The Role of LGBT Poet Laureate
Trudy Howson has been the inaugural LGBT+ Poet Laureate since 2016.
In this post, she is expected to:
- Write poems for nationally and internationally recognised LGBT days and events.
- Write, perform and promote poetry that reflects and celebrates the very diverse experience of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans people within our society.
- Raise the profile and accessibility of LGBT poetry.
The LGBT Poet Laureate’s poetry will:
- Portray the lives and experiences of the LGBT community.
- Celebrate our style and culture.
- Support LGBT people who feel isolated and marginalized within our society.
- Encourage within our community a sense of self respect and pride.
- Raise a greater public awareness of the LGBT community.
- Encourage LGBT people of all ages, nationalities and types, to read, write, watch and listen to poetry.
I accepted the LGBT Poet Laureate award at INCITE@the phoenix London, WC2 with guests Neil Bartlett and Rachel Nwokoro.
Biography
Ex actress and ex long-haul traveller Trudy Howson’s poetry explores landscapes, internal and external.
She writes about the landscape of the LGBT community with warmth and humour. Her work is topical and inspirational. She is currently developing a living interactive form of poetry.
Trudy has performed her poetry in pubs, clubs, theatres, fields and forests. On boats, buses, local and national radio and TV. She has performed extensively in India, South East Asia and Burma.
Her poetry has been published in The Telegraph, The Times, and The London Review, as well as numerous magazines and online publications.
Trudy wrote a living-interactive poem for The London Olympics called Going for Gold which the BBC filmed and used as a trailer in the run up to the event. She has also performed her work and hosted INCITE@The Phoenix, a popular monthly LGBT poetry event in an iconic theatrical venue in the West End.
Selected Credits
Polari London’s Gay Literary Salon on the Southbank
St Pauls Cathedral Poem for launch of ‘No to Hate Crime Week’
Beach Hut Poetry Channel 4 “Homes by the Sea”
“Together” Film for LGBT History Month
“Schwule” International Holocaust Day
Raise The Bar Soho
L’ Escargot Soho
Vauxhall Tavern South London
Two Brewers South London
Out in Brighton Radio
“Banned!” Brighton Town Hall/Library
Roundhouse Radio Queer Quips
The L Word The Poetry Café, WC2
Russia With Love Ku Bar, WC1 / ITN News
The Outlaws London/Norfolk various venues
Kino Teatro Hastings