This poem was written in reflection of my own eviction — an experience shared by countless LGBTIQ+ individuals across the world who are forced from their homes simply for being themselves.
After homophobia, homelessness remains one of the greatest challenges queer refugees and individuals face.
This piece gives voice to that pain, resilience, and the hope that love, even without a roof, can still endure. – Joseph
They brought knives in the form of eyes,
Whispers that sliced like sharpened sighs.
My humanity — gentle, small, and true —
Branded sin on their wall anew.
The key that once unlocked my door
Now hangs useless, meaning no more.
I stand in the night with memories bare,
The stars my ceiling, the cold my prayer.
Homophobia turned my home to ash,
Hatred cloaked in holy wrath.
They called it “order,” they called it “law,”
But I saw fear, and nothing more.
I am not the only one in this storm-battered street —
There are countless others with tired feet.
Brothers, sisters, souls without a name,
Each carrying love the world has shamed.
No roof for the rainbow, no bed to lie,
Yet still we breathe with defiant chests.
Our hearts will not lose their colour’s shine —
For every colour is holy, blessed.
One day, this earth will build anew:
A world where rainbows shine right through.
Where love is home, and home is kind,
And no one’s truth is left behind.
Written by Joseph K (He/Him)
If this poem moves you, please consider helping me rebuild what hatred took away.
Your support, even a small contribution toward rent, can give an LGBTIQ+ refugee like me a safe place to call home again.
This blog ©2025 Geoff Allshorn. All rights hereby returned to the poet.
I show my respect for Elders past and present and acknowledge the Wurundjeri-Willam people, the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this blog was prepared.