GLBTRT Newsletter

A publication of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered Round Table of the American Library Association http://www.ala.org/glbtrt

Vol. 22, No. 4 ◊ Winter 2010 Reviews (Pages 5 -13): Youth Media Awards to Include Stonewall Films  Changing House Another The American Library Association (ALA) will  Choice of Love prestigious provide a free live webcast of its Youth Media honor is  No Regret Awards. The number of available connections joining the for the Webcast are limited and the  Plan B likes of the broadcast is available on a first-come, first- Newbery and served basis. Online visitors can view the live  Searching for Caldecott Webcast the morning of the Sandeep Medals-the announcements. Those interested in Stonewall following the action live should bookmark  in an Epidemic Children's and http://alawebcast.unikron.com . There is an Young Adult additional link to the webcast from the  Swimming with Literature GLBTRT website http://www.ala.org/ala/ Lesbians Award, which mgrps/rts/glbtrt/index.cfm. recognizes an  Training Rules English-language children's book "of The award is administered by the ALA's exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian,  We Have to Stop Stonewall Book Awards Committee of the bisexual, and transgendered experience." The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Now Stonewall Awards for adult books have been Round Table. The members of the 2011 Young Adult around since 1971, and the youth award was Stonewall Book Awards Committee are: presented for the first time in 2010 to The Vast Chair Lisa Johnston of Sweet Briar College  Dumb Jock Fields of Ordinary by Nick Burd, published by in Virginia; W. Stephen Breedlove of the Penguin Group. Non-fiction Connelly Library at La Salle University in Philadelphia; Amanda Clay of Lakeview  The Canadian War Each year the American Library Association Elementary School in Norman, OK.; Dave on Queers (ALA) honors books and media for children and Combe of Ventura County Library in teens. Recognized worldwide for the high California; Lewis Day of Houghton Library  Coming Out, Coming quality they represent, the ALA Youth Media at Harvard University; Sharon Flesher- In Awards guide parents, educators, librarians and Duffy of Nashua High School Media Center others in selecting the best materials for youth. in NH; Roland Hansen, of Columbia College  Grant Wood, A Life Selected by committees composed of librarians Library in Chicago; Analisa Ornelas of and other literature and media experts, the Innovative Interfaces in San Francisco;  Inseparable awards encourage original and creative work in Stephen Patrick of Jonesborough, TN; the field of children‘s and young adult literature Jason Phillips of Georgetown University in  Loving Someone and media. The award announcements are Washington, D.C.; Roseann Szalkowski of Gay made as part of the ALA Midwinter Skokie Public Library in Illinois; Gypsey Meeting, held in 2011 at the San Diego Teague of Clemson University in South  Queering The Text Convention Center from January 7 to 11. The Carolina; Corwin Watts of Lincoln Public  Quench award announcements will be made at 7:45 Schools in Nebraska; and Rose Yndigoyen a.m. PST. of St. Joseph's College in Brooklyn, NY. Fiction  Ask the Fire  Bashed  Best Gay Stories 2009 Deadlines for the newsletter for the next year will be:  I Came Out for This?

Spring 2011 March 15, 2011 Summer 2011 May 20, 2011 Fall 2011 August 31, 2011 Winter 2010 November 30, 2011

Please try to get your reports, articles, book reviews, etc. in by these dates or let us know if there will be a short delay so room can be saved for them in the newsletter.

Page 2 Volume 22 Number 4

Kid Stuff About young readers for people who care

We have come a long way since the initial ala/mgrps/rts/glbtrt/popularresources/ Frequently, collection development requires Kid Stuff column almost four months ago. bullying.cfm positive reviews about books on a purchase Although bullying has long been a serious list. In addition to being recommended in problem for LGBTQ youth, mainstream We all know that support for LGBTQ youth this bibliography, the titles are identified America came to notice this after high- is vital. The California Endowment funded with any YALSA awards or recommended profile suicides and homicides in late study, ―Family Acceptance in Adolescence lists. The last chapter, ―LGBTQ Collection summer and early fall. The tragedy of Tyler and the Health of LGBT Young Adults,‖ Development,‖ includes specifics about Clementi, 18-year-old Rutgers University published in the Journal of Child and handling challenges to these books. This freshman and talented violinist who jumped Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, finally guide is new, but as it ages, librarians can to his death after videos of his intimate proves a clear link between accepting find information about more recent books relationship with another man were put on familial attitudes and behaviors toward their from the list of resources such as The Trevor the internet was the most public, but other lesbian, gay, bisexual, and Project, which has an excellent bibliography suicides occurred in September because of children and prevention of depression, of its own. -identity persecution. Raymond substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, and Chase, 19; Seth Walsh, 13; Asher Brown, suicide attempts in early adulthood. LGBT When adding titles to the purchasing list, I 13; and Bill Lucas Greensberg, 15 are also youth with highly accepting families have highly recommend two books that vividly to be remembered as are 14-year-old shown significantly higher levels of self- illustrate the pain suffered by young people freshman Brandon Bitner, who jumped in esteem and social support in young in identifying an alternative gender identity. front of a tractor truck in the early morning adulthood. http://www.365gay.com/news/ The first, Kicked Out, made me cry. The 25- of November 5, and 18-year-old Joshua study-finds-that-family-acceptance-could- year-old editor, Sassafras Lowrey, has Wilkerson, 18, who was beaten to death save--youths/ collected the voices of current homeless and then burned in a hate crime on LGBTQ youth (currently comprising 40% of November 16. Librarians can be a major source in helping all our country‘s homeless youth) and older young LGBTQ people through sharing books people who share their stories of survival Tragically, authorities who should help with alternative gender identities as an and abuse after identifying their gender LGBTQ youth fail to support them. A Yale accepted part of their world. The best identity with parents. Tales of power gained University study published in Pediatrics starting place to locating such books, of from the struggles of finding families blend reports that lesbian, gay, and bisexual course, is the annual bibliographies from with journeys through the pain of physical adolescents are 40 times more likely than GLBTRT‘s own Rainbow Project and its new and emotional rejection that leads to their straight peers to be punished by Stonewall award. attempted suicide, prostitution, drugs, and schools, law enforcement agencies, and deadly diseases. The impact of reading these courts. Lesbian and bisexual girls are two to Adding to GLBTRT‘s lists, which include only narratives cannot be described; the book three times more likely to face unequal books copyrighted within the past six years, must be experienced. I thank Homofactus punishment—suspensions, expulsions, is Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Press for publishing Kicked Out. arrests and convictions, and police stops— Questioning Teen Literature: A Guide to than heterosexual girls. This disparity is not Reading Interests by Carlisle K. Webber. In Another book, also for both young people a result of higher rates of misbehavior this slim 131-page volume, seven chapters, and adults, describes one person‘s journey. among nonheterosexual youth: violent arranged by genre and subject, provide In Vivek Shraya‘s God Loves Hair, illustrated behavior is actually less prevalent among summaries, suggestions for each book‘s by Juliana Newfeld, short vignettes nonheterosexual students than audience, and key words for about 300 accompanied by poignant, sometimes heterosexual students. books. Entries include reading levels from abstract illustrations, show a young boy‘s middle school through adult/young adult, confusion about sexuality, gender, race, The up-side is that activists are working to and a list of terms explains not only religion, and belonging as he struggles with combat this loss of valuable young people. traditional ones such as but (as he describes it) growing up brown, Dan Savage has created ―It Gets Better emerging forms of literature such as pretty, and soft. Shraya says that he Project,‖ a resource of videos from adults, and new terms for specific manga. couldn‘t find himself represented in LGBT and straight, telling how being LGBT (In another Libraries Unlimited publication, literature, so he wrote his own story. He also does get better and better. GLBTRT also Martha Cornog and Timothy Perper‘s published the book (godloveshair.com). stepped up to help. Speaking OUT is a list Graphic Novel beyond the Basics: Insights of resources about bullying with links to and Issues for Libraries, one of the No other subject matter relies so heavily on resources for kids in trouble and the people appendices focuses on LGBTQ graphic small presses. For example, three-fourths of who care about them. http://www.ala.org/ narratives.) the nomination list for the first Over the Rainbow Project (LGBT books for adults) come from small presses or are self- GLBTRT Newsletter (ISSN 1533-7219) is an official publication of the Gay, Les- published. These books are usually not bian, Bisexual, Transgendered Round Table of the American Library Association. It reviewed in major journals, and without appears quarterly in March, June, September, and January. reviews books tend not to be purchased. That makes it imperative for GLBTRT be an American Library Association advocate for these books. The young people in Kicked Out are just the tip of the iceberg 50 E. Huron St., of those who need advocates. LGBTQ books Chicago, IL 60611 for young people often end up in the adult section, and adolescents who passed YA Letters to the editor, correspondence to the above address care of: reading at the age of 14 need adult books suitable for them. Working with other ALA Sarah E. Wright groups—AASL, ALSC, OIF, PLA, RUSA, GLBTRT Newsletter Editor YALSA, etc.—can make this happen. More [email protected] about helping kids in the next column.

