Our Creativity Fuels Action

Author: Sue Landers

March 27, 2020

Hi all,

I hope each of you keeping safe and being kind to yourself during this harrowing time. Many in our literary community have already been affected by the pandemic—physically, economically, and emotionally. While the full impact of COVID-19 remains unknown, it’s clear that Lambda Literary’s mission to support and advocate for LGBTQ writers has never been more necessary. This is not the first time we have faced extraordinary adversity, and it’s not the first time that literature will help us navigate difficult terrain. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about Audre Lorde’s essay “Poetry is Not a Luxury,” in which she wrote:

[Poetry] forms the quality of the light within which we predicate our hopes and dreams toward survival and change,first made into language, then into idea,then into more tangible action.

We are already seeing how our creativity fuels action. For instance, authors giving virtual readings from quarantine, teachers bringing queer writers into classrooms via Zoom, the creation of mutual aid networks, and successful advocacy for increased arts funding. In the weeks ahead, we will be amplifying these and other resources that our community desperately needs right now. We will also share details on our reimagined Lambda Literary Awards. Please know that Lambda’s commitment to LGBTQ literature and its creators is unwavering, which is why I hope that, if you are in a position to do so, you consider making a donation today.

Thank you,