Birmingham Literature Festival to share queer stories
Birmingham Literature Festival returns this Autumn with a line-up of literary events exploring a range of topics, themes, and genres. Among the bookish events programmed for 2027 are several that shine a spotlight on LGBTQ+ authors and queer stories.
On the first evening of Birmingham Literature Festival, Thursday 8th October, writer and social historian John Grindrod will be in conversation with Chair of Birmingham LGBT, Dr. Steve Ball, discussing his latest book.
‘Tales of the Suburbs: LGBTQ+ Lives Behind Net Curtains’ will explore “Suburban England: a respectable enclave for the upwardly mobile replete with pebble-dashed walls, tightly cultivated lawns and two-point-four children; a place where heterosexuality is the ‘obviously’ dominant mode. But as social historian John Grindrod demonstrates, the real story of life behind the net curtains has always been one teeming with colour and queer narrative.
“Drawing on extensive archive material and insightful oral history, Tales of the Suburbs colours an entire palette of LGBTQ+ suburban life and culture, centring the stories – along with the challenges and hard-earned joys – of those who have lived and loved in these curious, sometimes closeted, spaces.”
On the evening of Friday 9th October, the festival will host an event with Wolverhampton-born journalist and writer, Sathnam Sanghera, in conversation with journalist and broadcaster, Pete Paphides, to discuss his new book, ‘Tonight the Music Seems So Loud: the meaning of George Michael’; exploring the gay musician and icon of the 80s.
“In his expansive and joyful new book Tonight the Music Seems So Loud, bestselling journalist and broadcaster Sathnam Sanghera returns to the Birmingham Literature Festival to guide us beyond the unmistakable beat of the 80’s dancefloor into the life and times of this most bold and beloved artist.”
Jack Parlett was also due to join the festival on Saturday 10th October for ‘Flamboyance: The Art of Burning Brightly’, in conversation with Birmingham-based writer and journalist, Philip Ellis (We Could be Heroes). However, due to circumstances beyond the control of Birmingham Literature Festival, this event has since been cancelled, and ticket holders will receive full refunds.
Finally, on Sunday 11th October, as part of Verve’s Birmingham Literature Festival programming, patron Joelle Taylor will be presenting an extended solo performance of poetry from her collection ‘Maryville’
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