Language is a Queer Thing connects LGBTQIA+ poets from India and the UK to develop new work exploring what it means to be queer in their respective countries.
Delivered by The Queer Muslim Project, VERVE Poetry Festival with support from British Council and BBC Contains Strong Language, the international poetry development programme asks how language can better reflect queer identities and experiences around the world.
Since the programme's launch in 2022, we have supported 12 LGBTQIA+ poets from India and the UK through residencies in Birmingham, Leeds and Mumbai, culminating in two ground-breaking anthologies of queer poems.
Language is a Queer Thing 2024
The 2024 programme will engage six more LGBTQIA+ poets from India and the UK and will focus on using poetry to create and transform communities.
Watch: Performances from the 2023 programme
'Queer South Asian people exist and they have a voice and a lot of alternative perspectives. That brings something fresh to poetry.'
— Jay Mitra, 2023 programme poet
The story so far
Since 2022, the programme has reached over 2 million listeners through BBC Radio and live audiences. Participating writers have performed their work at prominent festivals in the UK and India including BBC Contains Strong Language Festival, Tata Literature Live, Jaipur Literature Festival and Spoken Fest.
Language is a Queer Thing has created strong bonds between the writers, providing them with a nurturing community space as well as career development opportunities, mentoring and workshops.
See also
Tags:
- Theme: LGBTQIA+
- Art Form: Culture and Global Challenges Literature