Messages of Support for past and present GFESTs:

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “As a Mayor for all Londoners, I want to say loud and clear that our city is open to everyone – regardless of background or sexuality.  We don’t simply tolerate each other, but respect, embrace and celebrate our differences. GFEST is a unique event in London’s cultural calendar, reaching out to the wider international LGBTQI community and celebrating the work of LGBTQI artists and performers. It showcases our diversity and highlights our reputation as one of the most LGBT friendly cities in the world.”

•  I am delighted to offer my support to this year’s GFEST (2015), celebrating some of the brightest and best talent in the LGBTQI community here and abroad.  I am looking forward to coming along to one of the events in my constituency and send my best wishes to everyone taking part this year and to Wise Thoughts for organising such a fantastic diverse programme – Catherine West, MP

• Message of Support from Boris Johnson, former Mayor of London
• Message of Support from Baroness Lynne Featherstone
• Video Message of Support from David Lammy MP for Tottenham and Patron of Wise Thoughts, the arts charity that runs GFEST
• Events like GFEST enrich our society and challenge us to think more about the world around us – David Cameron, Prime Minister
• With contributions from across the country and also internationally, GFEST highlights talent as wide-ranging and diverse as the LGBT community itself – Boris Johnson, former Mayor of London
• It provides a fantastic platform not just for the LGBT community but also for London and for the arts – Jeremy Hunt, MP
• Proud and happy to support GFEST, which does so much to promote the work of LGBT artists everywhere – Stephen Fry
• GFEST and the many LGBTI artists are in the front-line of queer culture, articulating our identities, experiences, triumphs and tragedies – Peter Tatchell
• As a lesbian and a Londoner, I’m excited about GFEST.. that makes our queer communities so vibrant, and our capital city so rich. I hope GFEST just gets bigger, bolder and more beautiful, year by year! – Sarah Waters, Author
• GFEST is an excellent forum for encouraging new artists as well as established acts – Margot James, MP
• I send my very best wishes to GFEST, and hope the festival is a huge success. Giving full expression to some of the best in LGBT arts – Rt Hon Lord Smith (Lord Chris Smith)
• I am delighted to see innovation coupled with a celebration of LGBT creators and audiences. I wish all success to the GFEST – Trevor Phillips, former Chair EHRC