Powerful words, animated motions and a flood of emotion accompany Stacey Ann Chin as she reads what she has become well known for – slam poetry.

“We saw her at a Midwest college conference for LGBTAA when she performed and everyone was blown away by her,” said Adam Calder, freshman in liberal arts and sciences. “She was that moving and that powerful.”

Chin’s slam poetry performance, which is being sponsored by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Ally Alliance, Margaret Sloss Women’s Center, Women’s Week, and the Committee on Lectures, is part of the celebration for National Coming Out Days. The program is tonight at 8 in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union and is free of charge.

“She is a wonderful addition to the week,” said Pat Miller, lectures program coordinator. “She brings something creative to serious issues, and her format is very exciting.”

Calder said that Chin was approached about speaking at Iowa State because she is a “good representation of diversity and tolerance,” and because she is not only Chinese and Jamaican, but is also bisexual.

“Her poetry is about her life and her experiences,” Calder said. “I am hoping she will show people there is beauty and talent within each of us.”

“Not only is she a diverse person, but she is really good at what she does and inspires people to say what they feel,” said Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen, junior in political science.

According to Beatty-Hansen, slam poetry is very performance-oriented. Calder said it is “a lot of yelling and emotion coming forth, not just reading poems.”

Chin’s visit to Iowa State follows a long list of achievements. She has won the People of Color Slam, was a runner-up for the Outright Poetry Slam and headlined the American Amazons European tour. She has performed in the Apollo Theater’s “Showtime at the Apollo” and has been featured on “60 Minutes.”

She has also spoken at many universities nationwide and has been included on the international circuit by performing in such locations as London and Denmark. In addition to appearing in anthologies such as “Skyscrapers, Taxis and Tampons,” and “Poetry Slam,” Chin also has a chapbook entitled “Wildcat Woman.”