—Nel Ward ([email protected])

Volume 22, Number 4 Page 3

GLBTRT Midwinter Meeting Schedule 2011

Date Meeting Name Time Location

Rainbow Project Task Force/Committee 8 – 10am Hilton San Diego Bayfront (HIL), Room Sapphire H (SRRT All Task Forces Meeting)

Steering Committee I 8 – 10am Hilton San Diego Bayfront (HIL), Room Cobalt 500

All-Committees Meeting Time 10:30 – noon Hilton San Diego Bayfront (HIL), Room Cobalt 503

1:30 – Saturday, Over the Rainbow Committee I San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina (MAR), Room Torrey 2 January 8, 5:30pm 2011 1:30 – Rainbow Project Committee I Hilton San Diego Bayfront (HIL), Room cobalt 504 5:30pm

1:30 – Stonewall Book Awards Committee I (closed meeting) Hilton San Diego Bayfront (HIL), Room cobalt 505 5:30pm

6:00 – Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, Downtown Lounge GLBTRT Social 9:00pm 401 G Street, San Diego, CA 92101

Over the Rainbow Committee II 10:30 – noon San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina (MAR), Room Torrey 2

Rainbow Project Committee II 10:30 – noon Hilton San Diego Bayfront (HIL), Room Cobalt 504 Sunday, 1:30 – January 9, Rainbow Project Committee III Hilton San Diego Bayfront (HIL), Room Cobalt 504 3:30pm 2011 4:00 – Rainbow Project Committee IV Hilton San Diego Bayfront (HIL), Room Cobalt 504 5:30pm 4:00 – Stonewall Book Awards Committee II Hilton San Diego Bayfront (HIL), Room Cobalt 505 5:30pm

Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday 6:30 – Observance & Sunrise Celebration San Diego Convention Center (SDCC) Room: 02 Monday, 7:30am (SRRT/BCALA/ALA-OLOS, ALA) January 10, 2011 8:00 – Steering Committee II San Diego Convention Center (SDCC) Room: 27 B 10:00am

New Glee Poster from ALA Graphics

In August members of the GLBTRT contact with FOX publicity for a Glee cast discussed through both our listserv and poster. ALA connect a desire for ALA graphics to produce more GLBT products, noting the ALA Graphics has recently released the availability of the Rachel Maddow READ Glee READ poster and bookmark packs! posters. Several suggestions for ALA The poster captures characters Will graphics were listed on ALA connect Schuester (Matthew Morrison), Rachel including gay and lesbian parents read- Berry (Lea Michele), Finn Hudson (Cory ing to kids, group poster of great GLBT Monteith), Mercedes Jones (Amber Riley) writers in history for Pride month and and Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer) in the National Coming out day, and Chris stacks with a selection of their favorite Cofer and Jane Lynch of Glee. reads. And rounding out the line, the Glee Bookmark pack features the characters in Rachel Johnson, director of ALA graphics four different designs. responded to this discussion, reminding GLBTRT members that posters depicting Find the ―Glee‖ poster and bookmark at Margaret Cho, Tim Gunn and David Se- the ALA Store where your purchases fund daris were still available. She remarked advocacy, awareness and the glee of read- further that Graphics had been in ing.

Page 4 Volume 22 Number 4

Member Profile: Zeke White

is getting information and/or materials to Isabel Wilkerson customers. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks: I also think ―working the desk‖ makes  me a better Cataloger. In observing a Rebecca Skloot wide-range of search methods, I‘m able to make better (more user-based) The Possessed: Adventures with Russian cataloging decisions. Books and the People who Read Them: Elif Batuman Did/do you have a mentor? What's the best part about being a member of the GLBTRT? I don‘t have any former mentors but I‘ve certainly been heavily influenced by a Due to their size, I often find the ALA few people, mostly from my MLIS conferences to be overwhelming. It‘s easy program. University of Alabama to get lost in the shuffle. Working within a Reference Librarian, Brett Spencer comes smaller organization like the GLBTRT to mind. He is, without question, the allows me to meet new people and work most passionate reference librarian I‘ve on issues I care about in the process. I‘m ever met. He led the Graduate on the Rainbow Project Committee this Assistantship Program for a few MLIS year; it‘s been a great experience. I‘ve students. The Program was well over been exposed to lots of new authors and three years ago and I still call upon that I‘m working with some excellent experience and often try to channel committee members. I can‘t wait to Brett‘s passion and energy. actually meet everyone at MidWinter. Dr. Elizabeth Aversa is another informal mentor. She is the Director of UA‘s MLIS Social networks-yes or no? (LJ, When or how did you know you program. She has incredible vision and is Blogger, Second Life, WoW, MySpace, wanted to work in the library field? able to successfully combine passionate etc.)

librarianship with a savvy business sense. She‘s able to retain the soul of I‘m a heavy Goodreads user. LOVE it. I I am a somewhat late arrival to the library librarianship and be smart about it, in prefer it to all other Social network sites. world. I‘ve always loved libraries, the process. I‘m able to learn about books I‘d not information and books but pursuing a previously heard about and I love seeing career as a librarian didn‘t really occur to Do you have any heroes in library what other people are reading. Feel free to me until fairly recently. While living in land? friend me! Atlanta, I decided to start my MLIS through the University of Alabama‘s (UA) , for her amazing dedication I‘m an occasional Facebook user. I have a online program, and then finished-up on like/hate relationship with it. Sometimes I campus. to , Sanford Berman for his tireless commitment to social check it multiple times every day, then I need a break from it and won‘t check it for What was your first library (or library- justice and for his work in making LC subject headings less racist, sexist, weeks. related) job? homophobic, etc. I think I may have a Twitter account but What are you reading right now? have never used it. Maybe I‘m missing My first library job was as a part-time something…. student assistant at the University of Would you recommend it?

