Who we are and what we do
Founded in 2007 in a bar in Soho, Polari is the UK’s leading live showcase for emerging and established LGBTQ+ literary talent. Inspired by the gay slang of the same name, Polari is a celebration of LGBTQ+ words and voices – whether written, spoken or sung.
We also run the Polari Prize awards for books which explore the LGBTQ+ experience, by writers born or based in the UK and Ireland. The 2024 prize winners were announced last November at The British Library – Nicola Dinan, Sarah Hagger-Holt and Jon Ransom.
Curated and hosted by author Paul Burston, Polari has appeared at arts centres, bars, book festivals, book shops, galleries, libraries, museums, nightclubs, Pride events, a race course and even a gay sauna. This wide variety of venues ensures that we reach audiences of all kinds.
EVENTS
Polari at The British Library with Joelle Taylor, Jon Ransom and live music from Kit Green
EVENTS
The Polari Prize National Showcase included 32 dates across the UK, funded by Arts Council England
We also tour regularly, funded by Arts Council England. The Polari Prize National Showcase ran from October 2023 until November 2024.
Find out more about our upcoming events