Jackie Kay
's poetry, plays, and fiction explore issues of divided, displaced, or mixed identity. Her writings probe and challenge assumptions about race, gender, and sexuality with a mixture of pain and humour. She often draws her inspiration from jazz and blues musicians, particularly
and
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has also written a memoir about her search for her birth parents, and several children's books, as well as works for radio drama and performance poetry), opera, and audiocassette.
- BirthName: Jacqueline Margaret Kay
- Nickname: Jackie Kay
- Self-constructed: IjeomaThis Igbo name, meaning good journey, was given at her request by her birth father (who in the beginning had wanted her to be called Joy). Having been told she should have an Igbo name, she asked him for one, and chose this one from the two he offered.