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Author/feminist bell hooks dies at 69
Acclaimed author and activist bell hooks died Dec. 15 at age 69. The writer (real name: Gloria Jean Watkins) was born in 1952 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, per NBC News. Her first published work, a book of ...
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Leading groups join call for LGBTQ-inclusive books, books on race, racism
--From a GLAAD press release
GLAAD joins over 600 groups and individuals in a powerful statement of support against efforts to ban LGBTQ-inclusive books and books about race and racism. The statement, created by the National Coalition Against Censorship, is the ...
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Author Anne Rice dies at 80
Writer Anne Rice, whose Interview With The Vampire sold more than 150 million copies, died at age 80 on Dec. 11, according to media reports. Her son Christopher Rice, an out gay man who is also ...
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U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids reaches marginalized communities with children's book
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids' children's book, Sharice's Big Voice, tells the story of how an Indigenous lesbian mixed martial artist and lawyer became the first LGBTQ+ representative of Kansas. "My hope is that when children or ...
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Five Worth Finding: World AIDS Day, 'Benedetta,' books, wine in a can
—World AIDS Day event at Belmont Harbor: —The Chicago Parks Foundation will hold a World AIDS Day event on Dec. 1, 9-10:30 a.m., at the Belmont Harbor Yacht Club. Antonio King, LGBTQ health and outreach liaison ...
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Missouri district returning LGBTQ+ books to high school libraries
In Missouri, the North Kansas City School district said it would return two books exploring LGBTQ+ themes to its high school libraries following public outcry, The Hill noted. The district announced its plans to reshelve All ...
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Downers Grove parents complain about LGBTQ books
Continuing a battle that's been taking place in several other states, parents in the Chicago suburb of Downers Grove say they want publications they call "pornography" removed from the high schools' libraries, according to WGN-TV. At ...
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ATTRACTIONS 'The Dr. Seuss Experience' at Water Tower Place
It's certainly a time and place to be immersed in nostalgia. The family-friendly attraction "The Dr. Seuss Experience" is running through Jan. 2, 2022, at Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave. It's certainly hard to ...
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Lambda Literary executive director stepping down
Lambda Literary Executive Director Sue Landers announced that she is stepping down. In an open letter, Landers stated, "On December 1, I will step down as executive director. Maxwell Scales and Cleopatra Acquaye-Reynolds will join the ...
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Actor Kal Penn discusses coming out, acting journey, systemic racism during tour
Following the publishing of actor Kal Penn's memoir You Can't Be Serious, he stopped in Chicago on Nov. 6 to discuss his Hollywood and White House careers—and the news of his coming out. Co-founder of Vice ...
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BOOKS Twelfth (and final) 'Boystown' cover revealed
Boystown author Jake Biondi has revealed the cover of the twelfth book of his series—while simultaneously sharing that the next installment will be the final one. Boystown: Season Twelve: The Final Season will be released in ...
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BOOK REVIEW Activist Peter Staley's Memoir 'Never Silent' is a real-life thriller
--From marksking.com
"Attention must be paid to such a man." — Arthur Miller Peter Staley's much-anticipated new memoir, Never Silent, opens with almost unbearable nail-biting suspense, sweeping us into the behind-the-scenes machinations of an ACT UP takeover of ...
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Achy Obejas' bilingual poetry book Boomerang/Bumeran explores immigration, liberation
Achy Obejas is a Cuban-American writer, translator and activist. Boomerang/Bumerán, her newest book, confronts questions of immigration, love and liberation. Like a boomerang, these ideas return throughout the collection, even ...
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NATIONAL Victory Institute, LGBTQ books, youth items, NASA, LGBTQ Nation
LGBTQ Victory Institute and nine additional candidate-training organizations announced a partnership with Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, to provide a native-to-mobile tool to encourage young people to run for office, a press release noted. ...
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Lambda Literary to expand LGBTQ Writers in Schools Program in New York City schools
--From a press release
New York, NY — Today, Lambda Literary announced that New York City has quadrupled its investment in the organization's LGBTQ Writers in Schools program, increasing funding from $100,000 to $400,000 to reach 10,000 students and provide ...
