We previously discussed the use of the term “queer” as a term for describing sexual identity, but does this apply to events and scenes, as well as to individuals?

Manchester will once more hold the Queer Up North International Arts Festival this year, celebrating it’s 18^th birthday. A separate event from Gay Pride, Queer Up North is a festival that appeals to those who don’t identify as gay or as lesBian, but as queer.

In a recent article about the festival, it was pointed out that the difference between the gay Pride events and the queer alternative festivals, is that the gay Pride events tend to lean more towards entertainment and partying for some and are less about raising awareness and discussing politics, whereas it's the highlight of the year for others.

In the article, the author writes:

I recently heard that organisers of Manchester Pride asked outspoken poet Gerry Potter (Chloe Poems) to perform at the event, requesting omission of the word “fuck”, because it was not “family friendly”. Two years ago, youth activists were instructed to remove political slogans from their parade placards, because, said the poster police, “we do not want that kind of thing here.”

Don’t get me wrong, I completely understand what the writer’s saying here, and it is unfair to book an act that is known for performing in a particular way, and then ask them to change to suit your event. On the other hand, if we as a community are fighting for rights in adoption and marriage, and therefore the events that run throughout the day cater to families, then it is not entirely unreasonable for them to wish for a “family friendly” environment at their event.

However, organisers could simply put the performers that they feel are not “family friendly” on at a later time-slot, instead of asking them to alter their style. If they want to have those specific performers, they should make their event fit them.

So with this in mind, Queer Up North is a no-holds-barred event where the performers don’t have to alter their performance. Awesome! So, the Festival is the alternative celebration that showcases everything from films like Road Movie and comedians like Amy Lamé, to music by Meow Meow and just all kinds of all-round awesomeness!

The awesomeness lasts from 18^th – 31^st May 2010, with preview acts having already performed to set the taste-buds off for what looks like a varied and performance-packed festival! Some of which are politically driven, but all of which have an unavoidable impact and help raise visibility.

So whether you’re in favour of the gay Pride events that are more marketing and pop, or whether you relate more to the alternative Queer Festivals that are more political and outspoken, Manchester will offer both this year, as it has done for the last 18 years. Doing so will appeal to both cultures, being inclusive of all labels, and supportive of diversity.

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How do you feel about the split between the gay and queer events? Is there an obvious divide in your city?

Related article:
"Travel Queeries Documents Radical Queers across Europe"

Published Date: 05/17/2010
SECTION: Entertainment
SOURCE: eurOut

Category: dynamic, dynamicentertainment, entertainmentevents, eventshuman interst, human interstManchester, Manchesterpride, pridequeer, queerUK, UK