Graham Nolan is the co-founder of Hay Pride, Hay-on-Wye's first Pride event organiser and local Community Interest Company. “We hope you enjoy these sessions and recognise the great queer representation at the Festival this year,” Graham said. “Hay Pride is honoured to be a community partner at this year's Festival. Come say hi if you see us at any of the events.” Here are his top LGBTQ+ picks in a Queer Guide to Hay Festival 2023...
Rebecca N Mitchell - Indolent Luxuriousness: Oscar Wilde's Queer Laziness
Drawing on over a decade of archival research, Rebecca N Mitchell, professor of Victorian literature and culture at the University of Birmingham, shows that the effortless wit and writing of Wilde – often chided by detractors for being indolent and egotistical – was actually the product of studious and carefully concealed labour.
Saturday 27 May 2023, 11.30am
Alice Winn talks to Claire Fuller - Debut Discoveries: In Memoriam
Alice Winn’s debut novel is the story of a forbidden romance set against the backdrop of the First World War. In Memoriam tells the tale of Henry Gaunt, infatuated with his best friend Sidney Ellwood but unaware that Ellwood feels the same. Trying to escape his feelings by enlisting in the British Army, Gaunt is soon joined by Ellwood, and the pair find solace in fleeting moments, knowing that death could come for them as it has their friends and fellow soldiers.
Saturday 27 May 2023, 4pm
Russell Tovey and Robert Diament - Talk Art: The Interviews
Exploring the inspirations, art experiences and favourite artists of a fascinating range of creative people from Grayson Perry to Elton John, Tracey Emin to Paul Smith, this is a down-to-earth discussion about art, accessible to everyone between actor Russell Tovey and Carl Freedman Gallery director Robert Diament.
Monday 29 May 2023, 7pm
Tom Allen - Completely
The comedian, writer and actor known for his sharp suits, acerbic wit and riotous storytelling has finally moved out of his parents’ house, meaning he has lots of life updates to give, from getting audience opinions on his vegetable patch and delving into the protocol of inviting friends with children for dinner.
Wednesday 31 May 2023, 8.30pm
Alice Oseman - Heartstopper
Don’t stand us up for this very special in conversation event with Alice Oseman, creator of global smash-hit coming-of-age romance Heartstopper, now a critically acclaimed major Netflix series. Hear her talk about the incredible journey so far and maybe even get a special sneak peek at what’s to come in Heartstopper volume five…
Saturday 3 June 2023, 4pm
Douglas Stuart in conversation with Dua Lipa - Dua Lipa: At Your Service
Fresh from her Future Nostalgia world tour, Dua joins us at Hay Festival for an exclusive recording of her podcast featuring author Douglas Stuart, for a deep dive into his Booker Prize winning Shuggie Bain.
Saturday 3 June 2023, 5.30pm
Liv Little talks to Travis Alabanza - Debut Discoveries: Rosewater
Liv Little, the founder and former CEO of the award-winning publication gal-dem, talks to writer, performer and theatre maker Travis Alabanza about her gritty and strikingly bold novel.
Saturday 3 June 2023, 5.30pm
Munroe Bergdorf talks to Liv Little - Transitional: In One Way or Another, We All Transition
We all, regardless of who we are, transition at some point, developing as people. In activist and model Munroe Bergdorf’s Transitional, she shares reflections from her own life to illustrate how transitioning is an essential part of all of our lives.
Saturday 3 June 2023, 8.30pm
Travis Alabanza, Cheddar Gorgeous and Graham Nolan - Books for Queers: The Stories That Shape us
It’s part of our fabric to want to find stories where we identify with the characters and can imagine what it would feel like to be them. Graham Nolan from Hay Pride hosts this discussion, inviting our LGBTQ+ panellists to identify the stories that helped to shape them, asking them about their favourites and sharing the excitement of finding ourselves through our choice of reading matter.
Sunday 4 June 2023, 2.30pm
Dr Cheddar Gorgeous - Sailor Alien Cowboy
Alien deity, drag queen, academic and idealist – Cheddar Gorgeous is the entertaining, hilarious and breathtaking star of Channel 4’s Drag SOS and BBC’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. In this live show they return to the boards, bringing their performative take on masculinity with a full artistic vision.
Sunday 4 June 2023, 8.30pm
Explore our full programme here or call Box Office on 01497 822 629