Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns
Title
Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns
Description
Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns is the first book by genderqueer, spoken word poet Andrea Gibson, originally published in 2006 by Write Bloody Publishing. This book is as diverse in topics as the political climate into which it was produced. Through their electric words, Andrea meditates on themes of queer love, sex-positivity, post-traumatic stress disorder, sexual assault, non-binary gender identities, body positivity, chronic illness, hate crimes, race relations, childhood, religion, suicidality, and marriage equality. This list is not by any means exhaustive, and only is testament to the eloquence with which Gibson considers the many hardships their life has thrown them and members of the communities they inhabit.
This book reads as an exploration of these themes more than anything else. At times, Gibson makes reference to their own identity formation and life, but nonetheless, their poems leave you certain they have peered through a window straight into your own. As the written accompaniment to twenty-six of their spoken word poems, this book does not capture the same experience as hearing these poems performed aloud, but does allow the reader a freer interpretation of their words. Their poetry is brilliant in its simplicity; their metaphors are simultaneously obvious, gentle, and expertly crafted. They leave you with lines that make you feel more than think, such as: “When two violins are placed in a room, if a chord on one violin is struck, the other violin will sound the note. If this is your definition of hope, this is for you.”
This book reads as an exploration of these themes more than anything else. At times, Gibson makes reference to their own identity formation and life, but nonetheless, their poems leave you certain they have peered through a window straight into your own. As the written accompaniment to twenty-six of their spoken word poems, this book does not capture the same experience as hearing these poems performed aloud, but does allow the reader a freer interpretation of their words. Their poetry is brilliant in its simplicity; their metaphors are simultaneously obvious, gentle, and expertly crafted. They leave you with lines that make you feel more than think, such as: “When two violins are placed in a room, if a chord on one violin is struck, the other violin will sound the note. If this is your definition of hope, this is for you.”
Creator
Gibson, Andrea (Author)
Angerer, Drew (Cover Photo)
Mojgani, Anis (Illustrator)
Deschenes, Lea C. (Interior Layout)
Brown, Derrick (Editor)
Byram, Saadia (Editor)
Publisher
Write Bloody Publishing
Date
2008
Format
Text
Language
English
Type
Book
Citation
Gibson, Andrea (Author) et al., “Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns,” An Archive of Trans Culture, accessed October 28, 2026, https://transcultural.oberlincollegelibrary.org/items/show/7.