Gay Poems for Red States

Gay Poems for Red States

From Voices of Solidarity Podcast by LGBTQIA+ Artists & Activists

September 2, 2025 · 58 min

About this episode

The episode features an interview with Willie Edward Taylor Carter, Jr., who discusses his experiences as a teacher and his book 'Gay Poems for Red States'.

OUR PRIDE Shorts & Arts Fest partner organization, the international Charter for Compassion , featured an interview with author Willie Edward Taylor Carter, Jr. in their Global Reads series hosted by Felipe Zurita Quintana. Months after being named 2022 Kentucky Teacher of the Year , Willie Edward Taylor Carver Jr. made a heartbreaking choice—he walked away from the classroom. I can’t stop thinking about his story. Willie spent more than a decade teaching high school English, giving everything he had to his students. But the same courage that made him a great teacher also made him a target. Early in his career, an administrator told him flat-out: “Don’t talk about being gay. No one will protect you—including me.” For a while, a new administration gave him some breathing room. But eventually, that first warning came true. School officials looked the other way as LGBTQ+ students were harassed. They looked the other way when Willie himself was harassed. He testified before Congress to shine a light on what’s happening in our schools , but by then the damage was done. He loved teaching—but no one should have to teach under threat just for being who they are. Willie’s response? He…

People in this episode

Guest: Willie Edward Taylor Carter, Jr.

Topics covered

  • LGBTQIA+
  • education
  • harassment
  • poetry

Keywords

  • Kentucky Teacher of the Year
  • Congress testimony
  • LGBTQ+ rights

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Gay Poems for Red States

Books & works: Global Reads, Gay Poems for Red States

Places: Kentucky, Appalachia

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