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Equality Illinois CEO Brian C. Johnson on new book, 'Our Fair Share'
In Equality Illinois CEO Brian C. Johnson's new book, Our Fair Share: How One Small Change Can Create a More Equitable American Economy, he posits that receiving a Citizen Dividend will help all U.S. residents achieve ...
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BOOKS 'Mission Possible' released before 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' anniversary
C. Dixon Osburn, co-founder and former CEO of the Servicmembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), has written Mission Possible: The Story of the Repealing 'Don't Ask Don't Tell. This is the inside story of SLDN, which was ...
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Women & Children First hosting virtual event with Anita Hill on Sept. 29
Anita Hill—the University Professor of Social Policy, Law, and Women's and Gender Studies at Brandeis University who played a major role in the 1991 Senate confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas—will be part ...
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Chicago Literary Hall of Fame announces 2021 class of new inductees
--From a press release
Chicago, August 17, 2021 — The Chicago Literary Hall of Fame (CLHOF) announced that its 2021 Class of Inductees will include Frank London Brown, Jeanette Howard Foster, Carlos Cortez, and Gene Wolfe. The inductees will be ...
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Chicago-area author releases book about gay, autistic African-American
PenPower Book Marketing Services and Chicago-area author Jaire Sims have released his debut young adult novel, Getting By, which was named a finalist in the African American (Fiction) category in the 2021 Next Generation Indie Book ...
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Printers Row Lit Fest returns to Chicago Sept. 11-12
--From a press release
CHICAGO (August 12, 2021) Printers Row Lit Fest, the largest free outdoor literary showcase in the Midwest, returns for its 36th year with 100% free programming for book lovers the weekend after Labor Day, Saturday, Sept. ...
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Gerber/Hart comedy benefit Sept. 18
Gerber/Hart Library and Archives, 6500 N. Clark St.. will host a comedy benefit, "Stacks of Laughter," on Saturday, Sept. 18. At 6 p.m., there will be a VIP reception with local historian John D'Emilio. Also, a ...
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BOOKS Author, activist Roy Wesley on his new book about his father
Gay Chicago author, activist and Fermalogic, Inc. COO Roy Wesley has written a new book about his father—Invisible Vision: The hidden story of Dr. Newton K. Wesley, American contact-lens pioneer. Windy City Times: What made you ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Pray Away,' film contest, LGBTQ book, musicians, 'Star Trek'
The new Netflix Original Documentary Pray Away, from executive producers Ryan Murphy and Jason Blum, will make its global launch on the platform Aug. 3, a press release noted. In the film, former leaders of the ...
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BOOKS Grandma, Grace Jones are heroes in non-binary author's children's book
Non-binary author, alternative hip hop artist, mother and activist Ris iRAWniQ Anderson has published the children's book in Charlie's Best Work Yet. Charlie's Best Work Yet tells the semi-autobiographical story of Charlie—a shy, artistic ...
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The Cost of Pride: Research goes inside LGBTQ movement's two decades of progress
--From a press release
Sydney, Australia — With LGBTQ Pride Month upon us, new University of Sydney research released today paints a vivid picture of how the LGBTQ community has achieved groundbreaking advancements over the past two decades. The study ...
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BOOKS Precious Brady-Davis has arrived
Recently honored by Mayor Lightfoot and the LGBTQ Advisory Council as a community leader who has "helped build the foundation for a more welcoming, equitable and inclusive Chicago," Precious Brady-Davis wants to do it all. She ...
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"Chicago: Where comics came to life (1880-1960)" at Chicago Cultural Center
--From a press release
"Chicago: Where comics came to life (1880-1960)" opens Saturday, June 19 at Chicago Cultural Center. The new exhibition celebrates Chicago as the comics capital of the world. Current exhibitions include ...
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New book sets the record straight on Act Up New York
Novelist, playwright, nonfiction writer, journalist, screenwriter, LGBTQ+-rights activist and AIDS historian Sarah Schuman preserves the power of the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) while laying everything out about ...
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Lambda Literary Award winners announced
On June 1, Lambda Literary announced the winners of its 33rd Annual Lambda Literary Awards. The winners were selected by a panel of more than 60 literary professionals from more than 1,000 book submissions from more ...
