The first in a fresh series of poetry anthologies from Young Identity at HOME.
Manchester’s finest professional youth poetry collective, Young Identity, are set to debut the first volume of their new anthology series that focuses on the unapologetic and innovative expressions of the poets that comprise the collective.
This talented group consists of writers from all walks of life – writers from African, Caribbean, and Asian diaspora; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and otherwise queer writers; working class writers; disabled and neurodiverse writers; young writers that are radical, revolutionary, and as Young Identity founder and director Shirley May affectionately states: ‘at risk of excellence’.
The title of the series, No Disclaimers, is pulled straight from the weekly workshops in which these fresh new voices craft raw and honest free verse into emotionally charged poetry for both the page and the stage. Should any writer attempt to downplay their writing, the room shouts back: “No disclaimers!” It is mantra, reminder, and responsibility in equal parts.
This is a theme across the poems selected for the collection: these fresh minds show us that “young” is not a dirty word, and that “identity” is not a demographic or a marketing gimmick, but something to be celebrated. Words like BAME and Queer are a pathway to innovative expressions and interpretations of the world, through unique turns of phrase and manipulations of language you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else. This is what sets Young Identity apart as an organisation.
Join writers Frankie Blaus, Billie Meredith, Nasima Begum, Roma Havers, Kayleigh Jayshree Hicks and Joel Cordingley to celebrate the launch of this ground-breaking anthology. There will be readings, an opportunity to purchase the book and signings.