Poeting Queer History

Celebrate the rich tapestry LGBTQ+ experiences through the power of poetry!

Welcome to ‘Poeting Queer History’, where we celebrate the rich tapestry of LGBTQ+ experiences through the power of poetry. In a world where our voices may be marginalised, here they will find fertile ground to flourish. It’s time for us to reclaim our narratives, to speak our truths with pride and passion. Showcasing the theme of Queer history (in Amsterdam) in its broadest form. For the fourth edition, we will discuss the work of American poet, Emily Dickinson.

Together with Wilbert Artist O.L. Trethyn Artist Daddy Dion Artist Thomas Puvill Artist Leonie de Waal Writer, poet and student

The evening will kick off with a short lecture by a queer historian, followed by four spoken word poetry performances highlighting the queer history of Amsterdam. We’ll wrap up with a lively “Queer & Answer” session featuring our performers and the historian. Produced and hosted by Tuaca Kelly, this night invites everyone from all sexualities, backgrounds, gender and affiliations with poetry or history to enjoy a night of community.

Origin story

Late one night after an open mic under in the center of Amsterdam under a canopy of men’s neck ties collected by the late Bet van Beeren (1902-1967), Leonie de Waal and Tuaca Kelly entered inspired chinwag about real life stuff, poetry and history. Clear they were on to something, a subsequent meeting gave birth to Poeting Queer History – a curated event featuring a historian, four spoken word artists and an engaging question and answer segment. Held in the movie theatre-style quieted and comfort of Pakhuis de Zwijger’s Studio room – this intimate evening draws audiences from beyond our city’s borders to travel through time and write history with us.

About the speakers

Wilbert likes words, lots of words. Preferably words that rhyme and have a metre. Dutch and English. He is currently working on a novel, a long poem and a cycle of shorter poems. Social Media will be joined as soon as he feels there is enough to write about. O.L. Trethyn is a speculative fiction writer and performer known for their blend of dry humour and dreamlike lyricism. Trethyn’s work threads mythic and magical elements into stories about memory, cruelty and femininity. Thomas Puvill is a local gay writer and performer with a fondness for the absurd, the taboo, and the broken. He works across storytelling, spoken word, and stand-up comedy, and has appeared in the 2023 short film Weglopers, available on Amazon Prime. Daddy Dion is a Dutch/Canadian Storyteller and Prospective Clown Mystic. He is Kink Positive, Enthusiastic Over Leather, and Unashamed. Leonie de Waal (she/they) is a writer, performer and theatre producer, currently based in Edinburgh. She is completing a Masters in Arts, Festival and Cultural management, where she is researching cultural rights on a neighbourhood level. Her academic and artistic practice led her to explore Scotland queer poetic past, and the spaces and traditions that continue to celebrate it.
In 2026 she is debuting at the Edinburgh Fringe with her solo show “Pass the salt”. Exploring dinner tables, (chosen) family, queer love and all kinds of belonging. Tuaca Kelly Hailing from multiple generations of Irish poets and musicians, Tuaca Kelly is an American poet, spoken word artist and songwriter, most known for her unique wordplay, uncanny improvisation, unpredictable humor, presence and ability to connect with the audience.