LUI MONTES
QUEER POETRY & SPOKEN WORD
"A poet creates a vision of a world that
doesn't exist just yet. But it's about to begin."
Lui Montes, 2019
ABOUT ME
Lui Montes (He/They) is a queer Mexican spoken word artist based in Rotterdam. Founder of Unwanted Words, an award-winning platform for LGBTQ+ poets in The Netherlands and creator of the "Queer & Feminist Poetry Awards" Vol 1 (2020) & Vol 2 (2023). In 2021 he published the book "Queer & Feminist Poetry Anthology" compiling the works of 50 LGBTQ+ poets in the Netherlands.
Named Game Changer at the Rotterdam Street Culture Festival 2021, alumni of Poetry Circle 2019-2020 & Ambassador of the Poetry International Festival 2023, Lui is dedicated to fostering and amplifying the voices of marginalized groups and collaborating with other individuals and organisations to continue creating safe(r) spaces for our community. His work has been featured in Opera Dagen Rotterdam, Milkshake Festival, Brainwash Festival, the Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival, Rotterdam Pride, Tell 'Em Festival and more.
MY SERVICES
POETRY &
SPOKEN WORD
DEI
CONSULTANCY
EVENT
HOSTING
MIXED MEDIA
PROJECTS
WORKSHOPS &
TRAININGS
ABOUT MY WORK
My work explores themes of queer joy, intimacy & spirituality from a decolonial, intersectional lens on identity.
Watch: Poetry International Festival - Ambassador Interview
Watch: CreativeMornings Rotterdam Keynote Talk "Embrace, Connect, Thrive: Navigating Your Creative Journey"
Performances
Hosting
ORGANIZATIONS & BRANDS I'VE WORKED WITH
OUT NOW: Queer & Feminist Poetry Anthology
This book is one of the highlights of my career: The Unwanted Words' Queer & Feminist Poetry Anthology is a compilation of poems written by a selection of 50 poets and artists based in the Netherlands. It covers a range of topics relating to feminism and the queer experience and perspective, honouring intersectionality and embracing BIPOC voices. This anthology celebrates the talent and stories of our diverse community in an effort to sow seeds of interest, inspiration and enthusiasm about Queer and Feminist poetry. The Queer & Feminist Poetry Anthology was initiated by Unwanted Words Project, an award-winning platform for up & coming queer voices working with poetry and spoken word, based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Unwanted Words is the first platform for LGBTQ+ poets and Spoken Word artists in the Netherlands. We are on a mission to provide a stage for marginalised voices and create an archive of LGBTQIA+ and feminist poets, writers, spoken word artists who need to be celebrated and heard. We strive to create opportunities for queer connection and growth, such as our Queer Poetry Nights event series, spoken word workshops, our Queer & Femininist Poetry Awards and digital content, promoting and amplifying queer voices from an intersectional perspective. This anthology is supported by Gemeente Rotterdam, Pitcher Perfect 010 and WORM Rotterdam.