Alabama‘s Music Library. It was a great Anything else you'd like to add? first gig because I got to do a little bit of everything. I‘m not reading anything right now that I would heartily recommend but I will I‘m looking forward to MidWinter this year. Tell us about your current job. mention a few favorites from 2010 (in no particular order): I‘ve never attended MidWinter and never been to San Diego, so two firsts for me! I was mostly looking forward to warmer I‘m currently a Cataloger for Baltimore  Travels in Siberia: Ian Frazier weather but it looks like it‘s actually not County Public Library. I also work as a going to be that warm in San Diego….but Reference Librarian at BCPL on weekends. at least it will be warmer than Baltimore! I like combining the behind-the scenes  Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter: aspect of cataloging with the immediacy of Tom Franklin direct public service. I tend to think of both functions as aiming toward the same goal, but just going about it differently. In both  The Warmth of Other Suns: The Reference and Cataloging, my primary goal Epic Story of America’s Great Migration

Build Your Vitae! Write Reviews or Articles for the GLBTRT Newsletter! To become a part of the team of reviewers that publish in the GLBTRT Newsletter, or to receive a copy of our guidelines for book reviews, email Book Review Editor Tracy Nectoux at: [email protected]. If journalism is more your style, send in articles about GLBT library services and collections in and around your community.

Volume 22, Number 4 Page 5

First Over the Rainbow Bibliography to be Released

In an attempt to answer the perennial nominated books are self-published or the category of short, illustrated books are question, ―are there any good gay books from small publishers which makes them Jeff Sheng‘s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, a book of that I might have wanted to read over the less obvious to potential readers than photography highlighting gay and lesbians last year,‖ the first Over the Rainbow book books from mainstream publishers. Even in the military, showing the loneliness and bibliography will be announced at the in recent years, larger publishers often anguish of these people forced to hide 2011 American Library Association‘s Mid- neglected to mention gay, bisexual, or their gender identity and Vivek Shraya‘s winter Meeting in San Diego. The mem- lesbian characters and content when ad- God Loves Hair, a picture book about a bers of the new ad hoc committee of ALA‘s vertising their books. The Over the Rain- gay boy whose parents immigrated to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender bow List can be used as an aide for read- Canada from India, telling the story of Round Table (GLBTRT) are in the final ers in locating these books and also as a growing up ―different.‖ process of evaluating 138 books chosen collection development tool for libraries. from over 300 titles that were initially For your reading pleasure, the entire list of examined. This first list will include books published nominated books is available at http:// during the 18 months prior to January www.glbtrt.ala.org/overtherainbow/ In announcing the new GLBTRT Stonewall 2011. It is intended to help librarians and Children‘s and Young Adult Literature readers in selecting quality books and may WE ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR VOLUN- Award, ALA President Roberta Stevens be used as a collection development, TEERS—IF YOU’RE INTERESTED, said, ―Our nation is one of diverse cultures reader‘s advisory tool, and recommended PLEASE FILL OUT A GLBTRT COMMIT- and lifestyles, and it is important for par- reading list for interested librarians and TEE VOLUNTEER FORM ONLINE: ents, educators, and librarians to have patrons. http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/rts/ access to quality children‘s books that glbtrt/committees/form.cfm represent a spectrum of cultures.‖ It is Nominated books vary from memoirs and equally important that adults have access biographies to such genre fiction as mys- The 2011 Over the Rainbow committee is to books that also provide this representa- teries and . Sequels include comprised of Arla Jones (Chair), Law- tion: this is the goal of the Over the Rain- Poppy Brite‘s stories about New Orleans rence, Kan.; Jane Cothron, Newport, bow Project. chefs and J.M. Redmann‘s mystery featur- OR.; Cecil Hixon, New York, NY.; Brent ing Micky Knight, a New Orleans PI. An Husher, Kansas City, MO.; Jesse Although GLBTQ books have a long pub- amazing number of quality biographies Nachem, Oakland, CA; Danielle Pollock, lishing history, most have been hidden published during the past 18 months fea- Albuquerque, NM; Larry Romans, Nash- from view, refused entry into libraries, or ture E.M. Forster, W. Somerset Maugham, ville, TN; and Nel Ward, Newport, OR. miscataloged so that lgbtq content is ob- Vincente Minnelli, Patricia High Smith, scured. For this first list about 75% of the Samuel Steward, and Evelyn Waugh. In

Film Reviews

Changing House Dir. Z.A. Mortahardjono. Frameline. 2009. 18 min. $50.00

Rusty and Chelsea set out to make their The interviews with the women living in Transy House a safe, welcoming commu- Transy House, including trans activist nity for trans women in crisis. Single-sex Sylvia Rivera, are well done and moving. shelters are often unable or unwilling to The documentary is a tribute to the cou- accommodate and guarantee the safety of ple, and to the supportive, activist history transgender people, so Transy House of the house. Changing House is recom- became a rare place where trans women mended for libraries with deep GLBT and on the streets could find refuge. Unfortu- documentary collections. nately, the home became a victim of its own success, taking in more women than it could sustainably hold (and more than the couple could handle). Reviewed by, Nicole Pasini Management Analyst - Training and Staff Development San Mateo County Library Changing House chronicles the end of Transy House, a communal living space for transgender women in Brooklyn.

Page 6 Volume 22 Number 4

Choice of Love. Dirs. Eirik Andreas Sandaker. Frameline, 2009. 35 min. $125.00.

The Choice of Love Much of the film is spent with Kaltham Love is a quick 35 minutes, and does not opens with the Alexander Lie, the first openly gay Muslim examine why homosexuality is taboo to director, Eirik in Norway. In addition to facing many Muslims. A Jihad for Love (First Andreas Sandaker, persecution in his native Iraq, Lie also Run Features, 2008) and Gay Muslims acknowledging encounters opposition from Muslims in (Channel 4, 2006) would make better, that his experience Norway, and his candid recounting of his more substantive choices for most library as a gay man in experiences is moving. collections. Norway has been relatively easy, and that is why he is Sandaker also interviews another young Reviewed by, Nicole Pasini interested in better understanding the gay Muslim, who was persecuted in Management Analyst - Training and Staff experiences of gay Muslims in Norway. Somali and fears returning. The Choice of Development San Mateo County Library

No Regret (Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien). Dir. Marlon T. Riggs. San Francisco, Frameline, 1992. DVD. $24.99. 38 min.

