For this two-day intensive, let’s return to the work of our queer and trans ancestors—the writers, creators, activists, fighters—for guidance in turning our own rage into writing inspiration. Rage? Oh, hell yeah. Channeling anger into art has long been part of our LGBTQIAP+ heritage. Look at these art forms: murals, ballroom, drag, protests, zines, novels, memoirs, poetry, plays, movies, music, dance choreography, ACT-UP die-ins… and so, so many more.
As Sarah Thankam Mathews wrote in her Substack Thot Pudding: “Anger is better, always, than despair. Take in what they’re doing, what it means. Tell yourself you want to live past this. Live to see their downfall…".
Together, we’ll explore our creative lineages, turning to writers like Tommy Pico, Carmen Maria Machado, Tourmaline, Chelsea T. Hicks, ALOK, Susan Stryker, Audre Lorde, James Baldwin, Leslie Feinberg, and more to explore how they have transformed their rage into beauty. We’ll also discuss pragmatic “how to” suggestions for using anger to create art rather than suppressing it while acknowledging how race impacts who “gets” to be angry. And, of course, we will write. Writers of all genres are encouraged to join this class!
This intensive is part of the 2026 Queer Creatives Fest. Queer Creatives Fest is open to writers of all genres and creatives of all types who identify as members of LGBTQIA+ communities. We also welcome folks who are questioning their gender or sexual orientation and those who are in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ communities. Our intention is to center LGBTQIA+ people at the Fest.
