Saints + Sinners Literary Festival

Every spring, the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex heritage is celebrated during the Saints and Sinners Literary Festival. LGBT writers from around the world share their work and vie for prizes in the French Quarter.

Originally begun in 2003 to promote knowledge and awareness of AIDS/HIV, the Saints and Sinners Festival has expanded to showcase a wide cross-section of LGBT writers and their work and also attracts literary enthusiasts.

The festival presents panel discussions, master classes, workshops, readings and performances that center around LGBT literary topics. The festival emphasizes sociability and provides a forum for authors and editors to talk about their work for the benefit of emerging writers and the enjoyment of fans of LGBT literature.

Past festivals have included such intriguing authors, editors, publishers, activists and readers as Dorothy Allison, Nancy Garden, William Mann, Clive Barker, Cyerly Burke, and Abha Dawesar.

Other attendees include Jake Shears from Scissor Sisters, award-winning writers K.M. Soehnlein and Michelle Tea, authors and poets Martin Pousson and Elena Georgiou, along with master classes facilitated by Steven Saylor and Karla Jay.

New Orleans literary lions Kenneth Holditch, Julie Smith and Chris Wiltz have also been among past participants.

Participation in and support for the Saints and Sinners Literary Festival directly benefits the NO/AIDS Task Force and helps rebuild the LGBT cultural and literary community in New Orleans.

The Saints and Sinners Literary Festival is put on by the Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival.