14 Sept 2025
Margherita Coppolino - ‘A journey from shame to PRIDE.’
My Work In Progress continues as I navigate my way through interviewing and photographing people whose paths I cross in everyday life - On 14 September I had the honour of catching up with the indomitable Margherita Coppolino — queer disability advocate, intersectionality trailblazer, artist, and all-round force of nature. Margherita doesn’t just enter a room — she fills it with purpose, warm humour, and presence. A lifelong queer and disability advocate, performer, and passionate intersectional feminist, Margherita’s story and voice leave a lasting imprint.
Photographed as part of my Midsumma Capturing Courage PRIDE series, Margherita spoke to me of her life as one of intentional disruption. Her activism, forged in lived experience and community connection, pulses with clarity.
From spending her first 18 years in an orphanage, to clowning in Moomba parades and kids parties, to spearheading policy reform and co-founding Inclusive Rainbow Voices, her life is a testament to resilience and radical self-acceptance.
In our conversation, she spoke of her personal journey - needing to balance multiple elements of identity; reclaiming her Italian heritage, disability and queerness. “When I stopped clowning, I realised it was time to take the mask off. I needed to own my whole self, for me to become comfortable in my skin I had to come from shame to pride.”
“How many siblings did you grow up with” she asks me at one point, before launching articulately into the many benefits of growing up with 250 other children. Her tenacity is one such example arising from her upbringing. Her deep understanding of others, clearly another.
Margherita’s impact spans decades, creating safer, more inclusive communities for the next generation of queer people with disabilities — and she remains firmly future-focused. Always fighting for systemic change and challenging silos. Uplifting intersectional identities with courage, laughter, and undeniable flair (yes the iconic signature Akubra hat made an appearance!).
"I want to be part of the architecture of decision-making. Not an afterthought."
Throughout our conversation, Margherita challenges mainstream diversity narratives that speak of inclusion without intersectional action. Her words flow with political insight. She reminds that advocacy is not just about big campaigns or speeches — it’s about everyday choices: the accessible paths we build, the language we use, the spaces we invite others into. She doesn’t claim or demand perfection, but she insists on progress. Margherita lives at the intersections and speaks from them boldly.
With ambition to drive change at home, and around the world, her close colleagues and influence already span the globe.
The portraits from our exchange are intentionally candid. Hands always in motion, eyes alive with conviction. They are layered with her stories — pins, patches, and flags. Declarations of resistance.
And behind them all, Margherita’s gaze invites us not just to look — but to SEE.
Photos below - Taken at Victorian Pride Centre, St Kilda Victoria, 14/09/25.