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Temple Beth-El to offer 'Drag Queen Story Time' on June 5
Temple Beth-El, a Reform Jewish synagogue in Northbrook, will hold "Drag Queen Story Time" on Saturday, June 5, 4-4:45 p.m., on Zoom. The all-ages event will feature Merriam Levkowitz, described on a flyer as "Chicago's premier ...
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An Evening with Fran Lebowitz at the Auditorium Theatre on April 15, 2022
--From a press release
Chicago, IL May 24, 2021 — An Evening with Fran Lebowitz on Friday, April 15th at Auditorium Theatre located at 50 E. Congress Pkwy Chicago, IL. This show is all ages and begins at 7:30 PM ...
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Little library honoring John Pennycuff is unveiled
Chicago's Unity Park Advisory Council (UPAC) held "Park Day" May 22 at the site, 2636 N. Kimball Ave.—and one of the events involved the unveiling of a custom-designed little library that honors late LGBTQ-rights activist John ...
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'Real Housewives' expert Brian Moylan keeps it real in new tell-all book
Bravo's Real Housewives franchise, which has been stirring the pot for more than 15 years, has launched 31 books and a cocktail line; featured two jail sentences and a couple of supermodel daughters; made Andy Cohen ...
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Women and Children First hosts 'Documenting LGBTQ+ Histories' virtual panel
To celebrate the release of Diana Souhami's book No Modernism Without Lesbians, Women and Children First hosted a "Documenting LGBTQ+ Histories" virtual panel May 16. Gerber/Hart Library and Archives volunteer ...
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BOOKS Lesbian author Amanda Kabak to release hate-crime novel July 20
Lesbian author Amanda Kabak—a Chicago native who now resides in Lakeland, Florida—is releasing the novel Upended on July 20. In Upended, Maddie, a driven entrepreneur, finds her world thrown into disarray when she survives a hate ...
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'An Evening with Fran Lebowitz' in April 2022 in NYC
Legendary author, journalist and social observer Fran Lebowitz is slated to return to The Town Hall stage in New York City for two live, in conversation events on April 6-7, 2022. Lebowitz is coming off her ...
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Stephanie Battaglino, New York Life's first transgender officer, releases memoir
--From a press release
May 11, 2021… Educator and motivational speaker Stephanie Battaglino today officially released her memoir, Reflections from Both Sides of the Glass Ceiling: Finding My True Self in Corporate America, from L'Oste Vineyard Press. After many years ...
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Gerber/Hart holding large book sale/exhibit viewing June 6
Gerber/Hart Library and Archives, 6500 N. Clark St., is holding a one-day book sale is returning on Sunday, June 6, 12-4 p.m., in the library reading room. Extra tables will be set up to significantly increase ...
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Jonathan Ned Katz talks new book, LGBTQ history, state of the world
Author, historian and activist Jonathan Ned Katz will come out with a new book, The Daring Life and Dangerous Times of Eve Adams, on May 18. The biography is centered on the life of Adams, a Jewish lesbian immigrant, and also ...
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BOOKS
Lambda Literary Awards to take place June 1
The 33rd Annual Lambda Literary Awards—which celebrates LGBTQ+ books and authors—will take place Tuesday, June 1, 6-8 p.m. Typically held in person in New York City, this year's Lammys will be presented virtually for the first ...
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1971: The Chicago Daughters of Bilitis
Excerpt from Chicago After Stonewall: Gay Lib to Gay Life
An excerpt from Chicago After Stonewall: Gay Lib to Gay Life, a new book by St Sukie de la Croix. You can buy the book from Amazon.com, all good bookstores, and for a signed copy, rattlinggoodyarns.com ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Master of None,' children's book, Kristen Stewart, expectant couple
Master of None is coming back—but this time, the series will focus on Lena Waithe's character, Denise, out.com noted. Master of None, created by Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang for Netflix, starred Ansari for the first ...
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1970: The Police Murder of James Clay
Excerpt from Chicago After Stonewall: Gay Lib to Gay Life
" … One month after Finnie's Ball, a Chicago Defender headline read, 'Female Impersonator killed by cop in W. Side street brawl.' The Chicago Sun-Times headline read, 'Man slain fleeing police in bizarre W. Side clash.' ...
