The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, known for its vibrant celebration of diverse art and culture, has seen a troubling incident involving the show posters of queer artist Sarah Alice Shull. Her one-woman performance, “Something To Believe In,” which delves into the struggles of reconciling queerness with the rigid doctrines of an all-girls Catholic school, has become the target of repeated vandalism. The posters, prominently displayed across the festival’s venues, have been torn down in what appears to be an act of anti-LGBTQ+ hostility.
Captured on video by the show’s director, Erin Reynolds, the footage reveals three individuals brazenly ripping down a poster and discarding it. The artwork, featuring Jesus on the cross wearing a schoolgirl’s uniform with a rainbow badge, was crafted by Liela Crosset. Shull and her team are proud of the provocative design, which boldly challenges conventional religious imagery while promoting a message of inclusivity and acceptance.
Shull expressed her dismay over the damage, noting the financial burden that such incidents impose on independent artists. Yet, she acknowledges a grim relief that the vandalism has not escalated into more violent acts, which continue to plague the LGBTQ+ community. “Unfortunately, there are still physical acts of violence being perpetrated against the LGBTQ+ community, especially those who don’t look like me – who aren’t white, who aren’t cis,” Shull reflected.
The vandalism is emblematic of a broader trend of intolerance, echoing the dangerous entanglement of religion and politics, particularly in the United States. Shull’s show, while deeply personal, touches on universal themes of breaking free from the guilt and shame imposed by rigid religious upbringing—a message that resonates with many, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has been notified, and Police Scotland is involved in the investigation. As the festival continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ artists in expressing their truths in a world that is still, at times, hostile to their existence.
