Brighton is once again set to host The Coast is Queer, the UK’s most dynamic LGBTQ+ literary festival. Taking place from October 15-18 at the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts (ACCA) on the University of Sussex campus, this year’s festival promises to be the largest yet. Presented by New Writing South in collaboration with Marlborough Productions, the event will showcase an impressive array of authors, poets, and performers, all celebrating queer lives and stories.

Liam Offord, a literary producer at New Writing South and one of the festival’s organisers, expresses his excitement about the festival’s growth. He notes that The Coast is Queer has become a significant fixture in both the literary and queer calendars since its inception in 2019. Despite challenges like the pandemic, which necessitated an online festival in 2021, the event has flourished, finding a permanent home at the ACCA in 2022.

The festival is unique in its inter-generational approach, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Offord highlights the festival’s dynamic nature, with multiple events happening simultaneously, sparking engaging conversations among attendees.

This year, the festival will feature approximately 120 writers and 45 events, attracting over a thousand visitors eager to explore queer literature. The event’s thoughtful programming fosters broader discussions beyond queer writing, drawing diverse audiences and establishing queerness as a mainstream narrative.

Brighton residents and visitors alike can look forward to a vibrant celebration of queer culture, with the festival offering a plethora of events and activities. Whether you’re a local or new to the area, Sawyer & Co is here to help you find your perfect home in this lively city.

Image: Unsplash