Storyhouse Queer, the venue's annual celebration of LGBTQIA+ communities, will return to Chester next month - with Slater Heelis Solicitors as its main sponsor.

Taking place in February 2026, Storyhouse Queer is a festival programme spanning theatre, film, talks, live events and community activity - created in partnership with Chester Pride.

The sponsorship forms part of Slater Heelis' wider corporate partnership with Storyhouse, reflecting a shared commitment to meaningful support for LGBTQIA+ communities across Chester.

Support from Slater Heelis will help deliver the 2026 festival programme, expand opportunities for free and low-cost events, and broaden invitations to local LGBTQIA+ communities.

"Storyhouse Queer is about celebration, representation and creating space for LGBTQIA+ voices to be heard and valued," said Victoria Harrison, development director at Storyhouse.

"We're incredibly grateful to Slater Heelis for supporting the festival and for standing alongside us in championing inclusion and community.

"Their sponsorship is already having a real impact on what is set to be a fantastic festival, by offering people and families even more opportunities to participate in 2026."

As an LGBT Foundation Accredited legal firm, Slater Heelis will offer a series of free LGBTQIA+ legal clinics during the festival week, to offer advice tailored to LGBTQIA+ people and their families.

This could include exploring parenthood through donor conception, cohabitation agreements, navigating relationship breakdowns or planning wills.

Rachel Fletcher, managing partner at Slater Heelis Solicitors, added: "At Slater Heelis, our commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community is long-standing and deeply embedded in how we work.

"We have previously been involved with Manchester Pride and are passionate about continuing to champion visibility, inclusion and access to trusted legal advice.

"We are therefore incredibly excited to be expanding this support in Chester, with Storyhouse by our side and to be part of a partnership that creates welcoming, meaningful spaces for LGBTQIA+ communities."

Storyhouse Queer takes place annually at Storyhouse in Chester and has become a key fixture in the venue's programme, welcoming audiences from across the city and beyond.

This year's highlights include a first glimpse of Babyface, a brand new wrestling musical set in Rhyl; Fixing, a drag show about family, car maintenance and self-repair; and Queenz, the live vocal 'drag-stravaganza' direct from the West End.

The programme also includes the Iris Prize LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, a global celebration of LGBTQIA+ storytelling bringing award-winning short films to Storyhouse Cinema.

 For more information about Storyhouse Queer, you can visit here.