Austin Slam Poet, Lacey Roop, Gender is a Universe. This is the first poem I ever saw Lacey do. So much heart and expansive language. This poem says and does so much. You can check out more of Lacey’s work on her website. Also, look for her touring across the country and at her home venue tonight, SpiderHouse Ballroom in Austin, TX.
“Instead of carving out a tiny gay space out of the small stream of bourgeois, legislative rights, can we imagine a kind of sexual freedom that is for all people? A kind of freedom where a single mom is able to bring up her child without feeling obligations to marry? A kind of freedom that no one would be restrained in pantyhose at work anymore? A kind of freedom that as a culture we are finally not tabooed to talk about sex, but does not idealize or professionalize it either? A kind of freedom that everyone would play with gender without shame, and a culture that no youth would commit suicide because of school bullying, or because they might just have a different sexual fantasy? A kind of place that no one would be afraid to walk the streets at night, where none of our body parts– our brains or our genitals –are pathologized. A kind of freedom that is multifaceted, and does not merely carve out a different shape of box to fit in a particular sexuality, but opens up the possibility to more creative desires for everyday folks.”
I said a poem for my girlfriend on All About You which airs on KSBI “Family Television” here in Oklahoma, and they didn’t even register it as being “gay.” At the end she says, “That is just like every man.” I guess they didn’t catch the “Ellen fans” or the “tux with heels” or the “closet door” reference but that’s quite alright because I got to say a poem for my sweetie on TV. I come in at 2:33 if you feel like watching it. Sorry for the advertising.
High-res
In honor of my love, and Grand Lover’s Excuse to Buy Tacky Lingerie Day. An excerpt from the poem, Submissive.
Sonya Renee Taylor. The poem that spawned the movement: The Body Is Not An Apology. If you haven’t already joined the Facebook group, you should do that now. Bodies of all genders, sizes, scars, and glories gather to celebrate in our gorgeous. Without boundary or shame, it is a peaceful kiss for every limb. Sonya Renee is an Individual World Poetry Slam Champion, a member of Saltlines Poetry Tour and a longtime advocate for anyone who needs a voice. Here she is on Snap Judgement too.
