We are well into Pride Month, and now is the perfect time to remind you that the poetry world is FULL of members (and allies) of the LGBTQ+ community.

And we’re going to talk about a few of them!

Some names you’ll know. Some may surprise you. Some may be completely new.

But all the poets below are members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Christopher “Kit” Marlow (1564-1593)

Christopher “Kit” Marlow was a poet, playwright, translator, possible spy, and homosexual man from the Elizabethan era. He’s one of the forefront names in English literature, and a controversial figure in nearly all other aspects of his life- which probably led to his unsolved murder in 1593.

And yet, his poetry remains unshakable. Read it HERE!

William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

It’s been speculated for AGES that Shakespeare was bisexual, but new research from leading scholars (specifically Shakespeare scholars Sir Stanley Wells and Dr. Paul Edmondson) may end the debate once and for all.

While putting together their book, All the Sonnets of Shakespeare (Cambridge University Press, 2020), they found that “The language of sexuality in some of the sonnets, which are definitely addressed to a male subject, leaves us in no doubt that Shakespeare was bisexual.” (Dr. Paul Edmondson)

So, dust off your Collected Works of Shakespeare and put those poems to good use!

Walt Whitman (1819-1892)

This one surprised me. Walt Whitman was a poet, journalist, essayist, and printer in 29th century America. Known as the “Father of Free Verse,” Whitman broke tradition (in more ways than one, apparently) and taught us how to write with more freedom than the traditional forms allowed.

He also had several male lovers throughout his life, and his Calamus poems are seen as a brave, early expression of gay identity. Read them through the link above, or check out his most famous work HERE.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

Oscar Wilde was a poet, playwright, author, and bisexual icon. He did have a wife and two sons, but he also had relationships with men- most notably, Lord Alfred Douglas. When their relationship became public, Wilde was arrested in 1895 for “gross indecency” and sent to jail for two years of hard labor. He was never the same after that, and his poem, De Profundis, illustrates his heartbreaking reality.

Now, his work remains some of the most controversial (and openly queer), and hundreds of people flock to his grave in Paris to kiss the statue as a gesture of support for his individuality and rebellion.

I was not one of them. I do, however, enjoy his Poems!

Gertrude Stein (1874-1946)

Gertrude Stein was a poet, playwright, novelist, modernist, and art collector. In fact, she and her brother, Leo, were among the first to collect works by the Cubists and other experimental painters of the period.

Born in Pennsylvania, Stein moved to Paris in 1903 and lived there for the rest of her life. Her salon became a famous meeting place for poets, authors, artists, critics, and other like-minded individuals of the time.

She quickly became a famous poet in her own right with her book Tender Buttons. However, her claim to literary fame came from her book, The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, which was actually an account of Stein’s life as seen through her long time romantic partner, Alice.

Gertrude Stein lived an interesting, very gay life, and you can learn more about it and her works HERE.

Victoria “Vita” Sackville-West (1892-1962)

Vita Sackville-West was a British poet, author, and garden designer. She produced several volumes of poetry in her lifetime and had notable connections to the Bloomsbury Group of writers- specifically novelist Virginia Woolf.

Virginia became Vita’s editor and publisher after their meeting in 1922, and their relationship quickly became romantic, despite their marriages. As Vita puts it: “I saw her head rising against the dark sky in a belt of stars, although it was a starless night.”

And if that’s not romantic, I don’t know what is! (Except, perhaps, some of Vita’s other poems, which you can find HERE!)

Audre Lorde (1934-1992)

Audre Lorde was a poet, civil rights activist, feminist, Black lesbian, professor, philosopher, and more. She fought for women and minorities from the very beginning, but didn’t accept her own awakening until she was in college. However, due to the rampant homophobia of the era, she ended up marrying Edwin Rollins, who was a white gay man. They had two kids and divorced in 1970.

As a poet, Audre explored themes of feminism, sexuality, civil rights, anti-war, the differences between groups of women, and the conflicting nature of the individual.

She was a powerful woman, lesbian icon, and originator of some pretty amazing quotes that have stuck with me. Her real treasure, however, are the poems she left behind-which you can read HERE!

Mary Oliver (1935-2019)

Mary Oliver was an American poet beloved for her use of accessible language and vivid images. She often professed a wonder of nature and used that to explore the human experience. Her poetry won numerous prized, including a Pulitzer, and she also wrote several poetry guides to help future poets find their footing.

In the late 1950s, she met acclaimed photographer Molly Malone Cook. The two became inseparable, and Molly was Mary’s partner for over 40 years. In their book, Our World, Oliver states that: “[Molly] instilled in me this deeper level of looking and working, of seeing through the heavenly visibles, to the heavenly invisibles.”

Now, her poetry and guides are taught in classes around the world, and you can find some of them HERE!

Bonus Poets to Consider:

Here are some more modern, living poets to follow and enjoy.

• Carol Ann Duffy
• Denice Frohman
• Danez Smith
• Michelle Tea
• Me! (I don’t talk about it much, but I am part of the community.)

Final thoughts.

These are just a few of the badass poet who’ve used their words to promote the LGBTQ+ community, even before it was a recognized movement. I found most of these names through this LGBTQNation Article, and the rest are from my own research.

Who are some of your favorite queer poets? Let me know in the comments!