Unwanted Words is excited to welcome you to a new season of Queer Poetry Nights in Rotterdam. From January through June 2026, we return with monthly open mic evenings dedicated to queer voices, stories, and collective expression.
Each Queer Poetry Night is a moment to gather, listen, and share in a space rooted in care, creativity, and community. Whether you are an experienced performer or stepping on stage for the very first time, you are warmly invited to take part.
Queer Poetry Nights are free, community-centered open mic events that uplift LGBTQIA+ poets, spoken word artists, storytellers, and performers. The evenings celebrate the full diversity of queer experiences and expressions, creating space for poetry, spoken word, and occasionally music or performance art.
Our events are designed as safer spaces where authenticity is encouraged and where audiences and performers meet each other with openness and respect.
Sign-ups for the open mic open shortly before each event. Registration links will be shared via our website and social media channels. Performance spots are limited and tend to fill up quickly, so we recommend registering early if you would like to perform.
At Unwanted Words, we are committed to building safer spaces for our LGBTQIA+ community and for those still exploring their identities. Our events are guided by principles of consent, respect, and accountability.
In short:
Performers are expected to align with our anti-discrimination values. If your work touches on potentially triggering topics such as abuse, racism, or violence, we ask that you let us know in advance so appropriate content warnings can be shared.