Representing LGBTQ+ Voices

Within the poem, “loving a woman who can only find her favorite gay bar once she’s drunk” by Sarah Morris, the reader gets to enjoy a different, refreshing topic that you don’t really get to see in the rest of Levitate Magazine: LGBTQ+ related writing. This poem is a bold topic that is written through a consistent, refreshing narrative where every word paints a picture to the reader.

Something to admire about this poem is the relatability one may get when reading this poem: “that was before your parents knew you were a fuckin’ queer and i was still allowed in their house.” There are many LGBTQ+ youth who could read this poem and feel like they connect with it since there are not as many LGBTQ+ writers out there. I think it would mean a lot for people to see representation among young writers in Levitate Magazine. Readers would connect to this piece more if it were to be relatable to them. The topic is being written about a simple diction, nothing too complex, just straight to the point and aims to be understood as best as possible. The writer seems to do this because she wants the reader to focus on the story more than anything. Sarah Morris boldly writes, “you remember that night in the philly parking lot by that club that stays open till dawn or maybe you don’t. you were drunk and ready to dance.“

The author automatically starts the piece with a set location, and an even more zoomed-in area. An example of the piece zooming in more can be shown in the lines, “this ain’t no gay joint is it?..that was before your parents know you were a fuckin’ queer and i was still allowed in their house.” and “i drove you home that night—morning, almost.” This is a closer, zoomed-in look that goes from a bar to this other character’s home. This is really beneficial because the reader already gets to know where they are on the page, and from that point, the reader moves with the piece through its consistency of a constant steadily moving narrative. This is a steady pace where every couple lines the setting changes along with the story. It’s steady and not abrupt. As for the diction, it’s simple, for example, “you were drunk and ready to dance.“ It’s straightforward to understand because there’s no complicated diction being used in the piece. This is extremely helpful because our readers can understand what’s happening in an easier way; it seems less overwhelming. Overall, this poem touches on a subject that many people can resonate with as LGBTQ+ members. It’s simple to understand through the non-complicated diction and its straight to the point with It’s ideas presented.

My name is Luisa Bloom. I am one of the co-editors in chief, as well as a poetry editor for Levitate Magazine. I find the most important part of a poem to be its use of diction.