Hereford 'Out In The Sticks'

This years Out In The Sticks Festival is not just a series of events for the Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans people of Herefordshire – it's a festival for all! Herefordshire's Rainbow Forum has planned these events to coincide with IDAHO (International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia).

In the space of just four weeks, the whole community can look forward to live theatre, film and a great big "Shades of Grey Diversity Celebration in the Park"!  This will be held on May 15th, midday to 11pm on Castle Green. This shall include include circus performance training, live music, a pig roast, face painters... and much MUCH MORE! This event is very much a family event that aims to include as many diverse members of society as it can muster.

Out in the Sticks is supported by a number of local organisations including Herefordshire Council, West Mercia Police, Herefordshire Housing and The Courtyard Centre for the Arts.

Many Herefordshire based businesses have also given their support to the festival including ABC Print, The Black Lion and Minerva Counselling and Training, as well as Gay Pride UK, a national support network for LGBT community events.

There has been a raft of legislation in recent years, including the Sexual Orientation Regulations in 2007. However, we can legislate to change the way people act but not to change hearts and minds. We must do this through events such as Out in the Sticks.

By bringing the Heterosexual and LGBT communities together, we break down some of the barriers and show that LGBT people are like everyone else - we are sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, colleagues and friends.

These fantastic events are absolutely essential for our local LGBT community, as well as being fun and informative for everyone.

So come along and enjoy!

Following the success of a pilot festival last year, the Rainbow Forum (in co-operation with Herefordshire Council Diversity Team and Gay-Pride.org.uk itself!!) organised a second 'Out in the Sticks' festival to run across May (to coincide with IDAHo, International Day Against Homophobia). Some of the fun and frolics where focused around the Courtyard, providing an arts festival to be seconded by none.

Last years festival also had a pink picnic planned, to be held on Castle Green. This was to be held on IDAHo itself (17th May) but was unfortunately called off due to bad weather.

The first 'Out in the Sticks' festival was held in February 2008 and the Herefordshire Equality Partnership (HEP) organised a month-long LGBTQ festival to coincide with LGBT History Month. This comprised of a series of events across the county but predominantly centred at the Courtyard in Hereford city. The events included live theatre and comedy, educational theatre, library events featuring nationally acclaimed authors (including Stella Duffy and Paul Burston), film showings, a civil partnership fair, a club night at the Black Lion and a conference for professionals who work with LGBTQ young people.