Although homophobic reactions from both white Williams, and Donald Woods) speak originally conservatives and black activists. As he frankly and movingly to the camera released in told Out/look magazine in 1991, "When about their self-transformation in dealing 1992, this is nobody speaks your name, or even with the impact of the AIDS epidemic on a newly knows it, you, knowing it, must be the them personally and on their remastered first to speak it. When the existing communities. This is an affordable DVD version history and culture do not acknowledge addition to any library, though I would of Marlon and address you--do not see or talk to encourage purchasing ―Tongues Untied‖ Riggs‘ short you--you must write a new history, shape and ―Ethnic Notions‖ along with it. reflection on AIDS through the stories of a new culture, that will." five sero-positive black gay men. Riggs Reviewed by, Morgan Gwenwald was an important ―cultural agitator‖ Using poetry and music, as well as candid SUNY New Paltz whose best known work ―Tongues Untied‖ interviews, these men (Michael Lee, won numerous awards and stirred up Joseph Long, Assoto Saint, Reggie

Plan B. Dir. Marco Berger. With Manuel Vignau, Lucas Ferraro. Spanish with English subtitles. Wolfe Video, 2010. DVD. 103 min. $19.95.

After his sleepovers and would stay up late and Lucas Ferraro (Pablo) give sensitive, girlfriend, Laura, chat with their friends for hours. unselfconscious performances. The final starts seeing Becoming enraptured by their boyish sequence of the film, in which Bruno and another man, friendship, Bruno at one point asks Pablo, Pablo manage to cast off the ―wit and Bruno decides to ―If you were a toy, which one would you rhetorical expertise‖ and achieve an get revenge. be?‖ While stoned, the two engaging honest resolution to their relationship is Laura still sleeps young men ingeniously deconstruct Peter well worth the wait. with Bruno Pan and Neverland.. But eventually, in occasionally; but the words of the director, ―what started The young Argentinians portrayed in Plan when his efforts out as a joke derails.‖ B did not experience the dictatorship. to get her to They have the freedom to question exclusively commit to him fail, Bruno Astute European reviewers have cultural and sexual restrictions. In 2009, comes up with what he calls Plan B. observed that Plan B, even with its Argentina lifted its ban on gays in the Having heard gossip (incorrect we find Buenos Aires location, is like the military and in 2010 became the first out later) that Pablo, Laura‘s new comedies of Marivaux (1688-1763), the Latin American country to allow same-sex boyfriend, had slept with a man, Bruno French playwright, in which a ―mental marriage. decides to make everyone think that he ‗game‘ not only serves as a delaying and Pablo are a couple. This brief tactic [between two people], for neither With each viewing of Plan B nuances of synopsis of the plot might imply that this really wants to admit loving the other, dialogue and acting will be discovered film is shallow fluff, the kind of film but by dealing with every aspect of love that were not noticed before. This film is Americans would probably make from except love itself, it becomes a contest in highly recommended to sophisticated such a story. However, Plan B is not your wit and rhetorical expertise‖ (Felicia viewers and to academic libraries that typical rom-com or bromance. Sturzer, ―‗Marivaudage‘ as Self- collect quality GLBT films. Representation,‖ The French Review 49, Bruno initially gets close to Pablo when no. 2 (1975): 217). Reviewed by, W. Stephen Breedlove they bond over Blind, a TV show with Reference and Interlibrary Loan Librarian which they are both obsessed. Then, at The finesse with which Berger, who also La Salle University Library Pablo‘s invitation, Bruno starts staying wrote the script, and his actors pull off over—platonically. They reminisce about this complicated ―marivaudage‖ is when they were twelve years old and did astonishing. Manuel Vignau (Bruno) and

Volume 22 Number 4 Page 7

Searching 4 Sandeep. Dir. Poppy Stockwell. New York: Women Make Movies, 2007. DVD. 55 min.

This they hit it off face-to-face? Indeed, Poppy distance and cross-cultural relationships. documentary moves across the globe to be with follows the Sandeep, who must finally come out to People both queer and straight will progression of a her family. identify with Poppy and Sandeep‘s relationship struggle to navigate a new partnership. between two Filmed entirely by the two women Some explicit language. Appropriate for women, one an themselves, some of the camerawork is any large public library collection. out surfer in shaky and the editing choppy. Besides Sydney and the other a closeted Sikh in presenting a narrative of successful Reviewed by, Kelly McElroy England. Poppy and Sandeep meet online online dating, the film raises issues of Out on the Shelves Library and, after months of text messages and coming out, family acceptance, and long- Vancouver, BC phone calls, finally meet in person. Will

Sex in an Epidemic. Dir. Jean Carlomusto. New York, Outcast Films, 2010. DVD. $24.99. 70 min.

This engaging documentary examines, abstinence-based sex education. This Thanks to Jean Carlomusto‘s video through interviews and media footage, video provides a frank view of the footage from two decades as an AIDS the impact of AIDS on the struggle of activists, educators, and activist, this documentary is incredibly gay, Latino, and African- medical people, including Joe Sonnebend, rich with first-hand accounts and historic American communities and Michael Callen, Richard Berkowitz, protests. There isn‘t a clearer, more the efforts of sex educators Michael Shernoff, Rodger McFarlane, honest video of this important--and still and activists to promote the Larry Kramer, and Waheedah Shabezz El, challenging--story. It should be included concept of ―safe sex,‖ which to identify strategies to deal with the in every library‘s video collection. More was invented as a response disease and the difficulty of addressing than 1 million people in the US are to the AIDS crisis. sexual practices in the gay community. It currently living with AIDS. shows the growth and impact of Act Up Carolmusto presents the and Gay Men‘s Health Crisis as the Reviewed by, Morgan Gwenwald unfolding story from the early days of the community fought against the silence and SUNY New Paltz epidemic in New York City at the height inaction of the Reagan and Bush of the ―sexual revolution‖ to the Bush administrations. administration‘s increased funding for

Swimming With Lesbians. Dir. David B. Marshall. With: Madeline Davis, et al. San Francisco: Frameline, 2009. DVD. $250 (discounted pricing available for K-12 schools, public libraries, and small nonprofits). 67 min.

