Speaking in Queer Tongues is a poetry workshop that takes seriously the idea that queer vernacular is not just slang or subculture. It is political in its own grammar and expressions – an open-ended space for reclaiming, resisting, and celebrating what has been imposed on us, often without our consent. From seizing back derogatory terms, slurs, and gay hook-up slang to embracing popular local queer language and Beyonce’s lyrics, this workshop insists on the endless possibilities that emerge when meanings are subverted, linguistic conformity is flirted with, and the pressure to translate everything into English is met with a suggestive wink. 

In this workshop, we will read and write in whatever languages and expressions we feel most comfortable and honest – English, Dutch, Bahasa Indonesia, emojis, stickers, body language, sign language, hybrid forms, or even untranslatable words. Come and play with whatever tongue you have. If you can stick out your tongue at clubs or use it creatively in other random places 👄💦 , now is the perfect time to play with it even more.

Hendri Yulius Wijaya is an Indonesian poet by mistake. He has never studied literary theory or poetry writing, but began writing and experimenting with poems during the COVID pandemic to let his mind wander beyond the lockdown, drawing on his failed Grindr dates, porn he loved, books he read, and snippets from Indonesian queer history. “Stonewall Tak Mampir di Atlantis” is his debut full-length poetry collection and it is currently being translated into English. He’s this year’s Poet in Residence of the Poetry International Festival.

Please register no later than May 15th via the registration form. From all applications, we will select a maximum of twelve participants.

Date: Sunday May 31st 2026
Time: 14:30 – 17:00
Location: The Writer’s Guide: Gouvernestraat 87B
Language: English

Tickets:
• Discount (for anyone under the age of 25, students and people with a low income): € 15,-
• Standard (for anyone who doesn’t fit into the categories above): € 25,-
• Good Samaritan (for anyone who wants to give a little extra support to The Writer’s Guide): € 30,-

Check out our other workshops.