Focusing on iconic Hollywood films and indie cult favorites, this book combines insightful commentary with a personal memoir of the author's experiences growing up gay in the early '60s. It reflects on the challenges of surviving the AIDS pandemic in the '80s and includes anecdotes about his friendship with legendary activist Vito Russo. The narrative also touches on the adaptation of his novel 'Blackbird' into a feature film starring Mo'nique, showcasing resilience and the evolving landscape of LGBTQ representation in cinema.
In this collection, some of the most talented gay writers reveal their complex relationships with their families, showcasing unique yet universally relatable experiences. Each essay, written specifically for this anthology, explores themes of acceptance, rejection, and love without relying on stereotypes. John Preston opens with a reflection on the impact of an angry letter he left for his parents, which affected his younger brother in unexpected ways. Other contributors share their own stories of letters, conflicts, and reconciliations. Michael Nava delves into the life of his stoic grandfather, while Eric Latzky poignantly portrays his grandfather, Louis. Larry Duplechan mixes humor and poignancy in his depiction of his mother, who had a tough reaction to his coming out but still embraced him as her child. Harlan Greene's experiences growing up with Holocaust survivor parents left him with deep scars, and Brian Kirkpatrick offers a powerful introspection on being abandoned in a Catholic orphanage. Through their candid narratives, the twenty-four authors craft modern American literature from their autobiographical experiences, revealing profound truths about their lives and, in turn, about our own. This collection is a deeply emotional and beautifully conceived exploration of family dynamics.
