A New Anthology of Poems from Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Transgender Africans

Check out this call for an interesting new anthology project led by Abayomi Animashaun out of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh:

Many African countries consider homosexuality immoral. In some, homosexuals are subjected to corporal punishment, imprisonment, or death, simply because of their sexual orientation. These hateful acts are further galvanized by such slogans as “to be homosexual is un-African.”

With this anthology, we reject this slogan and all acts of aggression against members of LGBT communities in Africa. “We maintain that to be homosexual is African.”

We are calling for poems by gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals living in Africa and in the Diaspora. The poems may focus on loss, childhood, violence, food, discrimination, love, fruits, disease, migration, strife, etc. In other words, poems on any topic are welcome – and in any form. The only requirement is that each poem must be of high merit.

We prefer unpublished poems. Poems can be in any language; however, translations have to be provided in English. If original poems are accepted, they will be published alongside the translations. If a translator is used, the author should indicate how credit should be acknowledged. Please submit no more than five poems.

Send email submissions to Abayomi Animashaun ([email protected]) by January 20, 2013. Please include “Poetry Submission” in the subject line.