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LGBTQ lit blitz

NAKED HEART – THE LGBTQ FESTIVAL OF WORDS at various venues, Friday to Sunday (October 16 to 18). Single events free $15, festival pass $47. nakedheart.ca


At last, a literary festival devoted to queer writers. As a former curator of Proud Voices during Pride and a fan of Glad Day Books’ programming for the current incarnation, I’ve been craving a larger, multi-day event that features more than readings and gives the queer community a chance to talk about the power of words.

Naked Heart delivers. From October 16 to 18, at over 40 panels, readings and workshops at various venues – including the bookstore, Buddies in Bad Times and other places near the queer village – nearly 100 writers cover a whack of creative topics.

The fest’s mandate is to build bridges, support under-represented identities and use stories as a catalyst to resist oppression, explore desire and heal trauma for anyone whose gender or sexual identity doesn’t fit within society’s narrow limits and expectations.

When so many events are attached to a festival, it’s almost impossible to identify the highlights. I mention the following just to underline how diverse this fest is.

A teaser event on Thursday (October 15) features the launch of Nia King’s groundbreaking book Queer And Trans Artists Of Colour, and then the festival over during the weekend.

The Queer Love panel on Friday (October 16) asks whether there is a queer way to write about love. Another gathering on the same day assesses the risks and challenges of writing about sex. On Saturday (October 17) the Howling Against Assimilation panel cautions against LGBTQ people trying to conform.

On Sunday (October 18), writers explore their characters’ spiritual commitment at the Hail Yeah Mary panel. I’ll be a panelist at the Building Intergenerational Bridges event, which explores how to support LGBT youth and honour our elders.

Workshops also offer tips on how to write, pitch and get published. And – big surprise – people will be partying, too.

Among the presenters: Shyam Selvadurai, Farzana Doctor, Tamai Kobayashi, Amber Dawn, Wayson Choy, Zoe Whittall, Vivek Shraya. 

But really, almost every queer writer with a pulse will be there.

susanc@nowtoronto.com | @susangcole

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