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'Documenting LGBTQ+ Histories' virtual talk on May 16
On Sunday, May 16, at 11 a.m. CT, Women and Children First will host the virtual panel discussion "Documenting LGBTQ+ Histories" on its Crowdcast Channel. Centering on the release of Diana Souhami's new book No Modernism ...
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Joan E. Biren aka JEB talks Portraits of Lesbians book journey and re-issue
In an era where lesbian visibility was almost non-existent, activist and photographer Joan E. Biren (or as she is also known, "JEB") self-financed and self-published a photography book called Eye To Eye: Portraits of Lesbians. Biren's ...
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Bechdel, Rannells among upcoming CHF guests
The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) announced its line-up of virtual programs with award-winning writers, scholars and cultural icons in late April and throughout May. Among LGBTQ participants/guests will be Fun ...
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BOOKS Chicago After Stonewall available May 11
Chicago After Stonewall: Gay Lib to Gay Life—a detailed account of how LGBTQ's in Carl Sandburg's "City of the Big Shoulders" responded to the Stonewall Riots—will be available May 11. This book pulls together jigsaw pieces ...
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SHOWBIZ Brandi Carlile, 'Legendary,' children's book, film festival, Janet Mock
Lesbian musician Brandi Carlile memoir, Broken Horses, debuted at number one on The New York Times Best Sellers list, a press release announced. In addition to the hardback book, a very special audiobook edition of the ...
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Yvonne Zipter's historical novel 'Infraction' out June 1
The lesbian historical fiction work Infraction, by Chicagoan Yvonne Zipter, will be out June 1. The publisher is Rattling Good Yarns Press. Set in socially turbulent St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1875, the work follows Marya Zhukova, ...
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Newberry Library to honor Lonnie G. Bunch III on May 24
In a virtual event on Monday, May 24, at 6 p.m., the Newberry Library will honor Lonnie G. Bunch III for his contributions to the humanities. Bunch became secretary of the Smithsonian Institution in June 2019 ...
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Gerber/Hart celebrating Pearl Hart's birthday through April 7
--From a Gerber/Hart press release
Gerber/Hart Library and Archives is celebrating the April 7 birthday of Pearl Hart, the "heart" of Gerber/Hart, and raising funds to help Gerber/Hart continue its vital mission to preserve LGBTQ history in Chicago and the Midwest. ...
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Former soccer star Lohman on 'Raising Tomorrow's Champions'
Joanna Lohman and Paul Tukey had "really ambitious" goals for their book. They were planning to celebrate the legacy of female sports legends who overcame the challenges of gender, orientation and discrimination that paved the way ...
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Poetry = Life
"Writing these poems kept me alive." That sentence was spoken decades ago by Paul Monette about his book, Love Alone, Eighteen Elegies for Rog, which was published in 1986. Rog was Roger Hurwitz, Monette's partner who ...
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Author Rick Karlin speaks about Chicago memoir and local LGBTQ press
Author Rick Karlin was recently interviewed about his 2019 memoir, Paper Cuts, in a online discussion sponsored by Gerber-Hart Library and Archive. Karlin was interviewed by author and historian Owen Keehnen. They opened with a summary ...
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Author and educator Sarah Chadwick talks new book on female sexuality
Sarah Chadwick's debut book, The Sweetness of Venus: A History of the Clitoris, was the result of her desire to understand the status of female sexuality in the West from an historical perspective. During Chadwick's research, ...
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Writer on AIDS activism in the Black church honored
--From a press release
The LGBTQ Religious Archives Network (LGBTQ-RAN) honors Dr. Dan Royles with the 2020-21 LGBTQ Religious History Award. The review jury selected Royles' "There Is a Balm in Gilead: AIDS Activism in the Black Church" from among ...
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Five Worth Finding: LGBTQ authors, paczki, skin-care items, Keto Mylk
—Tempest, by Ryan Meyer (NothingPeak.com): In Tempest, young LGBTQ writer Meyer departs from the horror themes in his 2018 poetry collection, Haunt. Using fictional vignettes and surreal personal accounts, he ...
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BOOKS Ta-Nehisi Coates at Printers Row Lit Fest on Sept. 11-12
Printers Row Lit Fest—the largest free outdoor literary showcase in the Midwest—is slated to return for its 36th year with 100% free programming for book lovers Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 11-12, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., in Chicago's historic Printers ...
