[05/06/25] Crews, James: Love Is for All of Us: Poems of Tenderness and Belonging from the LGBTQ+ Community and Friends

Storey Publishing, paperback

Publication Date: May 6, 2025

Publisher Marketing: Edited by James Crews with his husband, Brad Peacock, and illustrated by Lisa Congdon, this luminous and open-hearted anthology of contemporary love poems from the LGBTQIA+ community celebrates that there is nothing more universal than love. These poems of tenderness, affirmation, and hope are a beacon and a celebration, not only of romantic love, but the love within families and chosen families, friendship, self-love, and love for the natural world. The poems are gathered from a diverse group of contemporary writers, with a special focus on queer, nonbinary, and trans-identifying poets, and from a generous selection of allies as well. Contributors include Andrea Gibson, Ellen Bass, Nikita Gill, Mark Doty, Audre Lorde, Richard Blanco, Gabrielle Calvocoressi, Danez Smith, Joy Ladin, Carl Phillips, Li-Young Lee, and many others. Brief essays called "Stories of Becoming" act as touchstones throughout the book, telling the inspiring and touching stories of LGBTQIA+ people whose experiences may bring hope to others.