This year’s festival, themed Gods & Monsters, marks 20 years of Homotopia. From 11 November until 2 December 2023, visitors can expect a range of cutting edge entertainment – from visual arts to theatre, live music and performances, with a focus on queer history and heritage.
For 2023, Homotopia is asking visitors to consider how to “foster a sense of community and mutual care in the face of an increasingly intolerant society – and how to build a space of love and respect for those within the LGBTQ+ community who are often most demonised within the mainstream”.
Homotopia Festival 2023 Programme Highlights
Clash of the Titans: Homotopia Opening Party
Saturday 11 November – Content, Cain’s Brewery Village
Forget everything you think you know about wrestling shows and feast your eyes on FIST CLUB – a London based queer cabaret and pro wrestling night, coming to a ring near you. Bringing a dynamite mash-up of fantastical comedy, sensational drag performers & hard-hitting live wrestling from the most exciting grapplers around – we’re here to prove that wrestling isn’t just drag for straight people, it’s drag FOR EVERYONE!
Exhibition: Bernice Mulenga
Tuesday 14 November to Sunday 17 December – Open Eye Gallery
Bernice Mulenga is a British -Congolese photographer with a distinct aptitude for archiving, documenting and interrogating the world around them. Mulenga’s work centres on their communities- Black queer global and local, Black British, London nightlife- and the experiences within them—most notably in their ongoing photo series #friendsonfilm.
Their work also explores reoccurring themes surrounding identity, sexuality, grief, darkness and family. Their work continues to influence the development of queer aesthetics and documentation of LGBTQIA community.
Young Homotopia: Aladdin Love
Tuesday 14 November – Unity Theatre
Step into a whole new world of enchantment and laughter with Young Homotopia’s dazzling twist on the classic pantomime, Aladdin. Prepare to be spellbound as we take you on a journey through the bustling streets of Agrabah, where love knows no boundaries and the power of self-acceptance reigns supreme.
Liv Wynter: How To Catch A Pig
Tuesday 14 November – District
How To Catch A Pig, is a sell out night created by artist and activist Liv Wynter as a celebration of creatives who also organise against the state, with a focus on queer and trans performers. Their band press.release are residents, alongside resident artists Toby and Aidy Evans Jesra, and DJ’s Sad Queers Club and Basura.
Really Fabulous Family Cabaret
Saturday 18 November – St Helens Library
For this specially curated event for Wonder Arts, St Helens Libraries and Homotopia we get interactive. A group of marvellous highly skilled performers bring you a rip-roaring ride of fabulousness. Song, dance, and specialty acts share the stage to bring you a joyous fest of a show.
Ally Activation Workshop
Sunday 19 November – Granby Winter Gardens
In this workshop, we will explore how to stand up as better allies for our trans siblings, particularly in a time when trans identities and trans lives are often under attack in the public sphere. We’ll explore the basics concepts relating to gender identity, reflect on where we hold power to create change and how we can come together as a community to champion trans rights and ensure all members of our community feel safe and supported to be their true selves.
EAT ME Weekender: Cave
Friday 24 and Saturday 25 November – Williamson Tunnels
EAT ME presents CAVE: a two-day occupation of the Williamson Tunnels where participants and audiences will “create, play, rest and party” through an innovative programme of workshops, installations, discussion groups, cabaret and club nights.
Documentary Film Night: Tops
Tuesday 28 November – FACT 6.30 pm
Self-proclaimed future award winning documentary filmmaker Amy Pennington presents their landmark documentary series TOPS. On the question that defines trans masc experience in the UK today…
“What TOP did you wanna wear after TOP surgery?”
Quiz with the Queers
Thursday 30 November – Sefton Park Palm House
Join the queer pub quiz by Liverpool duo, German drag king Franz Genau and Dan Chan as they test your knowledge of myths and legends. Guests are encouraged to dress up as monsters or gods for extra points to win the prize.