London Literature Festival

The London Literature Festival brings together words, stories, ideas and laughter to the city's original festival site. Be inspired, entertained, dream and debate, with a packed programme of events that reflect the dynamism and globalism of the city.

Specially commissioned performances, readings from prize-winning authors, comedy, music, debate and three major book prizes, all take place during an exciting two weeks. The festival which is running between the 5th and 19th July at the South Bank Centre, will offer a number of events with LGBT people, such as:

ANDREW O'HAGAN WITH JENNY DISKI, FERDINAND MOUNT AND COLM TOIBIN
Saturday 5 July
This event examines the concept of the essay as a literary form.

RICHARD SENNETT WITH GRAYSON PERRY, IAN BOSTRIDGE & MARINA WARNER
Saturday 5 July
Richard Sennett joins sculptor Grayson Perry, tenor Ian Bostridge and writer Marina Warner to discuss the value and importance of craftsmanship in the digital age.

DIRTY BOOKS
Saturday 5 July
Writers, readers and performers get down and dirty for a celebration of literary pornography presented by Rupert Smith (alias bestselling porn author James Lear and one of the people behind the House of Homosexual Culture), with Mathilde Madden, Suzanne Portnoy and Elizabeth Coldwell, editor of Forum magazine.

ANDREW SEAN GREER WITH COLM TOIBIN
Sunday 6 July
Andrew Sean Greer visits from San Francisco to read from The Story of a Marriage, an evocative novel set in 1950s America.

CITY LIGHTS
Monday 14 July
A celebration of the urban experience in queer fiction. Join Christopher Fowler, Maureen Duffy, Paul Burston, David Llewllyn, Andrea Stuart, Bertie Marshall and Brian Paddick for a celebration of the urban experience in queer fiction, featuring readings, discussion and a special performance from gay rapper QBoy.

BISHOP GENE ROBINSON & IAN MCKELLEN:
FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO
Monday 14 july
Join Bishop Gene Robinson and Ian McKellen for the UK premiere of For The Bible Tells Me So, a provocative documentary about the chasm that separates gay life and Christianity today. Gene Robinson is the openly gay Bishop of the Episopalian Church in New Hampshire who was ordained wearing a bullet proof-vest.

THE LAVENDER LIBRARY
Tuesday 15 july
Celebrate queer literature with Julian Clary, Dave McAlmont, Andy Bell, Maureen Duffy, Stella Duffy, Paul Burston, Rupert Smith and others.

For more information visit the festival's website here.