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Book helps families with kids discuss gender roles, same gender attraction
--From a press release
A new book, Pepito Has a Doll, is centered on the experience of a shy young boy who lives with his grandmother. Pepito has only one friend, his doll Lola, until Miguel appears and they begin a joyful adventure together. Bilingual ...
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Author to hold talk about Chicago LGBTQ press on Feb. 9
Rick Karlin—author of Paper Cuts: My Life in Chicago's Volatile LGBTQ Press—will discuss his experiences in the Chicago LGBTQ press as presented in the book on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 6:30 p.m. via a video conference. ...
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BOOKS Author examines James Beard's life in
'The Man Who Ate Too Much'
Any established person in the food/restaurant industry or true foodie has surely heard of James Beard (1903-85), who many feel revolutionized cuisine in the United States more than any other individual. In The Man Who Ate ...
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Research shows racial bias denied social reformer Ada S. McKinley her due in history
--From a press release
(Jan. 19, 2021; Chicago, Ill.) Newly released scholarly research about Chicago social reformer Ada S. McKinley indicates her contributions to Chicago and to the field of human services have been ignored and marginalized due to her ...
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'Mombian Database' released
Mombian columnist Dana Rudolph has released the Mombian Database of LGBTQ Family Books, Media, and More, with more than 500 books, music albums, movies, games and toys for and about LGBTQ families. The site offers multiple ...
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Five Worth Finding: Workout gear, $2 subs, LGBTQ book
1. Lived Experience: Reflections on LGBTQ Life: "Lived Experience," in this case, refers to 60 LGBTQ people in this country who are older than 50—those who especially have so much to offer. This is a generation ...
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BOOKS: The best of 2020
You've got a little extra time this month, and you don't want to waste it. You want to read something good, the possibilities are endless, and the best place to begin is with these Best Books ...
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American Writers Museum launches virtual American Voices exhibit
--From a press release
(CHICAGO - December 7, 2020) - The American Writers Museum (AWM) today announced the launch of a new website NationofWriters.org, an online resource featuring a virtual American Voices exhibit, educational ...
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BOOKS/ART Local man releases sketches by famous artist uncle
Cuban American painter Gustavo Ojeda (1958—89) is best known for lush and meditative urban nightscapes that brought him recognition in the 1980s downtown New York art scene. He exhibited works alongside artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, ...
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Artist Riva Lehrer talks new memoir, career, state of the world
In queer artist, writer and curator Riva Lehrer's recently released memoir Golem Girl, she takes readers on a journey through her life via the lens of her being born with spina bifida and the way that ...
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SHOWBIZ Wentworth Miller, Whitney, lesbian author, Mark Wahlberg
Out actor Wentworth Miller said he doesn't want to be involved in a new season of the TV show Prison Break if it happens, according to Deadline. On Instagram, he thanked fans for his support and ...
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WORLD Church leaders, Amnesty International, students
Pope Francis included a U.S. archbishop who has made several strong, positive statements about LGBTQ people in the group of 13 church leaders named cardinals; there are also a bishop from the island nation of Malta ...
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BOOKS Former Warner Brothers head Alan Shayne reflects on a pivotal summer
Many things happened in 1941—Pearl Harbor was attacked, the Wonder Woman comic began publication and Franklin D. Roosevelt was sworn in for his third term as U.S. president. It was also a pivotal year for Alan ...
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Booksellers launch "Boxed Out" campaign, a look at consumer choices
--From a press release
(New York, New York) 20% of independent bookstores across the country are in danger of closing. Today, theAmerican Booksellers Association launched the "Boxed Out" campaign to draw attention to the high stakes indie bookstores face this ...
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BOOK REVIEW Gay Like Me: A Father Writes to His Son
By Richie Jackson $24.99; Harper; 163 pages Like father, like son. When you were small, people said you looked just like your dad. As you grew up, they said you had his sense of humor or his temper, you laughed alike, ...
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BOOKS Max Fox takes on late friend's work, 'Sexual Hegemony'
The late Christopher Chitty started a dissertation titled "Sexual Hegemony: Statecraft, Sodomy, and Capital in the Rise of the World System" while he was a PhD candidate. Writer, editor and friend Max Fox took on Chitty's ...
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