Leanne Leeds

Adam Lowe, born in 1985, is a British writer, performer, and publisher based in Manchester. He is recognized as the UK's LGBT+ History Month Poet Laureate and was Yorkshire's Poet in 2012. Lowe's work encompasses poetry, plays, and fiction, often addressing themes of disability, LGBT+ experiences, and the lives of mixed-race and Black British communities. He is also known for his drag persona, Beyonce Holes.

Lowe's background includes Afro-Caribbean, British, and Irish heritage, and he is the son of politician Alison Lowe. He holds degrees from the University of Leeds and is pursuing a PhD at the University of Manchester. His family was previously featured in an ITV docu-soap. Lowe identifies as genderfluid, primarily using he/his pronouns, except when performing in drag.

His career involves significant contributions to literature and arts advocacy. He co-founded Young Enigma, a writer development project, and serves as Editor-in-Chief for Vada Magazine and Dog Horn Publishing. Lowe has performed internationally and is actively involved with organizations supporting LGBTQ+ rights and arts, such as Black Gold Arts and Schools OUT UK. His notable works include the poetry collection 'Patterflash' and the novella 'Troglodyte Rose,' both of which have received critical attention.

Adam Lowe's writing centers on themes of disability, the experiences of the LGBT+ community, and the lives of Black British and mixed-race individuals, exploring the intersections of these identities. His work often delves into personal and political narratives, as seen in his contributions to anthologies and his solo performances. Lowe has a particular interest in exploring identity through language, including the use of Polari, a form of rhyming slang historically used by the gay community. His poetry and plays have been noted for their vivid emotional landscapes and clear-eyed observations of human relationships and societal dynamics. His novella 'Troglodyte Rose' was a finalist for a Lambda Literary Award, and his poetry pamphlet 'Precocious' was nominated for the Guardian First Book Prize.

Beyond his written works, Lowe is an active performer, often appearing as his drag alter ego, Beyonce Holes. He has performed globally at various venues, festivals, and conferences. His advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights is a significant aspect of his public life; he is the UK's first LGBT+ History Month Poet Laureate and serves on the management committee for Schools OUT UK. Lowe has also participated in protests and performances related to social justice issues, including events for LGBT+ History Month and Black Lives Matter. His performances have included collaborations with musicians and other artists, and he has engaged with themes of queering archives and contested histories in his work.

Lowe is a notable figure in the publishing world, serving as Editor-in-Chief for both Vada Magazine and Dog Horn Publishing. He also contributes to the publicity department at Peepal Tree Press, an organization known for publishing Black British and Caribbean writers. He co-founded Young Enigma, a project dedicated to developing young writers. His editorial work extends to anthologies, such as 'The World Reimagined' (2022), which features poets exploring the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans. Previously, he was Features Editor for Bent Magazine and Editor of the speculative fiction magazine Polluto.

“A vivid picture of emotions, deeply felt, but with a clear-eyed view of the ways we humans live, love and sometimes betray”

“Effervescent with verbal velocity, buzzing with innuendo and insight, often pithy, sometimes poignant, Patterflash is a lovesong to language. Adam Lowe switches brilliantly between registers, from Polari to Yorkshire vernacular to everything in between. The effect is thrilling. This unique debut demands a standing ovation. I loved it!”

“A collection of ecstatic queer hymns that walk us through Leeds, through Manchester, with the unique language of being young and queer in the north.”

“versatile and widely published young writer”

“the non-conformist and boundary-breaking approach to writing in Leeds”