James Summer began writing poetry in his junior year of high school when he joined Vic High School’s slam poetry club, and became president of the slam poetry club in his senior year.

In January of this year, he was announced as the 2021 Youth Poet Laureate for the City of Victoria, co-sponsored by the Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL) and the City of Victoria.
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He's participated in such showcases as LimeLight, Vic Voices, and Hullabaloo, as well as various open mic events.

He hopes to bring his love of this artistic medium to other youth in the region, and help provide a safe space for those who want to express growth, pain and love through the written and spoken word.

“Poetry has helped me cope with feelings of loneliness and memories of a bittersweet childhood. As a transgender individual and as Youth Poet Laureate, I hope that I can bring awareness about the topic of being transgender and to have important conversations about stigma and labels.”