Applications are open for the 2021 Pride Poets Cohort

Author: Edit Team

March 23, 2021

Apply to join Pride Poets in 2021 online, now through 5pm PT on Monday, April 5.

We’re thrilled to share poetry in a new format this year: 2021 Pride Poets will co-create our first ever Poetry Hotline–writing custom poems for callers (and maybe even sharing some queer & unqualified relationship advice.) The Poetry Hotline will run marathon style 10am to 10pm on June 11-13.

For the last two years, Pride Poets has brought together LGBTQ+ literary community and members of the public. In 2019 we popped up with typewriters around West Hollywood throughout the month of Pride, crafting over 600 new poems for passersby commemorating their personal queer histories. In 2020 we fielded 60 custom poem requests submitted online and ran Pride Mic, which featured 100+ LGBTQ+ writers and notable historian Lillian Faderman (Gay LA).

We are looking for 10 new poets to join our little cohort in creating poetry as a public service and supporting one another’s writing lives. Participation includes writing custom poems for strangers and friends, and expanding our reach through outlets like putting poems in chalk on the streets, audio and video projects. 

This program is supported by a grant from the City of West Hollywood’s Arts Division as part of the City’s One City One Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival (May 22 – June 30). More info at www.weho.org/pride or @wehoarts.

WHO SHOULD APPLY:

All LGBTQI+ poets & writers are welcome! Queer poets of color, trans poets, poets with disabilities, and West Hollywood-based poets especially encouraged to apply. Since we are mostly virtual again this year, poets from anywhere in the world may apply, though preference will be given to LA/WeHo folks. Allies, thank you for helping us keep this space reserved for queer writers, you’re the best.

To Apply and for more information visit bit.ly/beapridepoet2021 Application closes April 5, 2021 at 5 pm Pacific