Introducing our Poet-in-Residence, AFLO. the poet

A message from AFLO.

The coast is where I discovered my queerness. Too many of us spend too much time floating on the outskirts before we finally find a place we belong. It took me a while to feel settled and find my footing, and artistic expression was a huge part of that.

None of us are islands, and I am endlessly grateful to the countless queer creatives I’ve encountered along my journey. They provided some sort of anchoring in this art form, as well as this identity. The waters have felt choppy at times, but I think we can all agree we feel safer to go with the flow when we know we are not alone in this ocean… and this is why The Coast is Queer is such an important event!

Being invited to join the The Coast is Queer crew in the steering group was truly an honour, and I’m excited to embark on a long weekend of sailing around ACCA in my role as poet-in-residence. I’m sure (or shore) there will be plenty of waves to catch at the festival – and I’m looking forward to seeing you in the surf!

Queer community as in lesbian
As in less-bein someone else and more being you
As in less-bein false and more being true
As in less-bein what you were told
And more being what you were meant to be
As in less-bein lost and maybe finding you eventually

Queer community as in gay
As in I gay-ve you my jacket when we were sat outside
Queer community as in you gay-ve them a spare key to yours so they didn’t have to stay outside
Queer community as in they gay-ve you a blanket when you eventually came back, to your own flat,
Because they’re familiar with your setting and they know the layout of your crib like that

Queer community as in bi
As in heartfelt goodbyes (and hellos)
Squeezes that bring citrus freshness to your bones
Greetings that feel like you’re coming home
Queer community as in a comfort zone

Queer community as in trans
As in no queer community without trans people
Queer community as in trans people paved the way for where we find ourselves to today
Queer community as in trans people are so much more than worthy of love, safety and space
Queer community as in trans lives matter – as in there’s no debate

Queer community as in queering and queer-ying
And questioning societal expectations and colonial norms

Queer community as in seeking answers but knowing we have nothing to answer for
Queer community as in challenging prejudices and presumptions that came before
Queer community as in throwing bricks and continuing to kick down doors
Queer community as in intersex
Queer community as in intersectional
Queer community as in accepting all
People don’t fit into these neat little boxes, binaries and demographics
And who on earth would want to anyway?
These imaginary lines
Have ruined lives
The losses are ongoing, preventable and tragic
Queer community as in seeing someone’s magic
And letting it shine
Queer community as in appreciating the fullest spectrum of light

Queer community as in asexual
Queer community as in ace
As in hearts, diamonds, clubs and spades
Queer community as in a house of cards
Fixed with a cheeky bit of Sellotape
Queer community as in holding one another and holding one another up
Queer community as in holding space or hands if anyone calls your bluff

Introducing our Poet in Residence, AFLO. the poet

Queer Community

Queer community as in lesbian
As in less-bein someone else and more being you
As in less-bein false and more being true
As in less-bein what you were told
And more being what you were meant to be
As in less-bein lost and maybe finding you eventually

Queer community as in bi
As in heartfelt goodbyes (and hellos)
Squeezes that bring citrus freshness to your bones
Greetings that feel like you’re coming home
Queer community as in a comfort zone

Queer community as in queering and queer-ying
And questioning societal expectations and colonial norms

Queer community plus – whoever feels they may fit.
Queer community plus – whatever we make of it.

Introducing our Poet in Residence, AFLO. the poet

Queer Community

Queer community as in lesbian As in less-bein someone else and more being you As in less-bein false and more being true As in less-bein what you were told And more being what you were meant to be As in less-bein lost and maybe finding you eventually

Queer community as in bi As in heartfelt goodbyes (and hellos) Squeezes that bring citrus freshness to your bones Greetings that feel like you’re coming home Queer community as in a comfort zone

Queer community as in queering and queer-ying And questioning societal expectations and colonial norms

Queer community plus – whoever feels they may fit. Queer community plus – whatever we make of it.

Queer community as in lesbian
As in less-bein someone else and more being you
As in less-bein false and more being true
As in less-bein what you were told
And more being what you were meant to be
As in less-bein lost and maybe finding you eventually

Queer community as in bi
As in heartfelt goodbyes (and hellos)
Squeezes that bring citrus freshness to your bones
Greetings that feel like you’re coming home
Queer community as in a comfort zone

Queer community as in queering and queer-ying
And questioning societal expectations and colonial norms

Queer community plus – whoever feels they may fit.
Queer community plus – whatever we make of it.