Swimming with Lesbians follows author, issues about the institutional protection of songwriter, and activist Madeline Davis as The title of the film refers to actual gay and lesbian materials, including a scene she works to build an archive of LGBTQ swimming; Davis moved out to the Buffalo with a group of archivists from Buffalo State history. In her suburbs so she could have a swimming College who become noticeably seminal 1993 pool, and invites her friends over to swim uncomfortable as Davis describes the book Boots of because she believes that lesbians don‘t contents of her collections. Leather, care what anyone else looks like. Those Slippers of ideas of welcoming and acceptance are This film depicts, in Davis‘ words, ―a working Gold, Davis integral to the film‘s focus on the class, impoverished rust belt city on the immortalized importance keeping a community alive edge of the Midwest,‖ a part of New York the Buffalo, through the power of collective memory. that did not immediately see the effects of New York lesbian community of the mid- The film also explores the ability of physical Stonewall. It reminds us of a time when 20th century. Years later, Davis items to embody those memories and to coming out was literally an issue of life and continues to work to document the help us know people long after their death. death, when gay rights marches were faced history of the Western New York LGBTQ with citizens armed with chains and bricks. community by building and maintaining At times, the film is extremely personal; an archive of letters, photographs, and Davis shares details of her S/M identity and Swimming with Lesbians is recommended, other ephemera in the basement of her sheds tears as she talks about friends who as the film itself plays a role in keeping home. The film mixes interview (with have passed on. While in some cases the these memories alive. both Davis and other members of that dramatic reading of archived materials can community), footage of Davis collecting be somewhat overwrought, these personal Reviewed by, Caitlin Shanley and discussing the materials in the elements lend depth to the film, and remind Instructional Design and Technology archive, and readings of some of the us of the power of the personal to be Librarian materials from her collection. political. The film also raises important University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Page 8 Volume 22 Number 4 Training Rules. Dirs. Dee Mosbacher and Fawn Yacker. Wolf Video, 2010. DVD. 61 min.

―No drinking. No drugs. No lesbians.‖ Narrated by long distance swimmer Diana homophobia and homophobic policies These three ―training Nyad, Training Rules is a moving negatively affects all athletes. rules‖ defined coach documentary providing interviews with Rene Portland‘s Penn women who were coached and dismissed This title is highly recommended for all State women‘s by Portland during her twenty-seven year libraries. basketball program. tenure at Penn State (1980-2007). Many Not until a lawsuit of these women lost their scholarships, Disclosure: Reviewer attended Penn State brought by a former their dreams, and part of their lives while when Portland was the women’s basketball player did the Penn the campus administration and the NCAA coach. State administration turned a blind eye and deaf ear, even even feign addressing after Portland‘s ―rules‖ became public in a Reviewed by, Amy Hribar Portland‘s homophobic newspaper interview. Such complicit Science Librarian and discriminatory homophobia in women‘s sports is not University of Minnesota behavior. new, nor is it unique to Penn State. Training Rules demonstrates how

We Have to Stop Now. Dir. Robyn Dettman. With. Jill Bennett, Cathy DeBuono, Suzanne Westenhoefer, Anne Noble. Wolf Video, 2010. DVD. 73 min.

Marriage is not an effortless, easy by comedian Susan Westenhoefer. To interactions and the how intentionally relies endeavor, as evidenced by the dozens of make things worse, the popularity of their on clichés to demonstrate the absurdity marriage self-help books currently book has spurred a documentary about that often transpires between partners. available. So when successful therapists the couple ―walking their talk.‖ The film and partners Kit (Jill Bennett) and Dyna crew follows Kit and Dyna day and night, We Have To Stop Now is a subscription-only (Cathy DeBuono) co- never giving them a chance to let down webisodic ―romantic dramedy.‖ Despite the author a best-selling their guards, and fuels the increasing segmented nature of the show, the story marriage manual, it tension between them. flows smoothly and the series has received is inevitable that positive press. We Have To Stop Now is a their own marriage In contrast to the idealistic Kit and uptight fun film; not a must-buy, but recommended begins to fail. In Dyna is Kit‘s seemingly less-than-serious viewing if the budget allows. order to keep up stoner sister who provides comic relief as appearances and she offers keen observations to and about Reviewed by, Amy Hribar avoid all three therapists. Mercury must be in Science Librarian embarrassment, Kit and Dyna begin retrograde as Kit and Dyna‘s relationship University of Minnesota couples counseling with a therapist played is at one point reduced to annoying, petty Book Reviews: Young Adult Erno, Jeff. Dumb Jock. Xlibris Corp., 2009. paperback. 197p. $19.99. ISBN: 1441508147.

Fourteen-year-old Jeff Irwin two teens develop a friendship that quickly characters make this a realistic novel. is slightly built, geeky, and turns sexual and the tables turn. Jeff goes Despite the mild dominant/submissive timid—a social outcast who‘s from being the teacher to the submissive theme, the sex is mostly left to the the last to be picked on any as he services Brett after each study imagination, making it suitable for team. Not surprisingly, he‘s session. Brett needs to be worshiped, and adolescents, as well as adults. For example, smart and makes good Jeff needs to feel safe and protected. one sexual encounter is described simply as grades. He‘s also in awe of ―I knelt.‖ Although the book‘s happy ending jocks, one football player in In a compelling boy-meets-boy, boy-loses- may be a , the romance of Dumb particular. Brett Willson is the seventeen- boy coming-of-age story, Jeff is faced with Jock will appeal to those who enjoy gay year-old ―dumb jock,‖ the star many obstacles: abandonment by his coming-of-age stories. Libraries with quarterback who drives a sports car, has a alcoholic father, the death of his mother, comprehensive LGBTQ fiction collections beautiful girlfriend, and is Homecoming and the firing of his favorite teacher should purchase this title. King. Yet, Brett is still insecure and has a because he‘s gay. Brett is very supportive, strong need to be admired by the smaller kind, and caring during these tragedies, The Trevor Project, a national organization boy. The two teens are brought together but he‘s also very afraid of coming out of dedicated to ending suicide among LGBTQ when the gym teacher and football coach, the closet. He keeps his girlfriend and youth, has selected Dumb Jock for its Mr. McDonald, threatens to fail Jeff in PE ignores Jeff in school, and he succumbs to bibliography ―Books for Young Gay Men.‖ unless he tutors Brett, and promises to the pressures to be ―normal.‖ Over time, it give Jeff an A if Brett succeeds. becomes difficult to identify which boy is Reviewed by, Larry Romans It turns out that Brett wants to learn and strong and which is weak. Head, Government Information and Media starts doing well in the English Grammar Services; class that he‘s already failed twice. The The well-crafted plot, and well-developed Vanderbilt University Libraries

Volume 22 Number 4 Page 9

Book Reviews: Non-fiction Kinsman, Gary and Patrizia Gentile. The Canadian War on Queers: National Security as Sexual Regulation. Vancouver: UBC Press, 2010. 584p. $37.95. paperback. ISBN: 978-07748-1627-1.

