Comedy course builds resilience in Birmingham’s LGBTQ+ community, study finds

An annual comedy course for the LGBTQ+ community has provided a way to process difficult experiences, reframe adversity and connect with others who shared similar life experiences, according to new research conducted by Birmingham City University (BCU).

LGBTQTeeHee! was originally developed and produced by Birmingham Rep as part of Bedlam Festival 2024, a festival celebrating creativity, wellbeing and inclusion.

It gave members of the LGBTQ+ community the chance to develop their own stand-up comedy routines over a ten-week comedy course, leading to a final showcase in front of an audience.

Following participant feedback, BCU was commissioned by Birmingham Rep to academically evaluate the programme’s feasibility for providing mental wellbeing support and improvements when it returned in 2025.

The programme is also exploring how art-based approaches can tackle disproportionately high rates of mental health challenges within the LGBTQ+ community.

The study was recently published in psychology journal, Behavioural Sciences, to reveal the findings from the course on how comedy and community-based interventions are resolving this issue. The lead author of the report is Dr Anthony Gifford, Lecturer in Psychology at BCU.

Through interviews with participants of LGBTQTeeHee!, the study found that comedy became much more than simply telling jokes.

It provided a way to process difficult experiences, reframe adversity and connect with others who shared similar life experiences.

The research, which also identified several key themes including: reclaiming difficult experiences, greater confidence, sense of community, fostering resilience and personal growth. 

Dr Anthony Gifford said: “Comedy gave participants far more than performance skills. 

“This project offered a space to explore identity, connect with others who shared similar experiences and transform difficult experiences into stories of resilience.

“While laughter was central to the programme, the real impact lay in the confidence, belonging and empowerment that participants described.”

The findings from the research also discovered community-based comedy interventions offer accessible and identity-affirming spaces through which LGBTQ+ individuals can explore wellbeing, belonging, and resilience.

One of the participants spoke about the sense of validation and safety at the group: “I’ve spent most of my life feeling like I’m broken. But when I’m with these guys, I don’t feel broken. I feel normal. I feel that’s invaluable.”

Rachel Sharpe, director of creative learning at Birmingham Rep said: “As a producing theatre, discovering, nurturing and incubating bold new ideas is part of Birmingham Rep's DNA. LGBTQTeeHee! is a powerful example of The Rep's commitment to developing innovative work with artists and communities. 

“We are help to create new voices and stories that have the potential to grow beyond their first production.”

Rob Beck, senior drama practitioner at Birmingham Rep who leads the delivery of LGBTQTeeHee!, said “This programme helps people find community, light in the dark and reminds us that together we are stronger. 

 “This has been one of the proudest achievements in my career.”

LGBTQTeeHee! returns again in autumn 2026, starting with a comedy masterclass on 22 August. Register your interest for LGBTQTeeHee! 2026 here.

Pictured from left to right: Angie Belcher, comedy consultant; Rob Beck, Birmingham Rep; Fiona Brook, BCU; and Dr Anthony Gifford, BCU