Freedom Rhymers Poetry Contest & Open Mic: LGBTQ+ Edition

October is LGBTQ+ History Month! Speak your truth. Share your rhythm. Celebrate our collective journey.

LGBTQ+ History Month is a time to honor the trailblazers, remember our shared roots, and amplify the living histories being written today. Welcome to an empowering celebration of voice, identity, and community! This LGBTQ+ History Month, we are lifting up and centering LGBTQIA+ artists and storytellers.

The Freedom Rhymers Poetry Contest & Open Mic: LGBTQ+ Edition is a warm, electric, and affirming space designed for raw talent, powerful messages, and unapologetic self-expression. Whether you are a seasoned spoken-word artist ready to compete, a bedroom poet stepping onto the stage for the first time, or an enthusiastic lover of words ready to snap from the audience—you belong here.

Come amplify queer history, honor our shared stories, and build community through the power of the spoken word.

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About the Contest

There are five (5) Freedom Rhymer contestant slots. Each Freedom Rhymer will have five (5) minutes to share their original piece(s) centering LGBTQ+ stories, heritage, identity, and truth.

About the Open Mic

After Freedom Rhymers perform, audience members will have the opportunity to share on the open mic. Open mic pieces can be one to two minutes long, and do not have to be the performer's original work, though they should fall in line with the theme.

[Note: Time and space is limited to five (5) Freedom Rhymer Contestants and approximately ten (10) open mic performers. Freedom Rhymer Contestants MUST be in person. Contest tickets and open mic ️slots are both on first-come basis. There is no prize for open mic performers.]

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Freedom Rhymer Rules:

• There is room for 5 poets to grace the mic.

• Contestants are on a first-come, first-serve basis (Please select the "Freedom Rhymer Ticket" at checkout to secure your spot as a contestant).

• Contestants must attend the event in person.

• Contestants must be at least 18 years old.

• Each poet will have five minutes to perform as many pieces as they like (so long as it fits within the time allotted).

• Freedom Rhymer contestants must perform their own original work.

• Pieces must be related to LGBTQ+ identities, heritage, experiences, etc

• Audience members will vote for their favorites after all five contestants have performed.

• Contestants will be judged on Content, Relevance, Presence & Delivery, Dramatic Appropriateness and Overall Performance.

• Votes will determine the first ($100), second ($50), and third ($25) place winners. All contestants will receive a free pair of CHULO designer underwear.

• Contestants will retain all copyright.

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Event Sponsor: CHULO Underwear

CHULO is the charitable and cultural clothing line featuring men's underwear, unisex tees and hoodies, and other gear that puts the "fun" in fundraising. Visit their website https://www.chulounderwear.nyc/

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Event Sponsor: Dread 2B Different

Dread 2B Different is an independent, Black-owned conscious streetwear brand. The apparel line features thought-provoking graphic tees, hoodies, collections, and statement gear focusing on cultural awareness, social justice, and knowledge of self. Visit their website https://dread2bdifferent.store/

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FREEDOM RHYMER PRIDE HOST

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RADI she/her

RADI is an artist, writer, and teacher specializing in spoken word poetry, performance art and workshop facilitation. Her work covers topics such as Civil rights, body/sex positivity, colorism, sexism & more, all while reflecting her real life experiences as a plus size Lesbian Black Woman. Competing for 10 years, RADI has had the honor of representing five National poetry teams, three of which are in her home state of New Jersey. She has traveled all over the world performing in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Georgia, Florida, North and South Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky, Illinois, Texas, Colorado, California, the beautiful island of Antigua and many more

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FREEDOM RHYMER CONTESTANTS

(To be Announced)

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