Vancouver Writers Fest - LGBTQI2S+ Events

At the Vancouver Writers Fest readers of all ages are encouraged to explore the power of storytelling, and books, through our dozens of events with local and international writers. This years events will be presented in both digital and live formats.

We’ve gone through the events being offered at this year’s festival and found these three events of interest to the LGBTQI2S+ community. We’ve included dates, times, words from the website, and links - where you can find more information and tickets. Enjoy!

Danny Ramadan Presents: A Night of Storytelling

https://writersfest.bc.ca/event/danny-ramadan-presents-a-night-of-storytelling

October 24 2021. 7:00PM. Revue Stage

The Night of Storytelling returns in its seventh year with a new home at the Vancouver Writers Fest. Join Syrian-Canadian author Danny Ramadan as he brings Queer, Trans, and Two-Spirit authors to the Revue Stage for a night of readings, stories, and joy under the theme “Evil Exes.” Each of the four authors will read from their work, before talking candidly about what constitutes an evil ex, and the tipping point between lovers and foes (they might even spill the tea on an ex or two).

Danny Ramadan will be joined by Amber Dawn, Jaz Papadopoulos, David Ly, and Brandi Bird. Check our website for more info, and guest bios.

Word! With Sofia Fly, Janice Jo Lee, and Cassandra Myers

https://writersfest.bc.ca/event/word-with-sofia-fly-janice-jo-lee-and-cassandra-myers

Oct 19 2:00 pm Livestreamed

By now our audiences know: Word! is one of the most popular, acclaimed events of our program every year. While seeing these artists on screen may be different, what remains is the magnetic energy of each storyteller and the ability for youth to engage with important ideas through spoken word poetry. Spoken Word Curator Jillian Christmas has invited some of the most exciting artists in the field. Sofia Fly is an LGBTQ rapper and producer who channels inspiration from her Latin roots and Toronto upbringing. Janice Jo Lee is a folk-soul singer-songwriter, spoken word poet, actor, and playwright from Kitchener, Ontario of Korean ancestry. And Cassandra Myers is a queer, trans, crip, mad, South Asian-Italian poet, performer, educator, and social worker from Toronto, Ontario, who has performed their work across the United States and Canada. Each of them promises to ignite the day.

Word! Spoken Word For Adults with Lili Robinson, jaye simpson, and Brandon Wint

https://writersfest.bc.ca/event/word-spoken-word-for-adults-with-jaye-simpson-and-brandon-wint

Oct 21 8:30 pm. Revue Stage

Our Spoken Word event series, curated by award-winning poet and spoken word artist Jillian Christmas, is an effervescent, powerful highlight of our youth programming every year. We’re so excited to bring this exceptional series to the rest of our audience for the first time. Performers include Fringe New Play Prize-winner, playwright, poet, actor, and community organizer Lili Robinson, as well as jaye simpson: an Oji-Cree Saulteaux Indigiqueer from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation. Their work has been published in various publications and their latest work, it was never going to be okay, was shortlisted for the Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ2S+ Emerging Writers and won the Indigenous Voices Award. Brandon Wint is an Ontario-born poet, spoken word artist, and educator whose poems and essays have been published in national anthologies. Divine Animal is his debut book of poetry.

When You Get The Chance: Tom Ryan and Robin Stevenson

https://writersfest.bc.ca/event/youth-when-you-get-the-chance-tom-ryan-and-robin-stevenson

Oct 18. 11:00 am. Livestreamed.

Highly-respected, award-winning authors Tom Ryan and Robin Stevenson have each penned multiple books for teens. They paired up for a powerful book about belonging, identity, love, and fun. When You Get The Chance shares the story of cousins on a road trip to Pride. Mark and Talia are queer, but that’s about all they have in common—Talia is desperate to see her sweetheart, Erin, while Mark just wants some fun. A page-turning read, this YA novel shares their adventures to get to Toronto Pride. Ryan and Stevenson will speak to their writing process, and the importance of being who you are, in a fun, dynamic presentation.