Q-Lit: Queer Victorian Festival of Words
event
posted on 2023-10-16, 03:09 authored by Kate HallQ-Lit: Queer Victorian Festival of Words
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Location
Regional Victoria. Sebastopol Library, Shepparton Library, Traralgon Library, Fitzroy (Victoria's Pride/Midsumma) Geelong Regional Library and Heritage Centre, Warrnambool Library. Piano Bar, Ballarat, The F Project, Warrnambool.Start date
2023-01-13End date
2023-04-17Language
engNotes
LGBTQIA+ peoples are some of the most disadvantaged and oppressed groups in so-called Australia. In a time where our trans and non-binary community members face threats of violence and a constant barrage of hate from conservative and far-right forces, it is imperative that those of us who care deeply about human rights use our words as tools to educate and counter the forces of oppression. Queer folks have a long history of using coded language to communicate, help and heal in times of immediate danger. Queer writers have more visibility now, and their language and stories have the potential to reach non-LGBTQIA+ readers, policy-makers and broader society. But unless queer writers are offered support, they will continue to battle structural inequities. Q-Lit aims to provide support in the form of increased visibility and the development of a stronger queer literary community.Research statement
Background Q-Lit is Victoria's first regional queer writers’ festival. I am the creator, co-founder and director of the festival, and my role includes programming, partnerships, coordination, grant writing and community consultation. Q-Lit supports LGBTQIA+ creatives who are often disproportionately affected by intersectional forms of marginalisation. We believe that storytelling can help to overcome barriers, grow community and fight homophobia and transphobia through increased visibility. Our vision is to continue to build a state-wide web of connection for LGBTQIA+ writers at all stages of their careers, and to amplify the voices of queer writers across Victoria. Contribution Q-Lit is fiercely dedicated to the celebration and dissemination of queer stories. We unsettle the hierarchies of conventional festivals by programming established authors alongside hobbyists and emerging writers. Our 2023 festival delivered interactive workshops by new writers who worked alongside authors like Leigh Hobbs, Yves Rees, Hayley Singer and Alison Evans. This approach is radical, anti-capitalist (our events are free to attend) and, as such, contributes to new knowledge by creating a new and more inclusive type of writers' festival. As Creative Director, my curatorial role drives this ethos of inclusion, partnerships and nurturing of new writers. Significance Q-Lit 2023 is proudly funded by Midsumma/Victoria's Pride, the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, and through partnerships with regional libraries. In 2024 we will partner with Winda Mara Aboriginal Co-op, produce an anthology funded by Midsumma and tour regionally again in addition to running a week long festival in Naarm. Q-Lit has been featured on 3RRR Smart Arts, the Queer Writes podcast, ABC regional radio, in Kalliope X journal. We are supported by several prominent authors like Christos Tsiolkas and Dmetri Kakmi, and partner with diverse queer groups like the AGMC and Thousand Threads Press. Our festival EOI page has 150 submissions.Publication classification
JC4 Curated Exhibition or Event – OtherScale
NTRO OtherExtent
Website URL: https://www.q-lit.com.au/aboutEditor/Contributor(s)
Ryan T, Hart SEvent
Q-Lit: Queer Victorian Festival of WordsPublisher
Q-Lit: Queer Victorian Festival of WordsPlace of publication
[Geelong, Vic.]Usage metrics
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