Gary Kinsman‘ and on state actions, its detailed chronology, more critical stance toward the Canadian Patrizia Gentile‘s The and its use of interviews with many who lost government‘s present position on gay Canadian War on Queers their positions within the Canadian civil rights. is a well documented and service and military. Its weakness is its detailed sociological disparate use of social theory. As the Any library holding Warner should history of the Canadian authors claim, it is clearly a ―history from purchase this text, and any library national security below.‖ interested in modern Canadian history organizations‘ might want to purchase both. It may also surveillance, The book also succeeds in many places as be of interest to scholars doing a investigation, and an ―institutional ethnography.‖ However, comparative analysis of United States and harassment of gays, despite a theoretical chapter in which both Canadian legal treatment of gays, lesbians, lesbians, and bisexuals Foucault and a queer form of historical and bisexuals. from the 1950s to recent years. It materialism are referenced, these concentrates largely on the activities of the approaches appear to play little role in the Reviewed by, David Woolwine Royal Canadian Mounted Police, but the actual account. That being said, the work Axinn Library actions of other federal, military, provincial, makes a great complement to Tom Warner‘s Hofstra University and local authorities are also recounted. 2002 Never Going Back: A History of Queer Activism in Canada, precisely because of the The strengths of the book are its emphasis emphasis on national security actors and its

Goldman, Linda. Coming Out, Coming In: Nurturing the Well-Being and Inclusion of Gay Youth in Mainstream Society. New York: Routledge, 2008. Paperback. 339p. $29.95. ISBN: 978-0415958240.

In Coming Out, Coming In, Goldman offers intervention strategies for This book is relevant for anyone connected Linda Goldman presents those working with LGBT youth, and has to gay youth, be they family members, the dichotomy of ―coming compiled important information for those friends, educators, counselors, and spiritual out,‖ meaning to disclose who know or work with gay youth and who and religious organizations. It concludes by one‘s sexual orientation to want to support them in their transition offering resources that include books, others and ―coming in,‖ from a life of exclusion to one of inclusion. magazines, school curricula, LGBT support meaning to then move services and organizations, websites, and a forward into a life of self- Goldman goes into great detail on ways to list of welcoming religious and spiritual acceptance and equality in provide advocacy in school settings, and groups. mainstream society. In other words, it is the includes a section for those in the process of moving from a state of exclusion counseling profession and another that‘s Coming Out, Coming In is recommended (being on the outside of society) to one of directed towards family members of LGBT for academic and public libraries. inclusion: being a full and equal member of youth. She also provides several vignettes society, and not being limited by the self- of youths‘ coming out stories in order to Reviewed by, Rachael Elrod disclosure of coming out. show allies what it‘s like to be a gay youth. Reference and Instruction Librarian The Citadel

R. Tripp Evans. Grant Wood: A Life. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2010. hardcover. 402p. $37.50. ISBN: 987-0-307-26629-3.

As much art criticism as fallen into some obscurity. rearing experts of the day deplored kindness biography, this new life of to animals as unmanly, and an interest in Grant Wood attempts to Wood was born in 1891 in a small Iowa books, music, and art were taken as signs return a once-celebrated farming community. The son of a strict that a boy dwelled too much in the feminine artist to his rightful place as Quaker who banned fairy tales and children‘s sphere. Wood‘s mother, meanwhile, provided a major figure in twentieth literature from the home, the imaginative him with a private space beneath the kitchen century American art. While and unathletic boy had the further table where he could draw his pictures American Gothic remains an misfortune of growing up in an era when unseen. He was ten when his father‘s death enduring monument, masculinity was undergoing a strict made such subterfuge unnecessary. Wood‘s other work has redefinition by the culture at large. Child- (Continued page 10)

Page 10 Volume 22, Number 4

R. Tripp Evans. Grant Wood: A Life. (continued)

Evans makes much of these beginnings, representation of male buttocks, and phallic art establishment, Wood fell into line and scrutinizing a lifetime‘s worth of paintings symbols occur everywhere. commended Benton‘s remarks as ―healthful through a distinctly Freudian lens. The commentary.‖ index is replete with entries referring to Lest the reader think this is all too much, castration, impotence, and incest – Evans turns defensive, writing, ―I would Throughout Grant Wood: A Life, Evans relies instances of Wood‘s private and (Evans argue that such a reaction only highlights on Wood‘s unfinished autobiography and the acknowledges) perhaps unconscious our conscious resistance to the psyche‘s raw memoirs of the artist‘s sister where they iconography. The subject of Victorian and anarchic operations. My readings conform to his surmises, and dismisses Survival, a portrait in which Wood endows attempt to record what I perceive in Wood‘s them where they do not. Ultimately, it his great aunt with an elongated neck and mind‘s eye.‖ seems that Grant Wood has been made to velvet choker, ―embodies a tumescence serve someone else‘s purposes once again. that can be maintained only by a choking The discussion of Wood‘s place at the cock ring.‖ Writing about Parson Weems’ forefront of the Regionalist movement of the Includes 26 color plates, 88 black and white Fable, which depicts the young 1930s is more illuminating. Upheld in some illustrations, 62 pages of notes, an index, Washington, his father, and the cherry tree, quarters as the very embodiment of and a bibliography. Evans points out that Washington‘s hatchet wholesome rural American ideals, he was Recommended for libraries with a strong aims at his father‘s shadow at the level of praised in others as an irreverent satirist interest in American art or with extensive the genitals. The slaves in the background skewering those same ideals, the visual GLBT collections. symbolize mother-son incest -- a reflection equivalent of H. L. Mencken. A public of Wood‘s guilty loyalty to his mother. The acknowledgment of his homosexuality would Reviewed by, Joyce Meggett slaves‘ skin color is, moreover, a reference have meant disaster, and when fellow Division Chief for Humanities to Wood‘s father, as it ―evokes the color of Regionalist Thomas Hart Benton ranted in Chicago Public Library death.‖ The rolling hills of Wood‘s print against the ―pansies‖ and ―precious landscapes are invariably a fetishistic fairies‖ who had taken over the New York Donoghue, Emma. Inseparable: Desire Between Women in Literature. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2010. hardcover. 271p. $27.95. ISBN: 9780307270948.

Inseparable is a brilliant, Travesties, Inseparables, Rivals, Monsters, There are a number of illustrations scholarly exploration of how Detection, and Out, and explore how these included and a selected bibliography that is desire between women has plots have changed from generation to arranged by the date of composition ―so as been portrayed in the past three generation, reflecting their times and to provide a timeline of desire between centuries in English literature. culture. Writers from Ovid, Chaucer and women in literature.‖ identifies six Shakespeare, to Bronte and Dickens, from motifs that have been used to Zola, Collette, and Radclyffe Hall to Patricia Inseparable addresses an overlooked tell these tales of attraction Highsmith, Jewelle Gomez, and Ali Smith literary tradition and is a necessary between women—attractions are included. Herself a talented novelist addition to every collection on English that are not always lesbian, but often ignored and much-admired literary critic, Literature. and misinterpreted. Donoghue dissects this seemingly deep and dusty cannon in an engrossing and Reviewed by, Morgan Gwenwald Donoghue‘s motifs are arranged in chapters: amusing text. SUNY New Paltz

Clark, Don. Loving Someone Gay. Maple Shade, NJ: Lethe Press, 2009. Fifth edition. Hardcover. 285p. $40.00. ISBN: 978-159021-110-6.

