Appalachia

First openly gay Kentucky Poet Laureate, Silas House talks visibility and backlash

Leave a Comment / Appalachia / By Queer Kentucky

By Belle Townsendshe/theybelle@queerkentucky.com Silas House, a Whitley County-born author whose works have become beloved bestsellers, was selected by Governor Andy Beshear to be Kentucky’s 2023-24 Poet Laureate. “I think it’s particularly important to me right now, to be trusted as the governor as a representative, in a time when there’s so much anti-LGBTQ+ legislation out …

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The Lesser-Known Pioneer: Lige Clarke and the queer legacy left behind

Leave a Comment / Appalachia, Being Queer / By Queer Kentucky

It was just two months since the United States was plunged into World War II. Temperatures were below zero in the hollers of East Kentucky and, while a nation mourned, James and Corinne Clarke of Cave Branch Hollow in Hindman, Kentucky, welcomed a son to the world. Elijah ‘Lige’ Clarke would live out his days …

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Great Meadows Foundation uplifts Queer artists alongside Queer Kentucky: Brennen Cabrera

Leave a Comment / Appalachia, Art, Interview / By Queer Kentucky

Visual artists are a vital part of Kentucky’s Queer community. Thanks to the Great Meadows Foundation, which was launched in 2016 by contemporary art collector and philanthropist Al Shands (1928-2021) in order to critically strengthen and support visual art in Kentucky, Queer Kentucky will be featuring interviews with a number of these artists. Brennen Cabrera …

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Eastern Kentucky floods: Stepping up to help friends in need

Leave a Comment / Appalachia / By Queer Kentucky

Imagine being over a hundred miles from home and wake up to your watch buzzing flood warning. That was my experience last Thursday morning. Living near the Poor Fork of the Cumberland River, this isn’t unusual after heavy rains. Thankfully, Cumberland did not experience any major flooding or damage this go around, but our friends …

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Great Meadows Foundation uplifts Queer artists alongside Queer Kentucky: Ceirra Evans

Leave a Comment / Appalachia, Art, Being Queer / By Queer Kentucky

Great Meadows Foundation uplifts Queer artists alongside Queer Kentucky: Ceirra Evans Read More »

Silas House awarded Duggins Prize for LGBTQ+ writers during Pride Month

Leave a Comment / Appalachia, Art, Being Queer, Education, Entertainment / By Queer Kentucky

Make no mistake, Kentucky’s Silas House has influenced our work at Queer Kentucky since writer and publisher, Sarah Gardiner, introduced his work to QKY founder, Spencer Jenkins in 2018. We are beyond proud to congratulate House on receiving the Duggins Prize for Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist, the largest prize given to an LGBTQ writer in the …

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