New anthology highlights experiences, creativity of LGBTQ+ prisoners
Posted August 2, 2026 12:47 pm.
A local high-schooler is working to help LGBTQ+ prisoners share their stories and find connection.
The perspective of a queer prisoner with early-onset Alzheimer’s isn’t one you hear about often. Freya Pan, a Vancouver high schooler, is part of a group that’s trying to change that by publishing The Word is Out, an anthology of creative work from LGBTQ+ people behind bars.
“They found themselves recognized and heard in the process, and in that process they found strength and the ability to carry on,” said Pan.
The community that’s grown out of the project has become a crucial lifeline over the years. Surveys have shown queer prisoners suffer much higher rates of violence and discrimination than the general population.
“People facing assault, both physically and sexually because of their gender or sexual orientation. They’re just a really marginalized group in that aspect.”
Pan says she saw a documentary which inspired her to get involved with the Prisoner Correspondence Project, a Montreal-based organization that connects queer and trans prisoners with pen pals, and also shares their art, poetry, and essays. Topics range from meditations on the mundane, to extremely personal confessions.
“The excitement of reaching for the mail, stuff like that, but there’s also people talking about the frustration, anger of being trapped in this unjust system, and the discrimination and vulnerabilities that they’re afraid to share in case they’re targeted in the future.”
The stigma faced by this group on the inside can be intense and uniquely isolating but this outlet of sharing their work doesn’t just benefit them.
Pan described showing her friends some of their stories.
“They found some of the experiences really new and inspiring, and it broke some of the previous stereotypes about incarceration.”
The anthology is available to read online at no cost at the Prisoner Correspondence Project’s website.
