Where Public Health Meets the Mic: Left Turn Village Launches LGBTQ+ History Month Freedom Rhymers Poetry Event

In honor of LGBTQ+ History Month, Left Turn Village is hosting its first LGBTQ+ Freedom Rhymers poetry contest & open mic on Oct 25 in Metuchen, NJ. Hosted by champion poet RADI and sponsored by CHULO Underwear & Dread 2B Different, this event blends spoken word with public health advocacy-featuring cash prizes and an open mic to center queer stories and advance health equity. End Quote

Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ (1888PressRelease) October 06, 2026 - Against the backdrop of a national cultural climate where queer and trans stories are increasingly under fire, the upcoming showcase turns local creative expression into a front-line tool for health equity, identity, and community resilience. The October showcase offers an explosive afternoon of spoken word, lyricism, and storytelling, turning the spotlight on LGBTQIA+ artists and honoring the living histories being written today.

“Art has always been one of our most effective public health tools,” said Dr. Tyree Oredein, Founder of Left Turn Village, LLC and creator of the Freedom Rhymers series. “When marginalized communities take the mic, tell authentic stories, and reclaim their narratives, it directly targets health disparities by fostering health literacy, reducing social isolation, promoting emotional healing, and building collective strength. Public health isn't just practiced in clinics-it happens in community spaces where people are empowered to thrive. This edition is about creating a brave, celebratory space for LGBTQ+ voices to echo loudly.”

The event will be hosted by internationally acclaimed spoken word artist RADI, an East Orange native renowned for her high-energy stage presence, vulnerability, and art-as-activism approach, boasting titles such as Womxn of the World Poetry Slam Champion and Stonewall International Poetry Slam Champion. The afternoon will feature five Freedom Rhymer contestants competing for cash prizes-$100 for 1st place, $50 for 2nd place, and $25 for 3rd place-with all contestants receiving merchandise from sponsor CHULO Underwear. The event also includes an open mic component for audience members looking to share their own voices. Sponsored in part by CHULO Underwear and Dread 2B Different, the showcase brings together community members, advocates, and allies to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month through creative expression while offering opportunities for post-performance interactive dialogue and networking.

The event takes place at Suite Metuchen, located at 406 Main Street, Metuchen, NJ 08840. Admission is $25 for contestants, $15 for in-person audience members, and $10 for virtual attendees streaming via Zoom, with a limited number of free audience tickets available to ensure cost is not a barrier for anyone who wishes to participate. Tickets and registration can be accessed online at http://FRLGBTQ.eventbrite.com. Members of the press, media outlets, and community reviewers are invited to attend, with interviews with Dr. Oredein, and select artist profiles available upon request. For full details, ticket info, media credentials, or interview bookings, please email leftturnvillage ( @ ) gmail dot com dot

About Left Turn Village & Freedom Rhymers
Left Turn Village, LLC is a public health and social justice consulting firm founded in 2020 by Dr. Tyree Oredein. Guided by an intersectional lens, the firm specializes in transformative training, curricula, and programming focused on health literacy, cultural competency, and health equity. A core initiative of Left Turn Village is Freedom Rhymers-an innovative performance series using poetry, spoken word, and open mics to address health disparities, center marginalized voices, and drive community healing.

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