by Rex Wockner
International News Briefs
The International Festival of Queer Culture will take place Sept. 19-27 in St. Petersburg, Russia, with support from the Swedish and Dutch consulates and local travel-book publishers.
Planned events include plays, photo exhibits, poetry readings, music performances, seminars, workshops and discussions.
A closing night concert will feature the American pop rock group Betty along with established and emerging local bands.
"We use the term 'queer' to go beyond LGBT-sphere and to include everyone," said the organizers. "'Queer,' in our interpretation, is rebellion against stigmas and labels. It expands the rigid frameworks surrounding social stereotypes and stereotypes of identity, sex and gender. … The aim of our festival is to unite different people around constructive creativity, common values, and positive emotions."
