On a beautiful summer evening, the Black Box was filled to capacity for our annual tenx9 in conjunction with Belfast Pride. Always a great evening, here are four amazing stories: Maureen Boyle with a tale of shared interests & intimacy in the USA; Tony Doyle on how he got through those difficult straight teenage years; Kirsty Mulholland who found support where she had feared rejection; Fidelma Carolan who realised God isn’t just for the “straights”. Paul is your host.

Tenx9 is a monthly storytelling event where nine people have up to ten minutes to tell a true story from their own life on a particular theme. It began in Belfast in 2011, started by Pádraig Ó Tuama & Paul Doran, and as well as filling the main venue in the Black Box, it has spread to Scotland, England, USA, Canada, Netherlands & Australia.

While it draws on the tradition of oral storytelling, we also encourage the shy, the nervous & the reticent - some people are confident speakers other use notes or the full text.

We work with people via email or workshops to edit and improve their stories, to help them find their voice.

We have also worked with prisoners as well as young people who have been in the care system.