Poet Cyrée Jarelle Johnson and Outward producer Palace Shaw discuss the inherent queerness of poetry and romance. Topics include disabled approaches to sex, queer doppelganger dates, and advice for queer lovers. They explore different types of love portrayed in Johnson's books and the politics of desirability within the queer community. They also touch on disability sexuality and the power of eroticism. The episode wraps up with a mention of Johnson's new book and upcoming polyamory advice.
Poetry has inherent queerness, challenging societal norms and expectations of love.
The power of love within communities is emphasized, highlighting the significance of trust, understanding, and support.
Deep dives
The Poetry of Queer Love
The podcast episode explores the significance of poetry in expressing and celebrating queer love. The host interviews Sirae Jarrell Johnson, a poet and writer, who discusses the different kinds of love explored in their poetry collections. Johnson's poetry delves into themes of erotic love, the complexities of familial love, and the challenges faced by marginalized communities in experiencing love. The conversation also highlights the inherently queer nature of poetry and its ability to challenge societal norms and expectations. Additionally, the episode touches on the power of eroticism in a political context and the importance of community in redefining and exploring love.
The Erotic Poem 'Doppelganger'
The podcast features an interview with poet Sirae Jarrell Johnson, who reads and discusses their erotic poem titled 'Doppelganger.' The poem explores the desire for intimate connection and the complexities of seeking love with another person. Johnson reflects on the fear of being truly seen in a relationship, especially within the context of societal expectations and beauty standards. The poem also challenges the notion of queerness by questioning preconceived notions of love, gender, and societal norms. Overall, 'Doppelganger' focuses on the vulnerability and intensity of love and the longing for genuine connection.
The Role of Poetry in Challenging Love
The podcast episode delves into the role of poetry in challenging conventional ideas of love. The host discusses literature that has challenged their own understanding of love, including works by Sharon Bridgforth and Toni Morrison. These authors explore the complexities, imperfections, and nontraditional aspects of love through their powerful writing. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of community in learning and relearning about love, as well as the need to embrace imperfections and compassion in relationships. The episode encourages listeners to continue exploring and celebrating love in all its forms.
The Power of Love and Community
The podcast episode highlights the power of love within communities. It features an interview with poet Sirae Jarrell Johnson, who shares their experiences of hosting a Watch Night party that brings together black queer and trans individuals. The poem titled 'Old Familiar' captures the essence of community and the enduring nature of love in the face of imperfections. The episode emphasizes the significance of trust, understanding, and support within communities to create spaces of love and acceptance. It encourages listeners to cherish and nurture their connections with others, finding love beyond traditional romantic relationships.
This Valentine’s Day Poet Cyrée Jarelle Johnson is joined by Outward producer Palace Shaw to share poems and chat about the inherent queerness of poetry and romance. They get into disabled approaches to sex, the trope of the queer doppelganger date, and give some advice to all the queer lovers out there.