It seems like every time we read the news LGBTQ+ rights are under attack someplace. Yet, we always hear wonderful stories from queer people about how amazing the country, state, city, town, neighborhood, or cabin in the woods where they live really is.
This year’s IHS reading challenge will focus on books set in different parts of the world. We think it’s vital to show that sapphic people not only exist but are everywhere.
We also want to hear from authors and readers about where they live. If you’d like to share your experiences, click here for the interview form.
Today, Rhiannon Grant is here to tell us about Birmingham, UK.
Where in the world will you be taking us today?
Birmingham, UK
Tell us in one sentence what’s so special about living in this place.
Birmingham is well-connected and lively with something for everyone.
How long have you lived there? Or, if you no longer live in this place, how long were you there and when did you leave?
I moved here for work almost ten years ago.
What is/was it like being a sapphic (or LGBTQ+) person living in this place?
It’s mostly good – we have queer-friendly businesses, including a rainbow bus, and Pride events.
What about living in this place gives you hope?
The number of options, the vibrant culture, and the multicultural sharing.
Are there any challenges to living in this place, either as a queer person or more generally?
At the moment the bin workers in the city are on strike and have been for some time – rubbish piling up on the street is a problem for everyone!
For someone who has never been there, what’s the one thing that they must see or do if visiting your area?
The famous tourist attraction is Cadbury World – the chocolate factory, now with rides and things as well.
What’s the one type of regional food and/or drink they absolutely must try?
A curry in the Balti Triangle is traditional!
Do you have a favorite local restaurant? What makes it special?
I’m not a foodie, but my wife recommends Kabuli, a really delicious Afghan restaurant in Moseley. Another suggestion is Chilli Kitchen, in the city centre, which does excellent Chinese food.
Meet Rhiannon Grant
Although I live in Birmingham, the two sapphic novels I’ve published so far are both set in Orkney, islands in the far north of Scotland. Orkney is a beautiful place and also a fascinating one: we have a few hard-to-spot prehistoric remains round Birmingham (burnt mounds which might be the remains of ancient saunas, for example) but in Orkney whole stone villages and monumental tombs, as well as stone circles, from the Neolithic period thousands of years ago. As you can probably tell, I’m fascinated by archaeology and what we can learn or guess about what life was like in the distant past. I’m also interested in religion and philosophy, especially to think through how people make sense of the world around them.
