Language is a Queer Thing: Workshop
Explore the emotional engine of your writing
Date: 19 September 2025
Time: 2–4 PM
Venue: Bradford City Library
What drives a poem, and what are we healing from? In this generative workshop, poet Parth Rahatekar invites participants to uncover the emotional core of their writing. Through prompts, reflection, and experimentation, you’ll explore your poem’s motive, its turning point, and the guiding question at its heart. Open to all writing levels, the session offers space to sharpen your practice with intention and clarity. Please bring something to write on. Suitable for ages 16+.
Language is a Queer Thing Showcase
With Megha Harish, Amani Saeed, Rachit Sharma, Mukahang Limbu, Parth Rahatekar & Kirran Shah
Date: 21 September 2025
Time: 12:30–2 PM
Venue: The Loading Bay
These poems take the forms of tango steps and sonatas, drawing us closer to spirit, faith, and the futures we dream of and can create together, with new ways of remembering and loving. Led by The Queer Muslim Project in partnership with Verve Poetry Festival, Language is a Queer Thing is supported by the British Council. This edition in Bradford celebrates 3 years of cross-cultural collaboration and queer poetry.
City Walk (Closed Event)
An architectural walk and heritage tour around Saltaire and surrounding nature
Date: 24 September 2025
Creative facilitator and writer Kirran Shah leads a guided walk through the World Heritage Site of Saltaire, blending architectural history with poetry. Participants will explore Salts Mill, stroll cobbled streets, and follow the Aire river, pausing for reflection and writing prompts inspired by the landscape. With its mix of history, art, and natural beauty, Saltaire becomes a living text for creativity. Comfortable shoes recommended.
The Hen-nah Party
Ever wanted the joy of a henna night without the stress, gender norms, or wedding drama?
26 September 2025
Time: 7–11 PM
Venue: Assembly, Bradford
Hosted by poet Amani Saeed, the Hennah Party reimagines the traditional henna night as a celebration of queer joy and community. Free from the pressures of weddings and family expectations, the evening unfolds at Bradford’s Common Space with live performances, dance, music, poetry, chaat, conversation—and, of course, henna.
Mixed Media Workshop
A mixed-media workshop on identity, inspired by 19th century textile labels
27 September 2025
Time: 11–1 PM
Venue: Equity Centre
Bangalore-based poet Megha Harish invites participants to explore “tikats” or textile labels, an unusual archive of UK–South Asia trade history. Often used as early branding, their imagery echoed anti-colonial sentiment while driving sales in the subcontinent. Using these labels as prompts, participants will create mixed-media responses (writing, collages, or drawings) that reflect their own layered identities. No prior experience required.
Waacking Workshop
How does movement help us connect with our inner rhythm?
27 September 2025
Time: 3-4 PM
Venue: Equity Centre
Poet and performer Mukahang Limbu leads a Waacking workshop rooted in the queer club culture of 1970s Los Angeles. Born as both self-expression and resistance, Waacking channels rhythm, pose, and improvisation. In this session, participants will learn its foundations while exploring how movement can reveal queerness, discomfort, and joy. Bring comfy clothes and an open spirit.
Poetry Walk
A poetic forest healing walk with nature and queer poetry as prompts
Date: 28 September 2025
Time: 11-1 PM
Venue: Bradford
“Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination,” writes Mary Oliver. In this poetic forest walk, Dillipoetry in collaboration with Bradford Equity invites participants to engage with nature and queer poetry as both mirror and guide. Through reflection, sensory awareness, and shared verse, the walk becomes a journey inward and outward—towards creativity, healing, and community.
