Safer Spaces at Unwanted Words

At Unwanted Words, we believe that art and expression thrive in environments where people feel seen, heard, and respected. This is why we work towards creating safer spaces—not safe spaces, because absolute safety is impossible. People carry different identities, histories, and potential triggers, and we acknowledge that no space can guarantee complete comfort for everyone. Instead, we commit to co-creating the safest possible spaces in collaboration with our artists, partners, and audience members.

What We Mean by Safer Spaces

A safer space is an intentional environment where people, especially those from historically marginalized communities, can share, create, and exist with minimized harm. It is a space that actively challenges racism, queerphobia, transphobia, sexism, ableism, classism, xenophobia, and other forms of oppression. It’s a place where we hold ourselves and each other accountable while recognizing that mistakes and discomfort can be part of the process.

Intersectionality at the Core

Our approach to safer spaces is deeply intersectional. We understand that people do not experience oppression in a single, isolated way—our identities are layered, and so are the ways we move through the world. A Black trans poet, a disabled queer refugee, or a neurodivergent artist of color each navigate different, overlapping systems of privilege and oppression. We strive to create spaces that recognize and honor these complexities, rather than forcing people to shrink or compartmentalize their experiences.

A Collective Responsibility

Safer spaces are never created by one entity alone—they are a co-creation between:

🟣 Our Organization: We implement clear values, guidelines, and proactive measures to set the foundation for safer environments.

🟣 Our Artists: The voices of poets, performers, and creatives shape the atmosphere of our events. We work closely with them to ensure their work is presented in a space where they feel supported.

🟣 Our Partners & Venues: We collaborate with like-minded organizations and venues that share our commitment to inclusion and accessibility. This includes considerations like wheelchair access, gender-neutral bathrooms, and transparent codes of conduct.

🟣 Our Audience: Everyone who enters our spaces contributes to their energy and safety. We encourage active listening, respect for boundaries, and an openness to learning and unlearning.

How We Strive to Improve

We acknowledge that we won’t always get it right. Each event, project, and collaboration is an opportunity to learn, adapt, and do better. Feedback is crucial to us—if something feels off, we want to hear about it. We hold space for critique and reflection because safer spaces are a living, evolving practice, not a static achievement.

Our Commitments

✅ We communicate clear guidelines and expectations before and during events.
✅ We listen to concerns and take them seriously, offering support when harm occurs.
✅ We prioritize accessibility and transparency in how we structure our spaces.
✅ We continually educate ourselves and invite dialogue on what safer spaces mean in practice.

Let’s Build It Together

A safer space isn’t just a set of rules—it’s an ongoing act of care, community, and courage. At Unwanted Words, we don’t aim for perfection; we aim for accountability, adaptability, and intentionality.

Join us in creating a space where words, bodies, and identities are honored. Let’s hold space for each other in all our complexities, and let’s build something truly meaningful—together.