A Year of Courageous Queer Art, Community and Impact
As the UK’s longest-running Queer arts and culture festival, we have spent more than two decades commissioning, creating and championing courageous LGBTQIA+ art. This year was no different, and we’re proud to share the impact of what we achieved together across our vibrant year-round programme and Homotopia Festival 2025.
Rooted in the Liverpool City Region and reaching beyond borders, our work continues to centre Queer stories, heritage and activism. From supporting artists and young people to collaborating with grass-roots organisations and venues, everything we do is driven by the belief that art transforms lives, and that Queer culture deserves to remain visible, accessible and fiercely celebrated with open arms!
In 2025, 70% of festival events were free and open to everyone, ensuring that Queer art and culture could be experienced by as many people as possible. During the festival, we reached 48,000 creatives online, extending our reach and audience significantly.
Supporting Artists
Over the past year, 100 artists worked with us across commissions, performances, exhibitions and development opportunities. As a Queer-led organisation, we remain committed to embracing artists locally, creating space for bold storytelling, bringing queer stories into the heart of the city, and creative risk-taking that challenges injustice and amplifies untold stories.
Our work with our incredible Young People
Our year-round programme continues to prioritise young people and emerging creatives. This year, we worked with 19 young people across four projects, supporting creative development, confidence and self-expression through Queer-affirming performance opportunities and mentorship.
Building Stronger Communities
Standing with communities is fundamental to Homotopia’s mission. Over the year, we supported four grass-roots organisations, including Asylum Link, Protect Scouse Dolls, Visual AIDS, Liverpool Trans Pride, recognising the vital role they play in caring for communities pushed to the margins. We also collaborated with 25 venues and organisations across Homotopia Festival, reinforcing the collective power of partnership in shaping the future of Queer arts and culture. One big highlight was collaborating with the incredible Sophie Green on a campaign to encourage arts spaces, venues and businesses to display inclusive signage, “Trans Women Welcome”, in their buildings to provide visibility for safe spaces for trans women in the city. Thanks to FACT for helping us distribute them!
2026 and beyond…
Homotopia has always used art as a tool for visibility, resistance and care. As a registered charity and National Portfolio Organisation supported by Arts Council England and Culture Liverpool, we remain committed to creating a future where LGBTQIA+ art and culture are celebrated, beyond borders, and placed at the forefront of meaningful activism.
Thank you to every artist, partner, organisation and audience member who stood with us this year. Together, we continue to build bold, inclusive and unapologetically Queer spaces, and we’ll be iconic whilst we do it…
If you haven’t already, we’d love to hear how your experience of Homotopia Festival 2025, please share your thoughts with us here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=MVElUymxEECG4UdL_X6AdpgT3p37lU1JpFpBD8h0AE1URUpWRUdDQVdRRktLS1pTVEdXVEU2UDdRUC4u&route=shorturl
Be sure to stay connected to us as we announce exciting opportunities in the New Year – we want you beside us!
