Class

(Re)Claiming Our Queer and Trans Bodies Through Writing

“With joy, we breach the haze of suffering that denies us creativity and literature. Joy is art is an ethics of resistance.” ― Billy-Ray Belcourt, A History of My Brief Body

As attacks on LGBTQIAP+ populations grow at an alarming rate—with trans people of all ages being especially targeted—it can be daunting to put our own bodies on the page. This class is about overcoming the shame and fear that makes it difficult to fully embody our characters and ourselves on the page.

In this class, we’ll read excerpts of works by LGBTQIAP+ writers across a range of genres and discuss how we can turn their techniques into tools for our own writing. Through generative writing prompts, we’ll try these new ways of writing about our bodies and share/discuss them in class. Through our writing together, we’ll also dismantle the limitations the “cishet gaze” can place on queer and trans writing.

By the end of our six weeks together, writers will have a set of writing tools to (re)claim our queer/trans bodies on the page; the start of new pieces; and a supportive community committed to uplifting our work together. All genres of writing welcome.

There is no class July 4.​

Instructions for Accessing This Online Class

In order to access live class meetings, you must have the Zoom application downloaded to your computer. You will also need a WiFi/Internet connection throughout the duration of your scheduled meeting and a computer with audio and video capability. The information to join your Zoom classroom will be provided in your confirmation email upon registration. Please check spam folders if you do not see this email upon registration. For more information on how to use Zoom, please see our training manual here.

Some classes use a supplemental Google Classroom page. Should your teaching artist use Google Classroom, you will be invited to join the classroom via email at least 24 hours in advance of your class (check spam folders if you are not seeing this invitation). Please note that Google Classroom requires a Gmail address to access the Classroom. If you do not have a Gmail account, the email invitation will be sent to the email address we have on file and will prompt you to create a free account or enter an existing account to join the classroom. If we are unable to send an email invitation to your non-gmail account, you will be contacted by a staff member to provide a Gmail address. If you do not have a Gmail account, you can create a free account here. Should you have concerns about this, please contact a Loft staff member at edu@loft.org or 612-379-8999. For more information on how to use Google Classroom, please see our training manual here.