First written over 20 years accessible to everyone. that outlines what educators and librarians ago, Loving Some Gay has Don Clark, a clinical psychologist, covers a can do to support gay people and provide become one of the most variety of topics from what it means to be gay the right information for the LGBT respected sources of and how this affects the development of a gay community. information about gay people person, to building support networks and for those who are not community for gay people, and detailed The fifth edition has been completely members of the gay information for professionals in the community rewritten and updated, but retains the community. Written in on how they can support and assist gay direct and honest tone of previous editions straightforward, non-clinical people. He also strives to move family and while adding new resources and language, it seeks to build understanding of friends from simple tolerance and information to the mix. Highly gay people in the ―straight‖ community and is understanding of LGBT persons, to love and recommended for all library collections. written for loved ones, friends, and colleagues acceptance of their gay son or daughter, best of gay people. As a starting point in bridging friend, or spouse. Reviewed by, Matthew P. Ciszek this communication and understanding gap, Head Librarian this book has earned a reputation for rich and Particularly useful for librarians is a chapter Penn State Shenango detailed information in a format and tone

Volume 22 Number 4 Page 11 Ramer, Andrew. Queering the Text: Biblical, Medieval, and Modern Jewish Stories. Maple Shade, NJ: Lethe Press, 2010. paperback. 278p. $20.00. ISBN: 978-1959021-183-1.

Co-facilitator for years of (among other sources), Ramer intends to Useful as a secondary source in study of a Queer Torah Study at show a new reading, with a queer-seeking biblical, medieval, and modern Jewish Congregation Sha‘ar eye, of the texts to bring out what he stories, this work would have, nonetheless, Zahav, in San Francisco, asserts is already there. been enhanced by its sources being and author of numerous indexed or labeled in the table of contents. books, including Angel While the title indicates a Jewish slant, this Additionally, the book is somewhat biased Answers and Revelations is not always easy to find, which makes the in that it focuses only on male for a New Millennium, as book appropriate for a wider range of homosexuality, yet this might be due to the well as a regular audience. Moreover, the interpretations are larger occurrences of this in the sources columnist for the gay not always glaringly homosexual, which than an intended lack of coverage. men‘s journal White provides opportunity for discussion that Crane, Andrew Ramer might appeal to those who are not Recommended for public and academic presents contemporary necessarily homosexual-friendly. The prose libraries. midrashim, or interpretative tales, on texts brings gay Jews, and others in the texts, to from the Old Testament, the ―Golden Age‖ life, portraying vivid and complex of Spain, and other strands of Jewish characters. tradition. Seekers of specifically or blatantly gay While the sources in Queering the Text are materials might be disappointed, but the Reviewed by, Sara Rofofsky Marcus Jewish, the narratives will appeal to anyone tasteful nature of this book lends itself well Queensborough Community College Library familiar with the Bible and other stories. to reading with others who might not be as Each entry begins with a quote from the approving of such a topic otherwise. Bible or source, followed by the narrative. Queering the Text is not for reading, Addressing homosexuality in the Bible and but rather for serious thought, and the religious aspects of homosexuality in knowledge of the source will help in Judaism, as well as providing gay understanding the narrative provided. interpretations of the Old Testament

Phillips, Keith J., ed. Quench! refreshing devotionals by gay, trans, and affirming Christians. A Be Still and Know book. Indianapolis: Found Pearl Press, 2009. paperback. $12.00. 286p. ISBN: 978-0971929623.

sincerity, and revelation. In ―Wings,‖ Julie Quench! is a Walsh invites us to let God cover us with approach that will resonate with readers, spiritually, uplifting, His wings when we are feeling sorrow, no matter their sexual orientation. and insightful opus upset, or hurt, instead of simply retreating Moreover, the echoing voices of the writers for anyone who is by withdrawing from family and friends: stand firm in their walk as spiritual warriors seeking "...it is under God's wings where we will who simply welcome diversity and understanding, discover protection and courage." champion independent thought. They sacred succeed in quenching the reader's spiritual enlightenment, and "Discernment is allowing the Holy Spirit to thirst by selflessly sharing their take on unconditional love lead, guide, and direct our paths." Robert what it means to be a follower of Jesus, from the Creator and Ferguson's ―On the Right Track‖ discusses particularly in this time of unrest all across also a deeper how it is easy to become distracted by the world. appreciation for oneself as a same gender things that are not of God, and how one of loving individual. The introspective his own biggest personal struggles is to Readers will be pleased to find an devotionals in this work were derived from worry. He points to Proverbs 3 that tells introduction, content page, and a page that an online devotional, Be Still and Know, individuals that "if we keep our minds explains how to use Quench! Also included which Jesus Metropolitan Community trained on the things of God, then our sleep are appendices consisting of prayer Church began producing in May of 2006. will be peaceful and our worries will seem suggestions, concise author bios, and unimportant." Ferguson ends this engaging indexes for topics, scripture, and author. Indeed, one of the keys to spiritual growth piety by reminding readers "to stay in touch and fulfillment is making the time to with God through study and prayer"; for Quench! is recommended for all library commune with our personal Higher Power. these age-old tools have proven to be collections, and especially for SGL adults To help people with this journey, Be Still extremely useful in one's hallowed journey. and teens 14 and up. and Know was created to facilitate this very powerful phase in our lives. By utilizing a The unequivocal passages written in this particular scripture that revolves around a book do not just speak to the restlessness Reviewed by Michelle D. Dartis, MLS weekly theme, the writers in Quench! take in the hearts and minds of some LGBT Indiana University, Indianapolis readers on a journey of self-discovery, people; they also take an affirmative

Page 12 Volume 22, Number 4

Book Reviews: Fiction Paddie, Dennis. Ask the Fire. Maple Shade, NJ: Lethe Press, 2010. paperback. 372p. $20.00. ISBN: 978-1-59021-248-6.

Ask the Fire is a complex novel that is set in characters. The most interesting and While interesting as an explanation of the summer of 2001 leading up to the complex is Sabine Horvath, a rich Texas Jew Jared‘s worldview, they sometimes interrupt terrorist attacks on September 11. Jared who is a longtime friend of Jared‘s and has the smooth flow of the narrative. Paddie Osborne, who came of age in the 1960s just moved to D.C. for social reasons related also offers very detailed descriptions of countercultural scene in to the incoming Bush administration. Sabine clothing, meals, furniture, and the layouts of Austin, Texas, is a CIA possesses an art collection that may or may homes, such as Sabine‘s mansion. These agent who has spent his not have been looted by the Nazis from also sometimes interrupt the narrative. career seducing secrets Jews during World War II. She also has from the Arabs. Now connections with Mossad, the Israeli Ask the Fire is at its heart a gay espionage living in the DuPont Circle intelligence agency. Other interesting novel. However, it is very detailed and area of Washington, D.C., characters include Moss Lake, Moss‘s sometimes convoluted. Esoteric knowledge Jared is targeted for boyfriends Robert Lambert, Faron Turpin, bordering on fantasy is an important part of assassination, and a and Selim Savify, CIA agents Webb Burns the work. I found it a hard read, but bodyguard, Moss Lake, is and Bronson Talbot, and Sabine‘s British art ultimately a fulfilling one. Ask the Fire is assigned to protect him. Jared is kidnapped curator Sir Quentin Upward. recommended for large public libraries and by an Arab faction, but is later released. those serving gay populations, as well as Using his experience and both past and Throughout the novel are references to academic libraries. recently acquired knowledge, Jared allows Freemasonry and its influence on the layout himself to be captured by another Arab of the streets and waterworks of D.C. Long Ask the Fire is also available in a Kindle group that appears to be readying itself for passages are dedicated to musings edition. something big. concerning the influence of Freemasonry, the Knights Templar, Hermes Trismegistus, Reviewed by, Paul Hubbard Retired Public Reference Librarian A Starbucks located on DuPont Circle serves tarot, reincarnation, and other esoteric as a meeting place for the novel‘s many subjects on gay men throughout history.

