The Queer Motherhood Project is an arts and research project by Mobilise Arts
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE PROVIDED
Mobilise Arts is developing a new arts and research project, The Queer Motherhood Project, which will collect the stories of queer mothers to create an immersive theatre show. This project is partnered with Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), DIVA, Shout Festival of Queer Arts and Culture, Birmingham Pride Community Foundation, the Sir Barry Jackson Trust and Arts Council England.
Dr Hannah Phillips, a queer mother, theatre-maker and director of Mobilise Arts, decided that she wanted to make a show about queer motherhood after writing an article for DIVA in response to the Italian government’s treatment of lesbian mothers in 2023.
Dr Hannah Phillips said: “I was both angered and saddened by the news from the Italian Government and I want to give radical visibility to the lived experiences of a diversity of queer mothers who are often excluded from mainstream motherhood narratives. We want to hear the unique stories and experiences of queer-identifying mothers and invite them to take part via https://mobilisearts.fillout.com/queermotherhood.”
This new immersive show will fuse live music, video, and spoken word to share the vast experiences of queer mothers. This new work – which will premiere at Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) in September as part of their Motherhood season – is a collaboration between queer artists Hannah Phillips and Rachel Jones and features a video appearance by comedian, writer and actor Jen Brister.
Jen Brister, comedian, writer and actor, said: “As a lesbian Mum who has no biological connection to my sons I viscerally understand how important it is that the status of queer parents should be protected, their voices amplified and their experiences shared far and wide.”
Those identifying as queer mothers can share their lived experiences via mobilisearts.fillout.com/queermotherhood or those wanting to be photographed or filmed for a Vox Pop for the immersive show should contact Hannah via Mobilise Arts www.mobilisearts.co.uk/. To keep up to date follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @MobiliseArts.
To purchase tickets for the performances in September visit: macbirmingham.co.uk/events/the-queer-motherhood-project
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