Gender Noncompliant Poetry & Art

I identify as a threat

On a white canvas, red splatters of paint make up the background and are covered in a collage of cut out portions of Executive Orders on health and gender. On top of this are jagged piece of red and black paper framing this poem: I identify as a threat. They’re scared of me. They can’t handle even one small aspect of my existence. They are so alarmed they keep trying legislate me away. Pretend I don’t exist. Yet here I am. Existing. Existing as me. Not as they decide I should be. They want me to disappear. But I’m not going to do that. Even if they take everything from me. Even if they take my freedom. My life. My existence will continue. And I will haunt them for eternity. They’re scared of me. But I’m not scared of them.
Words, acrylic on canvas, and Executive Order collage by Guy Duke
16″x20″

Original available for sale at Kreative Grounds Cafe, McAllen, TX, until Nov. 15, 2025.

Available as print:
8.5″x11″

Purchase print ($15)