(CHICAGO - June 1, 2023) - The American Writers Museum (AWM) launches its new Writing Queer tour that will take visitors through the entire museum, using queer authors as a sort of map through the exhibits. Highlighted authors include Margaret Wise Brown, Maurice Sendak, James Baldwin, and many more select LGBTQ+ writers who used their sexuality and gender identity as inspiration for their work. The complimentary 3 p.m. tour is included with museum admission and runs through July 30.
In addition to the special tour, the AWM has a number of resources available to help people discover, celebrate, and honor the vast contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and non-binary writers, both past and present.
Other events to round out Pride Month include author talks with two leading voices in the LGBTQ+ community, Juno Dawson and Zachary Zane. Plus, a Get Lit: Pride Night (21 and older) featuring special drag queen storytimes with Mrs. Yuka Layme and the first-ever Pride Parade inside a museum!
Tickets to the museum's public programming range in price but all include access to AWM exhibits.
Upcoming June Events:
*Pride Month Program!*
Zachary Zane: Boyslut | June 6, 2023, 6 p.m.
In Boyslut, sex and relationship columnist Zachary Zane bares it all in a series of essays—part memoir, part manifesto—exploring his coming-of-age and coming out as a bisexual man moving toward an embrace and celebration of sex unencumbered by shame. Zane reads from and discusses Boyslut at the AWM, followed by a book signing. This program will also be livestreamed.
Lisa See: Lady Tan's Circle of Women | June 12, 2023, 6 p.m.
Beloved author Lisa See reads from and discusses her captivating and vivid new novel Lady Tan's Circle of Women. Set in 15th century China, Lady Tan's Circle of Women is a fictional retelling of the life of one remarkable woman, Tan Yunxian, a female doctor whose book (translated variously as The Sayings of a Woman Doctor, Miscellaneous Records of a Female Doctor, and The Comments of a Female Physician) contains formulas still used today in traditional Chinese medicine. This program will also be livestreamed.
*Pride Month Program!*
Get Lit: Pride Night | June 13, 2023, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Sashay on over to the AWM and celebrate LGBTQ+ writers during Pride Month! Slay a themed scavenger hunt for the chance to win prizes, experience a special drag storytime, and strut your stuff in the Pride Parade throughout the museum. And as always, enjoy beer, wine, and our signature cocktail This Drink Is Gay, inspired by the book This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson. 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. $25 for non-members, and includes access to the AWM's exhibits and drink tickets for two complimentary beverages.
Juneteenth Celebration at the AWM | June 19, 2023, 6 p.m.
An evening in celebration of Juneteenth featuring a reading from Those Who Saw the Sun, Jaha Nailah Avery's new collection of oral history narratives from the time of Jim Crow in the South, and a gallery talk by artists featured in the AWM's special exhibit Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice. Chicago artists Dorothy Burge, Dorian Sylvain and Damon Reed will talk about creating representations of America's legendary Black authors for the exhibit and how the words and work affected the artists' renderings. Jaha will be signing books and the artists will sign prints of their work following the program.
*Pride Month Program!*
Juno Dawson | June 22, 2023, 6 p.m.
Bestselling author and activist Juno Dawson will read from and discuss her debut picture book You Need To Chill. Tickets include a copy of You Need To Chill, a goodie bag of swag, and access to the AWM's exhibits. Plus, $5 of each ticket sale will be donated to Care2Prevent, which empowers individuals of all ages who are living with HIV or who want to stay HIV negative, to live bold, rich, meaningful lives.
For more information and to register for a program, visit AmericanWritersMuseum.org/calendar/ .
About American Writers Museum
The American Writers Museum is the first museum of its kind in the United States. The mission of the American Writers Museum is to engage the public in celebrating American writers and exploring their influence on our history, our identity, and our daily lives. The museum is located at 180 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60601, and offers something for every age group including permanent exhibits and special galleries highlighting America's favorite works and the authors behind them. Tickets to the museum are $14 for adults, $9 for seniors, students, and teachers. Free for members and children ages 12 and under. To inquire about discounted rates for groups of 10 or more, including adults, student travel groups, and University students, visit AmericanWritersMuseum.org/visit/groups/ . Museum hours are Thursday - Tuesday 10 AM — 5 PM. For more information visit AmericanWritersMuseum.org or call 312-374-8790. Follow AWM on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
