Pears, Prose & Poetry: LGBT Poets at NYC's Fresh Fruit Festival Fight Intolerance

New York, NY, July 11, 2011 --(PR.com)-- This year marks the 9th anniversary of the All Out Arts’ Fresh Fruit Festival created in 2002 to support and present LGBT Art and Artists to fight intolerance. The July 11, 2011 Pears, Prose & Poetry event at The LGBT Community Center in Greenwich Village, New York City, will feature the work of 17 poets, some past "fruities" and some new faces.

The 17 poets include: Austin Alexis • Joel Allegretti • Dorothy Friedman August • Davidson Garrett • Melinda Goodman • Dean Kostos • Michael Montlack • Carol Polcovar • John Marcus Powell • Jessica Reed • Vittoria repetto • Jason Schneiderman • Sinclair Sexsmith • Robert Urban • Chocolate Waters • Chavisa Woods • Richard Marx Weinraub.

Robert Urban of Urban Productions, New York, will also act as emcee along with Roxanne Hoffman, publisher and editor of Poets Wear Prada, Hoboken, New Jersey. Poets Wear Prada has published an anthology for the event including work by the 17 featured poets. Pre-release copies will be available for sale at the event.

The LGBT Community Center is located at 208 West 13th Street (just west of 7th Avenue) in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City.

What is LGBT poetry? "For those who need to know — I don't know if I could every fully explain just what 'LGBT' poetry is... I daresay, underneath the same-sex surface — it looks, smells, sounds and tastes just like hetero poetry. Yet not a day goes by that I don't thank the world for blessing me and my kindred spirits with the alienation, distance and perspective that being queer adds to our special way with words. There's something to that," says Robert Urban.

Roxanne Hoffman adds, "Want to find out what LGBT poetry is all about? Come to The Center on Monday evening and hear for yourself. You'll also meet some of best writers in New York. "

"The Festival’s refreshing, innovate approach to LGBT arts allows audiences to sample a wide range of poetry from writers representing different ages, ethnicities, sexualities, and gender orientations. Attendees are certain to find something fresh and innovative to inspire them," says Caitlin Foster, Editorial Intern at Poets Wear Prada, and anthology co-editor.

The Fresh Fruit Festival prides itself on the diversity of its performers and equally diverse audiences. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

The mission of the All Out Arts’ Fresh Fruit Festival is "to fight prejudice and homophobia by celebrating LGBT art and artists."

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