Liverpool's long-standing LGBTQIA+ arts and culture festival, Homotopia, is set to make a significant return this November. After a pause last year, the festival promises its 'loudest and boldest' edition yet. The 21st annual event will feature a diverse program across various city venues, with a central theme of 'Uprising' to highlight resistance and defiance within the queer community.
Key Takeaways
- Homotopia Festival returns to Liverpool in November 2025 after a one-year break.
- The 21st edition carries the theme 'Uprising,' symbolizing resistance and defiance.
- Over 70% of the festival's events will be free to attend.
- Key venues include Museum of Liverpool, Unity Theatre, FACT, and St George’s Hall.
- The festival aims to provide a vital platform for queer voices and foster inclusivity.
Homotopia Embraces 'Uprising' Theme
Homotopia, a prominent LGBTQIA+ arts and culture festival in Liverpool, is preparing for its return in November 2025. This year marks the festival's 21st edition. Organizers have chosen 'Uprising' as the core theme, signaling a focus on defiance and collective strength. The theme reflects the festival's commitment to showcasing acts of resistance and solidarity.
The festival aims to be its most impactful to date. It will feature a broad range of events designed to engage and inspire. The decision to take a break in 2024 allowed the organization to strengthen its foundation and plan a more powerful return for 2025.
Festival Background
Homotopia has been a significant cultural event in Liverpool since its inception in 2004. It consistently provides a platform for LGBTQIA+ artists and voices. The festival's return follows a hiatus in 2024, during which the organization focused on artist development and long-term sustainability.
This strategic pause was crucial for creating a more impactful and robust festival experience. The organizers emphasized building a stronger foundation for future events. This ensures Homotopia continues its role in the city's cultural landscape for years to come.
Diverse Venues and Accessible Events
The 2025 Homotopia Festival will take place across several key cultural institutions in Liverpool. These venues include the Museum of Liverpool, Unity Theatre, FACT, and St George’s Hall. This spread ensures a wide reach across the city.
A significant aspect of this year's festival is its accessibility. More than 70% of the events offered will be free to attend. This commitment to free events helps ensure that a wider audience can participate and experience the festival's offerings, promoting inclusivity.
Event Accessibility
- 70%+ of Homotopia 2025 events are free.
- Multiple iconic Liverpool venues will host performances and discussions.
- The festival runs throughout November, offering a month-long celebration.
Launch Party and Key Performances
The festival officially begins with a special launch party on Saturday, November 1st. This event will take place at the Unity Theatre. It is specifically designed to embody the 'Uprising' theme through immersive performances and art.
Artists and muralists will collaborate during the launch. Their work will showcase themes of defiance and solidarity. This opening night aims to set a powerful tone for the entire month-long festival, highlighting the importance of collective action.
Natalie Lloyd, Homotopia festival producer, stated: "It's about finding power in the small and every day and turning it into something unstoppable, about doing it yourself when no one else will and refusing to shrink, refusing to wait for permission and refusing to apologise." This quote underscores the festival's core message of empowerment and resilience.
Featured Events and Highlights
The month-long program includes several notable events. One such highlight is 'Drag Down the Borders' at District in the Baltic Quarter on November 9th. This evening promises queer joy through drag, burlesque, and cabaret. It also serves a crucial fundraising purpose, supporting migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees in Liverpool, Palestine, Sudan, and Congo.
Another significant event is the 'No Pride in Genocide Film Screening,' also at District, on November 10th. This free event will feature short films by filmmakers who chose not to show their work at an Israeli government-sponsored LGBTQ Film Festival. The screenings explore important themes such as identity, displacement, violence, and survival, providing a platform for diverse perspectives.
Community Impact
Homotopia has consistently used art to address social and political issues. The 'Drag Down the Borders' event, for example, directly links artistic expression with humanitarian aid. This demonstrates the festival's commitment to broader social justice beyond its immediate artistic scope.
The 'No Pride in Genocide Film Screening' highlights the festival's role in providing a space for critical dialogue and showcasing works that challenge mainstream narratives. These events reflect Homotopia's dedication to supporting marginalized communities globally.
'Scrambled' Performance at Liverpool Playhouse
On November 13th, the Liverpool Playhouse will host 'Scrambled,' an intimate one-person show. Award-winning performer Grace Tompkins leads this debut performance. The show delves into Grace's personal experiences with online radicalization. It draws on years of her community work.
'Scrambled' first appeared as part of the Anti-Fascist Cabaret at Homotopia 2023. Since then, it has evolved into a performance that is both joyful and unsettling. It addresses the serious issue of online extremism through a unique artistic lens.
A Local and Proudly Scouse Festival
Homotopia has been a celebrated fixture in Liverpool's cultural calendar since 2004. Its return is highly anticipated by locals. The festival's transformed focus emphasizes local voices and the city's unique queer spirit. Natalie Lloyd, the festival producer, highlights this shift.
"This year the festival is hyper local and proudly Scouse," Natalie Lloyd confirmed. This statement reflects a strong commitment to Liverpool's community and its distinct identity.
The festival serves as a vital platform for queer voices. It encourages inclusivity, open discussions, and increased visibility through various art forms. From performances to protests, Homotopia creates spaces for expression and engagement.
Homotopia holds a unique and important position within Liverpool's community. Its comeback is more than just a series of events. It represents a powerful celebration of queer joy, resistance, and the ongoing 'Uprising' of the community. The full program and ticket information are available on the official Homotopia website.