Language is a Queer Thing, a cross-border spoken word poetry programme, was an outcome of a four-year long partnership between VERVE Poetry and The Queer Muslim Project, that brought together queer poets from India and the UK to collaborate, develop new work, and share their voices with international audiences. Supported by the British Council and BBC Contains Strong Language, the programme created dedicated spaces for queer, trans, and non-binary poets to explore themes of identity, language, faith, and belonging through spoken word. Through mentorship, residencies, ensemble workshops, and public performances, the initiative supported artists working across multiple languages and cultural traditions.
The programme grew from a single collaboration into a sustained creative network spanning festivals, universities, and cultural institutions across India and the UK. Over four editions, it supported eighteen poets, generated new collaborative work, and brought queer spoken word to diverse audiences through performances, publications, and broadcast platforms. By combining artistic development with high-visibility stages and cross-border exchange, Language is a Queer Thing strengthened professional pathways for emerging queer poets while contributing to broader conversations about representation, cultural exchange, and the role of queer storytelling in contemporary cultural life.