LGBTQ History Month is upon us and happily, social acceptance looms large on the horizon. We’ve come a long way. 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality and with Birmingham brimming with Queer Culture what a better way to celebrate than with a range of events celebrating sexuality, queer culture & liberation in all it’s multi-faceted glory. For the full programme of events see: www.shoutfestival.co.uk

Stepmother/Stepfather at DanceXchange
Critically acclaimed Stepmother/Stepfather is a gender-bending tale of murder, lust, latex and suicide that’s is both darkly enticing and brutally entertaining. It takes its inspiration from fairytales like Rapunzel and Snow White and the US folk-punk band Violent Femmes’ Country Death Song, based a real life tale of a man convicted of murdering his stepdaughter by throwing her down a well. The nightmarish central characters are pursued by dark forces and the performance dives deep into the darkest pit of human nature. Presented by DanceXchange and created by the wonderfully expressive minds at HeadSpaceDance.
Thu 16 Feb – Fri 17 Feb at DanceXchange. Tickets £5 – £10: www.dancexchange.org.uk

Moonlight at The Electric Cinema
Also showing as part of programme, Moonlight has been heralded as the LGBTQ film of 2015-2016 being nominated for 8 Academy Awards. The tale in three parts follows a young black boy from Chicago as he grows and struggles to cope and accept his own identity through adolescence and adulthood. Moving, beautiful and extraordinary.
Sat 25 Feb at 8pm at the Electric. £6.50 – £9.50 www.shoutfestival.co.uk

Uncle Howard at Ikon
A vibrant window on New York City’s creative culture from the 1970s and ‘80s, this critically acclaimed documentary presented in partnership with Ikon gallery will be introduced by a talk on the AIDS Generation and its representation on screen. Director Howard Brookner was just 35 when he lost his life to AIDS in 1989 and twenty-five years later, his nephew, Aaron, sets out on a quest to find the lost negative of Burroughs: The Movie, his uncle’s critically-acclaimed portrait of legendary author William S. Burroughs.
Fri 24 Feb at 6.30pm. Free.www.shoutfestival.co.uk

Under Your Nose at Birmingham City University’s Curzon Building
Another unmissable free screening, this groundbreaking film documents the struggles endured by the people responsible for opening the first black gay and lesbian centre in the 1980s. Set against a turbulent backdrop of Thatcherism, Section 28 and the anti-Aids movement, this film documents the struggle to set up this safe space. The film is followed by an in-depth discussion with director Veronica McKenzie.
Wed 22 Feb www.shoutfestival.co.uk

The Naked Civil Servant at mac, Birmingham
A rare chance to see this Emmy nominated film spanning the life and times of the flamboyant and inimitable author Quentin Crisp, played by John Hurt.
Sun 26 Feb at mac Birmingham. £6 – £8. www.shoutfestival.co.uk

Stay tuned to Birmingham Wire for other LGBTQ events happening over the month.