We have to start with the title, which might seem an overly optimistic statement. Do the battles not just go on and on? Kevin Naff clarifies a bit by saying that we have collectively won many battles but the fight is not over and the promise of equality remains fragile. His book is a collection … Continue reading
It might not be exactly true but I have always thought it takes almost as much effort to write a short story as it does to extend the work to book-length. Even further creativity is required to come up with a collection of stories to publish. Is it more talent or just different talent? Regardless, … Continue reading
In his review of 30 years of gay, pop culture, Paul Flynn begins with an auspicious moment in 1984 and the confluence of two, groundbreaking songs. “Smalltown Boy” by Bronksi Beat and “Relax” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, were released in the same year. The former was an achingly beautiful take on the pressures of … Continue reading
The West Side piers on the Hudson River achieved a level of infamy in the 1970s and early 1980s as a gathering place for gay men in pursuit of public, yet anonymous, sex. Its reputation included the danger inherent in public exposure, libidinous activity and the dilapidated state of the structures. The area is now … Continue reading
While the number of serious readers always seems to be in decline, the truth might be even more pronounced in poetry circles. Maybe a few reviews and positive word-of-mouth can stem the tide or at least forestall it somewhat. My interest in particular poets is often rooted in an introduction through biographies or other nonfiction … Continue reading