Queer up North is one of the prominent lesbian and gay festivals in Europe. Manchester, one of the vibrant and cosmopolitan cities of Europe supports a large lesbian and gay community. Queer up North is an annual cultural festival held every year during spring. The unique festival celebrates gay and lesbian art and culture. It is the only organization of its kind in the whole of UK to gain local as well as national and international reputation.
In the year 2008, Queer up North festival in Manchester is passing through some bad times. The funding of the Queer up North Festival was generally done by the Arts Council England. Their decision not to fund the 2008 Queer up North Festival at Manchester has shocked everyone. The management and the organizers of the festival planned to launch a nationwide appeal compelling the Arts council to reconsider their decision. The Arts Council has made a U-turn and has agreed to finance the festival at least for this year.
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Queer up North is the only festival of Manchester which explores gay and lesbian culture, which no other mainstream festival does. It has become a significant event in the cultural calendar of Manchester.
Besides, the organizers are also involved in various social projects. It is working seriously in addressing the problem of homophobic bullying in various schools.
Queer up North Festival in 2008 will be the most ambitious project ever. The programs of Queer up North 2008 are likely to feature the premiere of the work of famous US choreographer Stephen Petronia with the Anthony and the Johnsons. For the first time Neil Bartlet will stage his full length original solo show after 13 years. A music festival especially for the queer will bring together bands from all over UK. This year the organizers will initiate a project, which will try to explore queer life both in India and Pakistan. Debates and discussion covering varied aspects of queer life and culture will be an added attraction. The venues of the Queer up North Festival will include a variety of cultural space across the city of Manchester.
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