Let Your Words Walk the Steps of City Hall: Poetry Call Out for 2SLGBTQI+ Voices

Pride in Every Step, Love in Every Action poem will be displayed on front steps of City Hall

All emerging, student and established 2SLGBTQI+ poets living in Niagara Region are invited to submit a short poem to the inaugural City of St. Catharines Poetry Call Out, titled Pride in Every Step, Love in Every Action.

The theme asks poets to focus on the transformative power of action, language, love, and acceptance. The selected poem will reflect on small acts of allyship or personal reflections of how love and pride impact individuals and communities. The poem will be printed on vinyl and installed on the front steps of St. Catharines City Hall from May through September 2025.

“We are excited to invite for the first time local 2SLGBTQI+ voices to submit their writing in our inaugural poetry call out,” Culture Coordinator Olivia Hope said. “2SLGBTQI+ poets are being asked in their writing to emphasize the power of love and pride, not only in celebration, but in the everyday actions and words we use to show allyship and solidarity.”

Submissions must be original, unpublished poems of seven or fewer lines, or 25 words or less. A maximum of three poems will be considered per poet. There are no costs associated with entry. Selected poet will be compensated $350.

The submission deadline is Friday, May 16, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.

For more information, visit stcatharines.ca/CalltoArtists.

The City Hall poetry program is coordinated through the Cultural Services Office at the City’s Community, Recreation and Culture Services department.