Outburst Festival 2026: Hestor Ectomy - Why am I Like This?

The gays are absolutely everywhere.Through millennia of evolution, homosexuality has prevailed and gay babies continue to be born.But how? And even more importantly: why?Hester Ectomy is NOT a scientist.

He’s a comedian with a Wikipedia account.

And he wants answers.Developed through Outburst’s Brewing programme in 2025, this new full version of Why Am I Like This? unpacks the abundance of niche and outlandish theories around the science of what makes us queer.

Born of boredom, self- indulgent curiosity and questionable research methodologies, Hester invites you on a journey of gay twins, gender identity clinics and horny elephants, in an interactive TED Talk that will probably leave you with far more questions than you came in with.Make sure your phone is charged and log on to The Black Box WiFi to join in Hester’s audience opinion polls, as we ask: does your biology decide who you are, or do you?Event informationACCESS: The space is wheelchair accessible and there will be wheelchair spaces available.

If you are a wheelchair user or have a preference to ensure your comfort due to a disability, please email us at least two days in advance of the show at [email protected] and we will plan your seating.There are gender neutral loos in the space.CONTENT INFORMATION: This is a satirical show and contains subversive humour that may not be to your taste if you are sensitive to sexual humour or playful subversion of homophobic and transphobic tropes.This event is 18+