DIVA chatted to the non-binary poet about feeling seen and the power of community
BY CALYPSO LLOYD-DAVIES, IMAGE BY DANNY MARSH
Letting vulnerability and authenticity shine through spoken word, non-binary poet S-Bars brings something raw and real to queer poetry. The poet hosts LGBTQIA+ open mic poetry nights throughout the year, amongst many other queer-centric events.
We chatted to S-Bars about these poetry nights, the importance of queer spaces and their journey.
What are some of your highlights from these LGBTQIA+ poetry nights?
The support. There’s such support and wholesomeness in the room, and everyone is truly just so lovely, whether that’s the audience or the performers; there’s just this really beautiful active listening. I think it really is a space where people have made friends, people have kick-started their poetry careers, and there’s a real warmth that I can’t describe.
How have you found hosting poetry events?
After every performance, I’ll always drop a compliment, I’ll always give some love, I take it very seriously to make sure that I’m there and I’m with them. To have people share their truth and their stories is just such a privilege, so hosting is not something I take lightly. My motto in there is to encourage community conversation, lead with kindness and openness, and, lastly, have fun!
How important is it to you to have these queer spaces?
It’s so engraved in what I do, and I couldn’t imagine not creating those spaces now. I think it is vital to have spaces for the queer community.
My stance is you cannot guarantee a safe space, you can do your absolute best to put measures in to facilitate that, but there is something about queer spaces where that’s already like an unspoken rule, that you are comfortable, and you aresurrounded by your community. You are able to come into a space and talk about things that maybe in spaces that aren’t queer, you can’t talk about.
How does it feel performing your poetry on stage, especially to an audience that may resonate with it?
I feel accepted and seen for who I am, and I can be unmasked. I think a lot of the time, as part of the queer community, that’s all you want, just to be able to exist. I know in the room, even if they don’t understand, there’s that willingness to get on board and support each other, and that’s what I love, that’s what makes me feel safe.
You’ve spoken on stage about your experiences with gender dysphoria. Can you tell us about that?
I’ve known that I haven’t liked my chest for a very long time, as soon as it started to grow. My mum had breast cancer when I was younger, and as a non-binary person, I remember putting those two together like “I know I don’t want my chest, but is it because of my gender or is it because I’m scared of getting breast cancer?” I started to write a poem from there, which is called Say It With Your Chest, and I was able to validate my experience.
Can you tell us about your fundraiser for top surgery?
When I put the GoFundMe link up, it was one of the most petrifying things I have ever done. We often see the support, but I knew I had to be prepared for not-so-nice messages.
In May, I had a really big fundraiser, it was a cabaret into an after party, and aside from raising amazing money, it was, I think, truly, one of the best moments in my entire life. Seeing a room full of people who love you and who support you, saying “I want you to feel comfortable in your skin”, I will never get over that feeling. When I think of queer community, I’m like, “Look at us, we show up for each other, we want people to feel good in themselves”, and I just think you can’t beat that.
If you want to see S-Bars and some beautiful poetry, get these in your diaries:
- Riverside Studios Queer Poetry Open Mic Night – 14 October
- Morocco Bound Bookshop LGBTQIA+ Poetry Open Mic Night – 28 October
Find S-Bars, and more information about their soon-to-be-announced events all over the UK, here:
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