Date: 16 December 2025
London Met’s LGBTQ+ Society brought community, joy and colour together for the first-ever Rainbow Ball this month.
Organised by BA Digital Media student and the Society’s President, Jhoan Sebastián Dávila, alongside a dedicated committee and volunteer team, the event welcomed London Met students, staff and external guests for an evening of celebration, performance and connection at the Victoria Tavern pub, close to London Met’s Holloway campus.
The Rainbow Ball marked an important milestone for the Society; transforming the Victoria Tavern into a vibrant and welcoming space where LGBTQ+ students and allies could come together safely and authentically, laying the groundwork to become a lasting celebration for the queer community and allies at London Met.
The evening featured live music, dancing and a runway walk, but one of the highlights of the night was a performance by Taya Mwah, drag persona of London Met student Luke, who captivated the audience with powerful vocals, humour and theatrical flair. Reflecting on the experience, Taya Mwah said: “Headlining the ball was incredible. I got to face a crowd of queer people and allies from my own university, which made my heart so full. It’s amazing to see the community being built here, and I can’t wait for it to flourish even more.”
Throughout the evening, students embraced the opportunity to dress creatively, support performers and take part in the runway walk, which invited anyone who wished to, to step into the spotlight. The night also celebrated individual contributions through a series of awards, including ‘Performance of the Night’, ‘Best Dressed’ and the ‘Rainbow Ball Spirit Award’ recognising creativity, confidence and community impact.
Student Toscane, said: “The Rainbow Ball created a safe place where we could perform, party, celebrate queerness and enjoy the night all together, and it is an honour to be part of this big family that we are.”
The event was also supported by the Students’ Union and the Rainbow Room Staff Network, strengthening connections between students and staff and reinforcing London Met’s commitment to inclusion, wellbeing and belonging.
Reflecting on the success of the evening, Jhoan said: “The Rainbow Ball is about creating spaces led by our community, for our community. I hope it marks the beginning of something permanent, celebrating queer joy during the winter months, not just during Pride Month. We face continued struggles, and our community deserves to be celebrated all year round”.
Photo by lockstonearts