We’re so excited to finally share that the Queer & Feminist Poetry Anthology Vol. II: Queer Joy & Gender Euphoria Edition is officially out in the world.
This bilingual anthology, in Dutch and English, brings together the voices of 51 LGBTQ+ poets and spoken word artists based in the Netherlands, celebrating queer joy, gender euphoria, pleasure, softness, pride, and the freedom of becoming.
Over the past months, we’ve had the privilege of reading, editing, dreaming, and building this collection together with an incredible community of writers. What began as an open call became something much bigger: a gathering of voices that remind us of the many ways queer life flourishes.
And now, this book belongs to all of us.
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A Love Letter to Queer Existence
When we opened submissions for this edition, we asked writers to reflect on queer joy and gender euphoria. Not because joy is easy. But because joy matters.
Too often, queer stories are expected to center pain, struggle, or survival. While those experiences are real and important, they are not the whole story.
Queer life is also friendship. It is pleasure. It is dancing in kitchens. It is finding language for yourself. It is tenderness. It is desire. It is community. It is becoming.
The poems in this anthology remind us that joy can be radical. That softness can be powerful. That imagining ourselves beyond limitation is an act of resistance.
Together, these writers offer visions of queer life that are expansive, intimate, playful, vulnerable, and deeply alive.
A Community of 51 Queer Voices
This anthology exists because of the incredible poets who trusted us with their words.
Featured poets include:
AC Lans, Alex River K, Carmen José, Chella Chella, Dominic Pradana, Eddy Tilro, Elfie Muis, Elias Bučko, Elisa, Evy, Hawun, Jiye, Jowi Len, Kevin-Ahn Kwang Soo-Groen, La Lau, Layla Silbernberg, Leonie de Waal, Leroy Kxng, Lily Clarisa, Lionel Deul, Ludwika, Luis Bracamontes, Luka Prelas, Luke Worthy, M ALBERTO, Maaike van Steenis, Martijn Orlando, Mikayla Vieira Ribeiro, Mir, Moni Zwitserloot, Nadia Buiter, Nicchelle Buyne, Nim, Nine de Jonge, O.L. Trethyn, Parel Joy, Paula Breuning, Pei Kuo, sam(uēl), Sascha Sylbing, Sofia M., Suus Duk, Tal, Tessa van Rens, Titus Maria Williams, Tuaca Kelly, Valentijn Hamel, Valentine Roze, Vlinder Verouden, and willow sommer.
The anthology also features a special contribution by Hendri Yulius Wijaya, Poet in Residence at Poetry International Festival 2026.
To every poet who submitted work, thank you. To every poet featured in these pages, thank you for helping create this beautiful archive of queer imagination.
Celebrating the Launch Together
The official launch of the anthology took during Poetry International Festival Rotterdam 2026.
Seeing so many poets, readers, friends, and community members come together to celebrate this project was a powerful reminder of why this work matters. The anthology is more than a collection of poems. It is a testament to what becomes possible when queer people are given space to tell their stories on their own terms. Thank you to everyone who joined us, shared the moment, and helped bring this book into the world.
More events to present and share the book will come this Summer 2026. Stay tuned!
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About Unwanted Words
The Queer & Feminist Poetry Anthology is published by Stichting Unwanted Words Project, an award-winning, community-driven platform dedicated to uplifting queer, feminist, and marginalized voices through poetry, storytelling, events, and artistic collaborations.
At its heart, Unwanted Words is about creating space. Space for emerging writers. Space for stories that are often overlooked. Space to imagine different futures together.
This anthology is one part of that ongoing work.
Thank You
This project was brought to life by an incredible team of people.
Editorial Team
- Luis Bracamontes
- Leonie de Waal
- Tuaca Kelly
Editorial Design
- Mendi Nuchteren
With the generous support of the Cultuurfonds.
And most importantly, thank you to the poets, readers, volunteers, partners, friends, and community members who continue to make Unwanted Words possible.
We hope these poems make you laugh, cry, dream, remember, and imagine.
Most of all, we hope they bring you joy. 💖
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