140 CHARACTERS

Cud you tell ur coming out story in 140 CHARACTERS or less?

Norwich Pride are very proud to be working with the Forum, the Writers' Centre Norwich and Shelly Telly to create an Interactive Show at FUSION from 11-23rd January 2010. 140 CHARACTERS is about ordinary people just like you telling us their Coming Out Story in 140 CHARACTERS or less (a "tweet" on Twitter) We want LGBT people to tell us what it was like coming out for them and families and friends to let us hear their side of the story too.

You can tweet ur tale at www.twitter.com/OUT140

or text us on: 07786351214

or email: shell@shellytelly.co.uk

Ross Sutherland has produced a handy guide to help you write your story that you can download from the Writers Centre

You can make films of your stories lasting just 12 SECONDS every day in FUSION from 10-2pm, Monday-Friday.

Community Filmmaker Shelly Telly and her assistant Michael Fletcher are there to thrill you with their gadgets.

Poet/Artist Vince Laws and writers from the Writers' Centre Norwich are also on hand to hone your creative writing skills.

Vince has been inspired by the 140 CHARACTERS Project to write this poem:

My name is Vincent, and I like it, and I am a poem.
I am what I am and what I am needs no excuses.
I know why miracles come wrapped-up in blankets
Why black cats lead babies deep into roses
Why mothers are stitched-up inside each of us
Why the small frayed knot in my guts is so dangerous.

I know why coins get stolen from purses
Why shoplifted chocolate tastes better than bought
Why water pours out of a Wellington boot
How many fingers you need to salute.

I have been dirty underpants, burnt custard,
lipstick on piano keys, a held breath,
a rolling pin, a bamboo cane, a red-hot poker,
a clean handkerchief, a blossoming lotus.
I've been a closet, a wardrobe, an antique armoire,
a ticked box, a pink pound, a funding opportunity.
I've been a personal ad, a knock at the door,
a bottle of poppers, a piss in the sink.
I've been a Beano under the sofa, a spit-and-polished toe-cap,
a mug of Earl Grey, a spare toothbrush, a single bed, a double
– a super-king sized.

I've been a mouse trapped, a milk bottle tapped on a Formica top,
a husk, a shell, a sponge, a bird set free,
I'm coming out, I want the world to know.
I've been a letter, a phone call, a conversation, I've been a painting,
I've been fish and chips on the beach with champagne,
an unexpected bouquet, a bright red scooter,
a storm that swept in from the sea, a black dog under a duvet,
a caged canary, a tweet.
I've been a chemical session, a slingback, a big fat line of Charlie,
a red neckerchief, an avalanche, an intake of breath.
I've been a whisk in the kitchen, a rainbow sky, a chocolate cake,
the proverbial bus, a return ticket, a front seat, a silent poem.

I've been the love that dare not speak its name
and the love that dare not shut up.
My name is Vincent, and I like it, and I am a poem.

Find out more about Vince's work at www.vincelaws.com