June Millicent-Jordan, also known as June Jordan, was a Jamaican American writer, poet, essayist, teacher, and activist.
Jordan’s work often explored themes of social justice, race, gender, and sexuality. She published numerous collections of poetry, including Some Changes (1971) and Naming Our Destiny (1989), as well as several works of prose, such as Civil Wars (1981) and On Call (1985). She was also a regular contributor to various publications, including The New York Times, The Progressive, and The Nation.
Throughout her life, Jordan was a fierce advocate for progressive causes and activism, including the fight against racism, sexism, and homophobia. She taught at several universities, including Yale University, and was the founder of the Poetry for the People program at the University of California, Berkeley, which aimed to bring poetry and literature to marginalized communities.
Millicent-Jordan was open about her bisexuality during her lifetime. In her 1989 autobiography, Soldier: A Poet’s Childhood, she wrote about her attraction to both men and women, saying,
I am a lesbian who also sleeps with men. My sexuality is part of who I am.
Jordan’s openness about her bisexuality was significant at a time when queer identities were often stigmatized and marginalized.
Jordan passed away in 2002, at the age of 65. Her legacy as a queer, Black, feminist writer, and activist continues to inspire and empower many people today.