+ service personnel forced out of the Armed Services simply for who they were. For decades, gay men and women were banned from openly serving in the UK military. They were brutally investigated, discharged, stripped of medals, self-esteem destroyed, and left to rebuild their lives alone after serving their country. Those who did survive without being caught struggled with the mental burden of hiding an inherent part of themselves. Although the ban was finally lifted in 2000, its legacy of trauma echoes in the lives of veterans today. Gail has brought the story to life with dignity, empathy, and power. It draws on real testimonies, mine and Craig Jones, and shows the hardship and courage needed to serve in silence, fight for change and ultimately lift the Ban. Produced by Helena Hipólito Productions and with @fightingwithpride as its Charity Partner, this isn’t just theatre — it’s a tribute to resilience and a call to remember and reconnect with veterans whose stories have been overlooked. A hope is this is a different way to reach veterans who have disconnected from the military or military charities due to their trauma, so that they can be made aware of the reparations now available to them. The production is crowdfunding to raise an initial £10,000 so it can begin rehearsals and ensure everyone involved — actors, creative team, and production staff — is paid fairly. Please consider supporting the production to help stage a three week run and amplify a story that resonates far beyond the stage. 👉 /p/the-ban-a-new-play (link also in bio) Please share this post, even if you don’t feel you can support with funding, so that we can reach more veterans. Thanks for reading and for supporting our production.