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Poetry as Pleasure
November 7 @ 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Hosted by Black Bird Rising
Description (from host)
Poetry as Pleasure blends creative writing with sex education to explore how pleasure, both sexual and non-sexual, can be a pathway to personal and collective liberation. Grounded in the teachings of Audre Lorde and bell hooks, as well as the theories and ideas within Pleasure Activism by adrienne maree brown, this workshop emphasizes that marginalized individuals—especially those who are Black, queer, and non-binary—are often denied access to their own bodies and the full spectrum of pleasure. Through intentional reflection and poetic expression, participants will reclaim their right to joy and sensuality, learning how these practices not only heal but also challenge systems of oppression.
The workshop encourages participants to embrace pleasure as a tool for self-awareness, self-care, and resilience. By exploring both everyday sensual and sexual pleasure practices, participants will learn how to honor their own desires and bodies with the understanding that a more intimate connection with oneself can foster better relationships and lead to personal empowerment. Writing, reflection, and open conversation will be used to deepen this connection, making pleasure an act of resistance and a step toward liberation.
Presenter Bio: Amir Methvin (she/her) is a South African poet, social worker, sex educator, and sex therapist in training with a passion for using writing as a medium for healing and liberation. She writes about love, people, pleasure, and pretty sunsets. Amir has spent over six years facilitating poetic and sex education spaces that center on joy, pleasure, and self-discovery. Her work draws on the teachings of bell hooks and Audre Lorde, with a particular focus on the intersection of pleasure, identity, and sexual freedom.
Through workshops like Poetry as Pleasure, Amir empowers participants to explore the intimate connections between body, mind, and spirit through creative writing and reflection. As a Black, queer facilitator, Amir prioritizes creating inclusive, affirming spaces where participants can safely engage with pleasure as a liberatory practice. In addition to currently pursuing her dual MPH/MSW, Amir uses her platform Pleasure Is For People to offer workshops across the East Coast, advocating for pleasure-centered sex education and consulting with nonprofits and social service agencies to help incorporate sex-positive, inclusive frameworks into their work.
