Clare Johnson named co-editor of Poet Laureate’s queer poetry anthology

Clare Johnson has been named co-editor of the upcoming queer poetry anthology from Washington State Poet Laureate Arianne True. A multidisciplinary writer and visual artist, Clare is interested in celebrating overlooked spaces and histories, and opening up connections/empathy by fostering intimacy in places we usually share anonymously.

She is the recipient of numerous honors, and her publications include the Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods’ Seattle Histories series, where you can find her lyric essay about growing up queer on Capitol Hill during the AIDS crisis. Recent public art projects include a scavenger hunt of art on the backs of traffic signs (currently viewable in West Seattle), and window art in Cal Anderson Park about HIV and family. Her new lyric memoir piece for TrailOff, an app combining stories with tailor-made walking routes and sound design, launched earlier this fall and can now be experienced anytime for free.

The queer poetry anthology is set to be published online in 2025, and will feature work from poets of all stripes across the state.