News / comics
UK’s only queer comic festival coming to Bristol
An event that bills itself as the “UK’s only LGBTQ+ comic festival” is coming to Bristol.
Pride Comic Art Festival (PrideCAF) is set to reveal the “rich and vibrant” underground gay comic scene by showcasing queer-created comics.
Returning for its second iteration, September 3 will see the Station on Silver Street transformed to host comic-creators, writers, artists and speakers.
is needed now More than ever
Co-founders Chris Lock and Nathan J Adam explained that one of the main intentions of the festival is to offer a space that welcomes everybody – including trans, non-binary and non-white members of the community.
They said comics featuring LGBTQ+ themes have often been hidden from comic strips due to censorship – but this event aims to push them to the forefront.
My next comic convention appearance is @PrideCaf on 3rd September in Bristol! I’ve never done this one before but only heard good things so I’m excited 🙂 It’s also free to attend! Info here: https://t.co/B5rlyrdzC7 pic.twitter.com/iu6eKBqn41
— Rachael Smith (@rachael_) August 16, 2022
The new event is a successor to its inaugural festival where hundreds of people attended in an explosion of art, comics and queerness.
“We wanted to something else that was more art-based and definitely very queer and supporting that community – so we banded around the idea of doing a comic book festival,” Chris told Bristol24/7.
The 47-year-old continued: “Last year, we were so overwhelmed with the response that we got from the people believing in what we were trying to do.
“At the heart, we want a platform that queer people can come to not just to peruse books, but actually also to sell them in a safe and non-judgmental environment.”
2021 saw the inaugural PrideCAF where over 30 creators came together – photo: Nicky Ebbage
This year the festival has evolved from being a small business to have charitable status as a way to safeguard the LGBTQ+ community.
Chris added: “Now we are a not-for-profit business which just gives it a bit more accountability. We want to help charities like Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and UK-wide charities too, because we really want to try and help as much as we can.
“We’re not in it for the money – and it won’t ever turn into a money thing.”
Exhibitors include Abi Watson, Beatrice Mossman, CDP Neal-Knight and Darkboy & Adler.
There will also be talks throughout the day from guests, with topics from writing and producing comics and art therapy to queer romance anthologies.
Pride Comic Art Festival is free to attend and runs from 11 until 5. For more information, visit: www.pridecaf.co.uk/
Main photo: Betty Woolerton
Read more: Meet the trans musician shattering gender stereotypes
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
