Gay Pride month is about so much more than just waving rainbow flags, dancing on boxes and trying to keep drag from melting in midday sun. Every June, it’s a good idea to remind ourselves of the cultural contributions our LGBT brothers and sisters have made to society, the plays, novels, poems and works of nonfiction that continue to challenge readers and change minds every time someone picks up a book (or downloads it directly into their eye or however the cool people are reading these days).
Here are some classics written by LGBT authors. Some of these works expressly deal with gay identity, some of the earlier works allude to LGBT themes and some of these don’t explore gay subject matter at all; they’re just brilliant pieces of writing that were created by LGBT authors who, regardless of the subject matter, always wrote from that unique gay experience. Remember: there was a time when being gay meant you were probably more cultured and sophisticated than the average person. Yes, it was a stereotype, but it was a good stereotype, so read a few of these selections and let’s help perpetuate it once again.
The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde
Audre Lorde
Feminist, Caribbean-American, civil rights activist and lesbian Audre Lorde is a must read for anyone who loves poetry, doesn't read enough poetry, thinks they don’t care for poetry or just breathes oxygen. Lorde confirmed her sexuality with the poem “Martha” in Cables to Rage. “We shall love each other here if ever at all,” she says to the title woman. Even if you only explore a poem a day, you’ll be glad you did. Lorde’s words are so rich and layered that you could read the same poem over and over each day and still find deeper meanings.
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