Queer and Allies Art Festival (QAAF) is a one-of-a-kind festival that celebrates the LGBTQI+ and other non-conforming gender identities and sexualities. It has made its way from Bengaluru and Pune to Chennai and is set to create conversations and give a platform for creativity. When the Bengaluru-based NGO MIST came up with the idea last year, their main aim was to bring out the light-hearted and positive side of the LGBT community, as opposed to the dark and grim issues usually portrayed. This year, there will not only be discussions, but also an art exhibition, a movie screening, cultural performances and an open mic night to boot!
Speaking about the festival, Shyam Konnur, the founder of QAAF says, “It’s a celebration that these communities deserve. It offers a rare opportunity for queer and straight artists and their allies to come together under one roof to engage with inter-sectional queer issues. To make the event bigger, we have chosen Chennai this time and the choice was very easy as this city is always active in talking about LGBT issues and is known for its forward thinking. The response is already amazing and apart from our artists, performers and craftsmen, many people from Chennai will also be exhibiting various skills here. Interesting movies, like Walking the Walk and Bhram will be screened. Both are precise and hard hitting.”
Jacob Hustedt, a performer and the host at the event says, “We have varied cultural performances including belly dancing, singing, and standup comedy. We’ll make sure that there will be non-stop entertainment and I, myself, will be giving a drag performance under the name of Marianne Barbigilio, and I’m sure the crowd will enjoy it. But, the most heartening part is that when we announced it, so many people from Chennai voluntarily agreed to perform! We’re really looking forward to meeting them.”
Dancer Aparna Nagesh, who will also be performing with her group High Kicks, says, “My group and I are always on the look out for interesting events and we support a lot of different causes like Girl Arise and Dark is Beautiful. I personally believe in being non-judgmental and letting people live the way they want to, and I support the LGBTQI movement. If you’re an artist, it’s up to you to use that talent to create awareness. The piece we will be performing is about how a creative person is born, becomes curious, gets boxed in and then fights back.
This, I believe, stands true for not only the LGBTQI community, but also everyone else. We will also be performing a spoken word piece before the performance.”
Sasha Reddy, a city-based social activist and designer says, “It’s a platform for talent and a great start to create more awareness, and to talk around LGBTQI issues. It’s also brilliant since next month is Pride Month and this festival comes as the perfect beginning. I’ll definitely be part of the audience this year.” (QAAF will be held at Spaces Besi, Besant Nagar on May 8 from 12 pm to 9 pm)
