We are delighted to announce that we will be the main sponsor of Storyhouse Queer, the venue’s annual celebration of LGBTQIA+ stories, artists and communities, taking place in February 2026.
The sponsorship forms part of our wider corporate partnership with Storyhouse and reflects a shared commitment to inclusivity, visibility and meaningful support for LGBTQIA+ communities across Chester and the region.
Storyhouse Queer is a bold and joyful festival programme spanning theatre, film, talks, live events and community activity, creating welcoming spaces for connection, creativity and conversation, created in partnership with Chester Pride. Our support will help deliver the 2026 festival programme, expand opportunities for free and low-cost events, and broaden invitations to local LGBTQIA+ communities.
As an LGBT Foundation Accredited legal firm, we will offer a series of free LGBTQIA+ Legal Clinics during the festival week, to offer inclusive, approachable advice tailored to LGBTQIA+ people and their families, helping them to feel informed and empowered. This could include exploring parenthood through donor conception, cohabitation agreements, navigating relationship breakdowns or planning wills.
As part of the partnership, Slater Heelis and Storyhouse will also collaborate on shared activity during the festival, including a launch event, visible sponsorship across festival communications, and the creation of dual-branded rainbow bookmarks to be distributed during Storyhouse Queer and beyond.
Rachel Fletcher, Managing Partner at Slater Heelis Solicitors, said: “At Slater Heelis, our commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community is long-standing and deeply embedded in how we
work. We have proudly maintained partnerships with national organisations such as LGBT Foundation and Switchboard for more than a decade; and our LGBT Foundation-trained legal teams approach every matter as allies with empathy, sensitivity and a clear understanding of the issues that LGBTQ+ individuals and families may face.
“We have previously been involved with Manchester Pride and are passionate about continuing to champion visibility, inclusion and access to trusted legal advice. We are therefore incredibly excited to be expanding this support in Chester, with Storyhouse by our side and to be part of a partnership that creates welcoming, meaningful spaces for LGBTQIA+ communities.”
Victoria Harrison, Development Director at Storyhouse, said: “Storyhouse Queer is about celebration, representation and creating space for LGBTQIA+ voices to be heard and valued. We’re incredibly grateful to Slater Heelis for supporting the festival and for standing alongside us in championing inclusion and community. Their sponsorship is already having a real impact on what is set to be a fantastic festival, by offering people and families even more opportunities to participate in 2026.”
Storyhouse Queer takes place annually at Storyhouse in Chester and has become a key fixture in the venue’s programme, welcoming audiences from across the city and beyond. A community festival co-created with people from local LGBTQIA+ communities of all ages, Storyhouse Queer 2026 highlights include a first glimpse of Babyface, a brand new wrestling musical set in Rhyl; Fixing, a drag show about family, car maintenance and self-repair; and Queenz, the live vocal ‘drag-stravaganza’ direct from the West End.
The programme also includes the Iris Prize LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, a global celebration of LGBTQIA+ storytelling bringing award-winning short films to Storyhouse Cinema.
Full Storyhouse Queer listings:
Fixing
4 February 2026, 7.30pm
Iris on the Move + Q&A Short Film Screenings
10 February 2026 6.30pm
Babyface: The Fierce Wrestling Musical (work in progress preview)
11 February 2026 7.30pm
LGBTQIA+ Legal Clinics with Slater Heelis Solicitors
11-12 February 2026
Queer Book Swap
11-17 February 2026
Laugh Out Proud Comedy Night
12 February 2026 7.30pm
Storyhouse Queer Quiz and Social Night
12 February 2026 7.30pm
The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins
14 February 8pm
Tango Workshop
14 February 2026 2.30pm
Mini Pride with Curious Arts
14 February 2026 10am
3000 Lesbians Go To York
15 February 2026 4pm
Queer Spotlight Conversations
15 February 2026 4.30pm
Develop Your Drag Persona
15 February 2026 2pm
Queenz: Drag Me To The Disco
17 February 2026 7.30pm
For more information about Storyhouse Queer, visit: www.storyhouse.com/seasons/storyhouse-queer
For more details on Storyhouse visit www.storyhouse.com