The Big Queer Poetry Class Winter 2026
In this workshop we will read and write all the brilliance and beauty of what we have survived and what we are building. Using prompts, free-writes, the magnificent muck of our lives, and the full wing-span of our imaginations, we will create new poems and bring them to life. Be prepared to dig deep. In our writing, we will make space for all the fierce, radiant, sexy, disastrous, sacred and profane facets of our truths as queer and gender-fabulous folks navigating a mad mad world. Let this class be your permission to play, work, and risk.
This 5 week online intensive will focus on helping writers of all levels generate new work, build community, explore identity, and craft gorgeous poems. Each week we'll explore a variety of juicy writing prompts. We'll read numerous queer, trans, and gender-expansive poets, with particular attention to QTBIPOC and/or disabled writers. Classes will be held live over Zoom with homework between sessions. The Zoom class format will include time for free writing, peer workshopping in breakout rooms, fishbowl-format workshopping with the instructor, and Q&A. Recordings will be available if you miss a class. Each student will receive detailed written feedback from the instructor at least once per course.
The Nitty Gritty:
When:
- Classes will be held for 2 hours on Thursdays at 9am pacific/10am mountain/12pm eastern time.
- Class dates: 5 Thursdays, January 15 - February 12, 2026.
Where:
- Live classes will be held on Zoom. Students will have access to a private facebook group, and assignments and feedback will be delivered on an online learning platform.
How Much:
- The full course fee is $200. If you can support another student, please purchase a $250 spot. If finances are challenging right now, a few sliding scale slots at $150 are available. If you would like to apply for a more reduced course fee, or would like to subsidize a scholarship space for another student, please email createdbyjacks@gmail.com.
What Jacks's students have to say:
“The big queer poetry class I took with Jacks is everything that I want from a writing class/community of that name (or, truly, any name). The course was full of the ability to show up exactly as I was, at any given point, really interesting prompts and exercises, and discussions and feedback on one another's work that helped dive deep into poetry (and, through such, personally therapeutic work!). I would highly recommend the class to anyone with or without any experience writing poetry, who is interested in learning ways to express themselves or hone in on anything specific in their writing. Unsure? Take the class!! Do it!!!” - Cedar Yelvington
"This class helped me get brave and grow. It introduced me to other queer and trans writers and helped me feel way less alone. I am so glad they're offering it again. Jump in!" - T.D.
About the Facilitator
Jacks McNamara is a trans/non-binary poet, artist, activist, writer, educator, performer, and somatic healing practitioner based on the Tewa land called O’ga P’ogeh (and also known today as Santa Fe, New Mexico). In 2012 Jacks was selected as a Lambda literary fellow, and their first book of poetry, Inbetweenland, was released by Deviant Type Press in 2013. Co-author of Navigating the Space Between Brilliance and Madness, Jacks has toured across the US and Canada offering readings and workshops. They have also worked as a writer/artist in residence at many community organizations and the Santa Fe Public Schools. Their writing has appeared in numerous publications, blogs, and zines. Jacks is the co-founder of The Icarus Project, now known as the Fireweed Collective, a project that offers mental health education and mutual aid through a Healing Justice lens. Jacks’s life and work are the subject of the poetic documentary film Crooked Beauty.