Nik Jovčić-Sas

 News 

Local performer, LGBTQ+ activist and academic Nik Jovčić-Sas to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate

Wednesday, 21 May, 2025

Bath Spa University will award its second Honorary Doctorate of Social Inclusion to Bath-based performer and LGBTQ+ activist Nik Jovčić-Sas during Summer Graduation ceremonies in July. 

BSU was named Sunday Times University of the Year for Social Inclusion in 2024. The Honorary Doctorate of Social Inclusion recognises individuals who have made a notable contribution to the community and to championing equality, diversity and inclusion for people of all backgrounds. 

Born in Bath and raised in Midsomer Norton, Nik studied Theology at King’s College London, specialising in queer history and affirming theology. A passionate musician and performer, Nik is a familiar presence as a busker on the streets of Bath, has performed at Glastonbury Festival four times with his band Ninotchka and is a driving force in Bath’s queer nightlife as the host of WIG! – a celebrated drag cabaret – as their alter ego, Mother. 

Talking about what social inclusion means to him, Nik said: 

“Social inclusion is about the most fundamental building block of humanity: community. It’s the practice of expanding communities and making them stronger through diversity, welcoming in those who’ve historically been excluded and celebrating the richness they bring.” 

Nik’s academic work explores the intersection of religion, sexuality, and identity, and they have lectured and delivered talks and seminars at universities, conferences, and religious institutions across Europe and North America. The intersection – and unfortunate clashes – of religion and queer identity was extremely formative for Nik and sparked his passion for being an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights within the Orthodox Church. 

Recounting this experience, Nik said: 

“Around the time I first started realising I was queer, Serbia – my family’s home country – held its first ever Pride march in the capital, Belgrade. Around 50 people gathered in the city centre with flags and badges, with the intention of marching. But as it began, the event was attacked by thousands of far-right extremists, accompanied by priests and monks who blessed the attackers and declared that LGBTQ+ people deserved death and were going to hell.  

“I was 11 years old when I saw that. It was deeply traumatic – and while it would turn many away from faith, it made me more curious. I started reading Orthodox theology and came across the work of inclusive scholars, and it gave me a passion to challenge the lie that Christians should exclude the LGBTQ+ community.” 

Nik has published research on same-sex relationships in Orthodox Christianity in the Balkans and on the intersection of Orthodoxy and LGBTQ+ rights. They have also done grassroots work across Serbia, Ukraine, Moldova, the US and the UK, speaking at Pride events, making documentaries, and collecting the stories of queer people in Orthodox-majority countries. 

Having worked as an activist internationally for over a decade, Nik founded and ran Midsomer Norton Pride – the first ever Pride event in Bath and Northeast Somerset – for four years and was a major organiser of Bath Pride in 2024, leading the first Pride march in the city’s history. They said that activism has always been a part of their life and growing up in ‘an activist household’ gave them a sense of purpose. 

Explaining further, Nik said: 

“My parents were politically engaged, served on the local council, and were anti-racism campaigners involved in the Bath Racial Equality Council. I was going to meetings, leafleting, and marching from a young age. That upbringing gave me a sense of responsibility – a belief that we all have a duty to help build a better world.” 

Throughout his life Nik has strived to create that better world for others, and particularly for young people, who inspire him with their energy and strong sense of justice.  

Nik said: 

“As we get older, there’s a natural tendency to settle into comfort. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it can lead to apathy. Young people carry a fire for justice that demands to be heard. That’s powerful.” 

While his academic and activist work is important, Nik also finds time to celebrate, spread joy and shine a spotlight on Bath’s queer community. He’s currently organising the first ever Queer Bath festival, a celebration of LGBTQ+ history and culture involving museums across the city, including the Pride NOT Prejudice Drag Ball taking place on 6 June for Jane Austen's 250th birthday. WIG! (and Mother) returns to Komedia on 10 August, with plans to celebrate the show’s seventh anniversary in October. 

Aiming to be ‘the person you needed when you were young,’ as someone once advised him, Nik says he wants to build a world where young queer people can grow up safe, proud and celebrated. An inspirational role model for young people – and the BSU community – Nik highlighted the importance of persistence and following your dreams, whether that’s activism, organising in your community, performing, being a fabulous drag queen, or a mixture of all of these.  

He offered this advice: 

“You owe it to yourself to live your dreams. If activism calls to you, answer it! But also: there’s no shortcut. With activism, with community work, with life – the key is persistence. Sometimes you’ll feel like you’re winning, sometimes like you’re losing, but the real victory is just keeping on. Even if you don’t achieve all the change you hope for, you might lay the groundwork for someone else to take it further. And that’s beautiful.” 

BSU’s Summer Graduation ceremonies will take place from 21-23 July at The Forum in Bath.