Exciting things are happening all across Liverpool as Homotopia starts in earnest for and one thing you can be sure of, we’ve a whole month a head of entertainment and mind-expanding experience!

I’ve got my tickets and told everyone that if they want to see me during this next couple of weeks, it’ll have to be at the Unity, CUC, FACT, The Gallery on Stanhope Street, The Adelphi, Kazimier, the Walker and Museum of Liverpool, Leaf or my Mum’s sofa for some respite, because for once my diary is FULL! If I’ve missed a venue out I apologise – there’s so many of you!

By that very list you can see something extremely important – Queer culture taking over the city. Not only does Homotopia grow every year in its artistic grandeur, it grows geographically too and this is vital – from our Queer homes in the Stanley Street Quarter and gay old Bold Street, we need to reach out across our city and turn it pink and lavender at every opportunity.

There’s a feast of visual art running from 1st November: Project Triangle present Berlin-Yogyakarta – work exploring the Nazi persecution of non- heterosexual people put together as part of their exchange with KPH in Warsaw. This on-going work between two groups of young LGBT never fails to be moving in the extreme. Get down to the CUC to catch this.

Locally based artists Andy Green, Dawn Brayford and Ben Youdan all have work showing too. Andy’s photographic exhibition Totally Frocked up is also at the CUC – get down there and spend the day – it’s a wonderful venue and always supports LGBT events to the hilt – if you were at the SEEN Awards you’ll how what a lovely place it is.

Andy Green is known throughout the Scene as a writer and it’s great to see his “other side” on show with this new work. Dawn and Ben have a piece each on show in the FACT Bar – both powerful works that contrast with each other to startling effect. Make sure you look them up when you’re in for any of the Homotopia film programme.

Tonight. I’m off to see Kimberley Dark’s show Dykeotomy at the Unity – I have no idea what to expect but that’s what Homotopia is all about – the unexpected adventure, a touch of danger and joy combined. I’ll be back on here tomorrow to tell you what happened and what other wonderful things are coming our way!
Love, Joan