A NEW series of LGBTQ+ storytelling evenings, featuring celebrated writers such as Val McDermid, is being launched to mark Scotland’s Year of Stories this year.

Queer Folks’ Tales will also feature trans playwright Jo Clifford and stand-up comedian Bruce Devlin.

Beginning this week on Thursday, March 3, Queer Folks’ Tales is the start of Scotland’s national storytelling centre’s celebrations for the Year of Stories.

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It will be hosted at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh by drama producer Turan Ali, who will introduce a mix of well-known and new LGBTQ+ storytellers from the city and around Scotland.

As well as producing, directing and writing BBC Radio dramas and ­comedies for over 20 years, Ali has been telling stories of queer lives and experiences on stage since 2012.

He said: “Many of the stories told in the Queer Folks’ Tales evenings are true stories of LGBTQ+ experience in Scotland today. Sometimes hilarious, often moving, occasionally shocking, the mix of stories across the year is going to be as varied as the range of storytellers we are inviting.

“We will have household names involved, as well as new and diverse queer storytellers from the different communities of Scotland.

“I am delighted that queer stories are going to be a regular part of the programme at Scotland’s national storytelling centre.”

The idea started with the first Queer Folks’ Tales evening last ­October, as part of the Scottish ­International ­Storytelling Festival. The evening was a sell-out success and Edinburgh City Council has agreed to fund five evenings this year, set for March 3, May 5, July 7, ­September 8 and ­November 10.

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Each evening will see four ­storytellers perform two stories, ­ensuring a wide variety of styles and ­experiences. Thursday’s line-up ­includes Devlin, prized resident MC of Edinburgh’s Stand comedy club, writer and psychologist ZK ­Abraham and Scottish novelist and short story writer, Ely Percy, author of acclaimed novel Duck Feet.

The evenings will be co-produced by Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland and Edinburgh production ­company Bona Broadcasting Ltd.

Tickets for Thursday’s evening event can be purchased now via the Scottish Storytelling Centre website:

https://scottishstorytellingcentre.online.red61.co.uk/event/913:4071/913:15924/