JKM Library celebrates LGBT month with a focus on gay and lesbian authors and gay and lesbian literature. While the library holds many books that cover everything from civil rights issues to queer theory, we have decided to lend an ear to those that have given voice to perspectives of gay and lesbian persons and the struggles, mundanities, and triumphs they live every day. To celebrate the storytellers that share and enrich our humanity and broaden our understanding of each other.
Gay Lit has come into its own over the past few decades and, while not a fringe genre, many authors have had mainstream success. Of course this has not always been the case. Most nineteenth century authors, artists, and poets were apt to keep their lives secret or very quiet, often marrying and having families as would have been expected. Oscar Wilde is probably most famous for his lifestyle, which eventually led to serving time in prison. However, Wilde wrote one of his most moving and enlightened works at this time, “De Profundis”. Authors such as Melville and Mann, of whom it is unclear of their sexual orientation, created characters that explored their sexuality on the page. In the twentieths century, some author’s such as Capote were openly gay, while others still conformed to a heterosexual lifestyle, only to come out later in life. Some writers like Elizabeth Bishop did not hide their sexuality, but did not focus on it either. Bishop wanted to be judged solely as an artist, regardless of her gender or orientation.
The books on display are just a sampling of titles. For a more complete list of LGBT works, check out this site, or ask a librarian!
~Display and blog post by Donna Guerin, Reference Associate