Trudy Howson is the UK’s inaugural L.G.B.T. Poet Laureate. In response to this appointment, she writes and performs poetry that celebrates internationally recognized L.G.B.T. days and responds to events that impact on the community.
Her poetry illuminates and explores the community’s diverse landscape, champions their rights and needs, and encourages acceptance and understanding.
Her poetry has been featured in The Telegraph, The Times and The London Review, as well as various other magazines and publications.
Turdy says “I came to London to go to drama school as an actress. But I became very disillusioned. And I started writing, became very politically active in the women’s liberation movement and was writing poetry generally joined to the first pride and all sorts of really thrilling stuff.”
Challenges we’re facing
Trudy says there are three main areas she now works on. “Number one is about fighting hate crime. And number two is working with education. Because, let’s face it, no one’s born prejudiced or racist. We learn it. We learn in school, we learn in church, we learn it from our family, you know.
“And the third one is supporting the NHS, which I think is the jewel in our crown, the crown of our kingdom and very under-appreciated. So education is key.
“You know, I think a lot of prejudice is based just on ignorance and fear. And, you know, it’s quite useful that I look like such a sort of conventional person because I don’t look like completely off the wall. And so I look very reassuring and I am very reassuring. But, I’m also a deeply sort of controversial edge. And so I’m able to reassure people to, I think, be a bit more open minded without terrifying them.
Advice for younger generations
Trudy says “my advice would be, just go for it. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do it because you can do it. Just go for it and keep on going for it.
“And don’t give up hope. You know, just hang on to your hope, because actually that is the way forward. And people who let go of hope can often be very bitter and it’s really not attractive. It’s not a good look and it makes them very unhappy.
The other one is, Don’t be afraid. Yeah. You know, scary things happens. But if you don’t do stuff, even scary things will happen. And actually just step, step forwards in whatever way you can. Even if it’s a small thing you do praise yourself for doing it. Just tell yourself that was really great. I did that because, you know, we are a society that is very good at criticism…
“So, you know, don’t be afraid of failure and be open to love because that just makes, you know, love and fun. So this is my this my motto for a happy life.”
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HeadlineTrudy Howson on becoming the UK’s inaugural LGBTQ+ Poet Laureate
Short HeadlineTrudy Howson: the UK's first LGBTQ+ Poet Laureate
StandfirstHer poetry illuminates the community’s diverse landscape, champions rights, and encourages acceptance.
Trudy Howson is the UK’s inaugural L.G.B.T. Poet Laureate. In response to this appointment, she writes and performs poetry that celebrates internationally recognized L.G.B.T. days and responds to events that impact on the community.
Her poetry illuminates and explores the community’s diverse landscape, champions their rights and needs, and encourages acceptance and understanding.
Her poetry has been featured in The Telegraph, The Times and The London Review, as well as various other magazines and publications.
Turdy says “I came to London to go to drama school as an actress. But I became very disillusioned. And I started writing, became very politically active in the women’s liberation movement and was writing poetry generally joined to the first pride and all sorts of really thrilling stuff.”
Challenges we’re facing
Trudy says there are three main areas she now works on. “Number one is about fighting hate crime. And number two is working with education. Because, let’s face it, no one’s born prejudiced or racist. We learn it. We learn in school, we learn in church, we learn it from our family, you know.
“And the third one is supporting the NHS, which I think is the jewel in our crown, the crown of our kingdom and very under-appreciated. So education is key.
“You know, I think a lot of prejudice is based just on ignorance and fear. And, you know, it’s quite useful that I look like such a sort of conventional person because I don’t look like completely off the wall. And so I look very reassuring and I am very reassuring. But, I’m also a deeply sort of controversial edge. And so I’m able to reassure people to, I think, be a bit more open minded without terrifying them.
Advice for younger generations
Trudy says “my advice would be, just go for it. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do it because you can do it. Just go for it and keep on going for it.
“And don’t give up hope. You know, just hang on to your hope, because actually that is the way forward. And people who let go of hope can often be very bitter and it’s really not attractive. It’s not a good look and it makes them very unhappy.
The other one is, Don’t be afraid. Yeah. You know, scary things happens. But if you don’t do stuff, even scary things will happen. And actually just step, step forwards in whatever way you can. Even if it’s a small thing you do praise yourself for doing it. Just tell yourself that was really great. I did that because, you know, we are a society that is very good at criticism…
“So, you know, don’t be afraid of failure and be open to love because that just makes, you know, love and fun. So this is my this my motto for a happy life.”
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