Reed, Rick R. Bashed: A Love Story. Albion, NY: MLR Press, 2009. paperback. 195p. $14.99. ISBN 978-1-60820-028-3.

A gripping thriller told from men wielding aluminum baseball bats. Donald The three points of view are interwoven to multiple points of view, Bashed survived, but Mark died from his injuries, create an action-based story that attempts delivers what readers have leaving Donald alone to process his grief, to illuminate some of the characters‘ come to expect from Rick R. anger, and fear. It is only when Mark‘s ghost darkest motivations. The violence is Reed: a violent and emotionally begins to visit him that Donald begins to heal. graphic, as is the sex, but neither is wrenching tale of realistic gratuitous. Fans of Reed‘s previous work horror. The story is told by Ronny, the primary assailant is a homophobic will find this story compelling and three characters: two sociopath, driven by fear and rage and satisfying. perpetrators of a horrifying hate determined to take the crime one step further. crime; and the man who survived the attack. Justin is a troubled sixteen-year-old who Bashed: A Love Story is recommended for realizes too late that his friends are murders. public libraries. Donald is a fifty-year-old gay man attempting He struggles with the weight of this to recover physically and emotionally from a knowledge and tries to find a way to make Reviewed by, S. Annelise Adams LII vicious assault. He and his partner Mark were amends. Chicago Public Library attacked on a dark Chicago street by three

Berman, Steve, ed. Best Gay Stories 2009. Maple Shade, NJ: Lethe Press, 2009. hardcover (also available as trade paperback). 281p. $25.00. ISBN: 978-1590211496.

These are great stories, well well as classic works of the occult & of the volume is the ordering of the stories, worth reading. Whether they are supernatural.‖ Several of the stories are which--for the most part--is chronological the best, others will determine in described as ―fantastical,‖ including Berman‘s by the age of the main characters, from the , but they were own story ―Kinder.‖ school boys through retired elderly men, selected from many by the including an elderly couple (together since editor Steve Berman, who Berman‘s introduction makes it clear that by 1956) one of whose members suffers from included one of his own. Berman ―gay‖ he means gay men; all the stories are Alzheimer‘s. founded Lethe Press, in 2001 to about gay boys and men. A few of the stories focus on ―speculative fiction, are by well-known authors, but most are by (Continued page 13) books of gay interest, poetry, spirituality, as lesser known writers. One interesting feature

Volume 22 Number 4 Page 13

Berman, Steve, ed. Best Gay Stories 2009. (Continued)

Style and themes are varied. The first story Some stories are sad; some are violent; a the ―best‖ gay stories, they are very good is rather stream of consciousness. A couple few are comical. And others are fun and and I recommend this anthology for any of the stories are autobiographical essays. joyful. library and any reader interested in But most are more conventional narratives. contemporary gay fiction of the shorter Themes run the gamut of gay life. The A nice feature of this collection is that, variety. younger boys suffer bullying and rejection unlike most anthologies, the reader doesn‘t and even rape, but some also advance have to skip to the end to learn about each Reviewed by, James D. Anderson toward coming out and enjoying gay life. author. Instead, very short bios precede Professor Emeritus Young and older men suffer--but also enjoy each story. Additionally, the stories are Rutgers University --the ups and downs of gay relationships. very well written and edited. Not a single AIDS is important in at least one story. typo was encountered. Even if these aren‘t

Gitlin, Lisa. I Came Out for This? Bywater Books, 2010. 280p. $14.95. ISBN: 978-1932859737

Lisa Gitlin‘s I Came Out able to let go of Terri, and in doing so she down the teeth gnashing diatribes by her for This? is a coming-out finds happiness with Kimba. Along the way, main character, which had become story with many of the the reader is introduced to a cadre of gay annoying. While the secondary characters typical clichés – first love and lesbian characters, ranging from street were sketched with broad strokes, Gitlin found and lost, one night thugs, Johnny and Guillermo, to Jerome (a manages to make them seem real and stands, and the second gay prostitute), Nicky (a lover of Jerome‘s), relevant to the main storyline. This is a lover standing by while Dee (an advocate of children in the foster good, solid first novel by the author. you work out the care system), and many others. emotional and mental side I Came Out for This? contains adult effects of losing your first Gitlin has done an admirable job creating a language and a few sexually explicit lover. In this coming out story that communicates to the reader the scenes. It is recommended for libraries that story the main character, Joanna Kane, a tormented reality of Joanna‘s two year have adult GLBTQ fiction collections. 45-year-old, tells her tale through a series journey from new beginnings to an of 24 monthly journal writings. The established residence in D.C. with many unfolding story begins in Cleveland, Ohio, lesbian and gay friends. Readers will be where Joanna meets first lover, Terri, who able to relate at some level with Joanna Reviewed by TJ Lusher is visiting family. The reader tags along as and her coming out story. Joanna decides to follow Terri to Washington, D.C., even after Terri has As the story reached its conclusion, this ended their sexual relationship, in hopes of reviewer was glad that the author toned winning her back. In the end, Joanna is

GLBTRT Officers / Committee Chairs

Dale McNeill, 2009—2011 Vacant Lynn Evarts, 2011—2013 GLBTRT Co-Chair Chair, External Relations Committee Chair, Rainbow Project Committee [email protected] Committee Page & Volunteer Form [email protected]

Anne Moore, 2010—2012 Vacant Lisa Johnston, 2010—2011 GLBTRT Co-Chair Chair, Fundraising Committee Chair, Comm. [email protected] Committee Page & Volunteer Form [email protected]

Ellen Bosman, 2009—2011 Larry Romans, 2010—2012 Vacant GLBTRT Treasurer Chair, Membership Promotion Comm. Chair, Stonewall Book Award Celebra- [email protected] [email protected] tion Planning Committee

Committee Page & Volunteer Form

Jason D. Phillips, 2010—2012 Sarah Wright, 2009—2011 GLBTRT Secretary [email protected] David Vess, 2009—2011 [email protected] Chair, Newsletter Committee Chair, Website, Comm. [email protected]

Peter Hepburn, 2010—2013 K. R. Roberto, 2009—2011 GLBTRT Councilor Chair, Program Planning Committee [email protected] [email protected]