GLBT Organizations Build Bridges Between Generations of GLBT Storytellers

San Francisco, CA - July 4, 2008 – The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Transgender (GLBT) Historical Society and the Lambda Literary Foundation have joined forces to celebrate the contributions of three generations of GLBT Storytellers.

The two organizations will host a series of conversations, entitled “Passing On The Pen,” designed to pair some of the pioneers of GLBT literature with today’s emerging GLBT storytellers. “This is the first time anyone has ever done anything like this” says Michael Nava, author and winner of five Lambda Literary Awards. “It's a powerhouse lineup, bringing together some astonishing talent and people who I have read and respected for many years as well as some wonderful new writers.”

 

From March through December, the two organizations will present monthly events pairing authors from the early days of the GLBT movement with current day storytellers. Each event will be held in the gallery of the GLBT Historical society from 6:30 to 8:30, and will be free of charge and open to the public.

On July 8th, celebrated African-American queer storytellers Jewelle Gomez, the author of seven books including the double Lambda Literary Award-winning novel, The Gilda Stories; and Frederick Smith, the author of Down for Whatever and Right Side of the Wrong Bed will be the featured authors in the series.

“In the early days of the GLBT community, our literature helped our community find its voice,” says Paul Boneberg, the Executive Director of the GLBTHS. “Now it’s helping us chart our future.”

Following is current calendar for "The GLBTHS & Lambda Literary Foundation Present

PASSING ON THE PEN: Intergenerational Queer Storytellers." All events begin at 6:30pm withreadings by the authors, followed by a Q&A session and book signing. All events end at 8:30pm.

Date Participating Authors
Jul 8, 2008 Jewelle Gomez and Frederick Smith
   
Aug 12, 2008 K.M. Soehnlein and Trebor Healey
   
Sep 9, 2008 Carla Trujillo, Johnny Diaz, Achy Obejas and Michael Nava
   
Oct 7, 2008 Paul Reidinger and Lucy Jane Bledsoe
   
November TBA Dorothy Allison
   
Dec 9, 2008 Jamison Green, Julia Serano, Tristan Crane
   

 

Dates and participants are confirmed as of the date of this release, but are subject to change.

About the GLBT Historical Society – The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Transgender Historical
Society (GLBTHS) collects, preserves, and interprets the history of GLBT people and the
communities that support them. For more information, visit www.glbthistory.org.

About the Lambda Literary Foundation – The Lambda Literary Foundation is the country’s
leading organization for LGBT literature. Its mission is to celebrate LGBT literature and provide resources for writers, readers, booksellers, publishers, and librarians. For more information, visit www.lambdaliterary.org.

If you’d like more information on this topic, or to schedule an interview with Michael Nava,
please call 415-865-7148, or email Michael at Michael.Nava@jud.ca.gov.