Cultural defiance has maintained Queer identity, keeping alive a culture rich in creativity, zest, and courage. In today’s political and social environment, when LGBTQ rights and legitimacy are again under attack, Queer cultural defiance is a bulwark against forcing the community back into hiding.

On Sunday, May 20th, five acclaimed Queer writers—poets, playwrights and novelists—will celebrate Queer/Literary Defiance. Each will read a short passage from their work, followed by a discussion of the role of defiance in their writing; how it shapes it, informs it, gives it fire. This award-winning lineup of authors represents a diversity of social and cultural experience in the Queer community. As writers, they distill those experiences into art.

Featuring Ann Aptaker, Ella Boureau, JP Howard, Jee Leong Koh, and Trace Peterson.