Homotopia is Coming Out in Liverpool this autumn

Liverpool’s Homotopia Festival is back this autumn with a programme of events both in venues and online.

The UK’s longest running LGBTQIA festival runs from October 28 to November 14.

The theme Coming Out is described as a call to arms for a queer community to tell their own stories and control their own narrative, as well as a show of support for artists and cultural venues after months of lockdown.

This year’s line-up features festival regular David Hoyle, comedians Rosie Jones and Will Jackson, and Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme who bring The Return of The Jinkx & De La Holiday Show, Live! to the Playhouse.

Actor, poet and writer Jade Anouka is announced as special artist-in-residence. During the festival she will take part in a series of events, performances and workshops both in person and online.

Cabaret and drag artist Peter Groom presents his acclaimed Dietrich: Live in Liverpool at St George’s Hall and the Everyman’s street café is the venue of One In, One Out, an interactive installation which promises to be Liverpool’s smallest gay bar.

Pearl Necklace is a six-part Round the Horne-inspired ‘absurdist queer sketch review for the TikTok generation, while ‘drag monstrosity’ Baby Lame presents an evening of midnight movie gore in Final Baby Girl.

There will also be an on-demand series of LGBTQIA film shorts from around the globe, available to watch for the duration of the festival.

And an afternoon Family Vogue Ball will be held at Lush Liverpool.

Above: Artist-in-residence Jade Anouka. Photo: Michael Shelford

Festival director Char Binns says: “After months of fear and isolation, at this year’s Homotopia Festival we aim to showcase queer joy and offer a festival full of fun.

“While we’ll never shy away from the big issues affecting LGBTQIA people and our work always has a social justice message, we want to see LGBTQIA people enjoying themselves and re-connecting as a community while we share a passion for art and culture.

“Sadly, as we’ve started to come out into the world again, Liverpool’s city centre hasn’t been the most welcoming place for our community, with a summer marred by violent hate crimes.

“This year’s festival is a reminder that we’re here, we’re queer and we’re ready to combat any negativity by being even more loud, proud and extra fabulous.”

Homotopia takes place from October 28 to November 14. Full details from the website HERE