"The Poet's Corner..."

A Love Letter To Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual

and Trans People Living In Russia

‘To LGBT Russia With Love’

'It might remind you that you are not alone, brothers and sisters your struggle is known'

Dean Atta

They create hate

To separate

And scapegoat us

Wherever we are

From Russia to Nigeria

The Kremlin

To the National Assembly

The law denies us equality

To be attacked

Or beaten in the street

Is a part of our reality

Even here in the UK

That has happened to me

Where there are laws to protect

Doesn't make us free to express

Who we were born to be

Whether you are L, G, B or T

We are a community, by necessity

When any one of us is persecuted

We should all take it personally

We are a family

Dysfunctional like all the rest

Not the worst and not the best

Not cursed and not blessed

Just people

Who deserve to be equal

Because we all are

Just people

Teachers, doctors, engineers

Athletes, actors, not puffs and queers

Not trannies, not faggots, not dykes

Just human beings

With human rights

If I say your country

Would be poorer without you

And your life

Would be richer elsewhere

Is that fair?

Because if your country

Has your heart

Who am I to tell you to leave?

We have to be

The change we want to see

Not hide or run but overcome

And yes it's easy for me to say

Here in the UK

I don't have to live in fear everyday

So I wouldn't blame you

If you didn't stay

From Moscow, Russia to Kingston, JA

I don't know what I'd do

In your position

All I've done here is sign a petition

Write a poem and tweet about it

It's not enough

How will this keep you going

When it gets so tough

You consider taking your own life?

Looking at a gun, a rope or a knife

Like an exit sign

Out of this hell that you’re living in

What would my words mean then

When you’re so close to giving in?

Because of tireless hate

Abuse and rejection

This poem

Cannot provide you any protection

But it might

Remind you that you are not alone

Brothers and sisters

Your struggle is known

All over the world

This family is growing

With straight allies too

Until one day

Those you fight will stand by you.

Dean Atta is a gay poet, described as one of the ‘leading lights in London’s poetry scene.’

"Fear Eats the Soul"