Explore the Glasgay legacy

THE city gears up to celebrate LGBT culture this month with the return of the annual Glasgay! festival.
Writer Jackie Kay takes her work to the Tron for Glasgay! 2013. Picture by Mary McCartney.Writer Jackie Kay takes her work to the Tron for Glasgay! 2013. Picture by Mary McCartney.
Writer Jackie Kay takes her work to the Tron for Glasgay! 2013. Picture by Mary McCartney.

The gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community (and culture vultures of all persuasions) are out in force throughout Ocotober and beyond, with the fest running until November 9.

A staple in the city’s cultural scene, Glasgay! came out shouting in 1993, with appearances by the likes of sir Ian McKellen.

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Since then, there’s been work by Alan Bennett, Louise Welsh and Zoe Strachan, a major Tennessee Williams strand and a touching tribute to the late Scottish poet Edwin Morgan, courtesy of Liz Lochhead.

It’s fitting to remember them all, as the 20th anniversary theme is Legacy — namely, the contributions LGBT artists have made to Glasgay! over the years.

Central to the theatre strand is Scottish writer and patron Jackie Kay, who has updated her Maw Broon Monologues (first staged in 2009) for a run at the Tron.

Over at The Arches, writer Stef Smith explores so-called homosexual remedies in all-female piece Cured.

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There’s plenty of lighthearted fun too; The Wizard of Oz showing with live accompaniment from the Royal Scottish National Opera, London boy and enfant terrible Scottee (who threatens to leave audiences elated, confused and covered in glitter) and more in the way of film, comedy, club nights, visual art and talks.

Whether gay or straight, serious theatre or full-pelt singalong, there’s something in the Glasgay! festival programme just waiting to be discovered at www.glasgay.com.