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Best of the books

LGBT themes liberally peppered through slated fall releases

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Books, much cheaper than movies or TV shows to produce, provide the most copious bounty of LGBT options. Among the highlights:

If you want something that’s going to last you most of the winter, try “Black Like Us: A Century of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual African American Fiction,” compiled by Don Weise (Cleis Press, October). This brick of a book gathers the works several of your favorite authors, some of whom you might not know are gay. This is the kind of book you can get lost in and at 555 pages, you’ll be lost a while.

“The Unreal Life of Sergey Nabokov” by Paul Russell (Cleis Press, November) is based on the real life of the gay brother of Vladimir Nabokov and tells the fictional story of Sergey’s life, his contemporaries, his loves and his heartbreaking end in Berlin. You’ll also want to check out “History’s Passions: Stories of Sex Before Stonewall,” edited by Richard Labonte (Bold Strokes Books, November). This anthology, written by four award-winning authors, imagines the lives of loving men in various historical settings.

For young adult readers, check out “Swimming in Chicago” by David-Matthew Barnes (Bold Strokes Books, October). In this novel, a young man is dealing with his mother’s suicide with the help of his best girl friend and an intriguing new love.

Another book for teens is “Speaking Out: LGBTQ Youth Stand Up” by Steve Berman (Bold Strokes, September). In this book, young adults will read stories of adversity overcome, problems solved, issues brought forth, and what they can look forward to.

In “The Stranger’s Child” by Alan Hollinghurst (Knopf, October), it’s 1913 and a young man has brought a love interest home with him from boarding school, only to have his sister fall for the boy, too. But with a few innocent words in an autograph book, secrets are buried shallowly and the young man and his entire family are changed for several generations. This is one of those sweeping novels that you’ll want to save for a rainy weekend day.

“Tom of Finland – Life and Work of a Gay Hero” by F. Valentine Hooven III (Bruno Gmunder Verlag Gmbh, November), a compilation, looks at Tom’s drawings from the earliest to more current times, and includes a biography. And if photography is the art you love most, check out “Jim French Diaries: The Creator of Colt Studio” by Jim French (also from Bruno Gmunder Verlag Gmbh, October).

You’ll also love paging through “Gay in America,” portraits by Scott Pasfield (September, Welcome Books). In this gorgeously illustrated book, you’ll find intimate and personal photography of gay men from around the country, taken over three years.

“Christmas Remembered” by Tom Mendicino, Frank Anthony Polito, and Michael Salvatore (Kensington, September) is a three-story collection that brings back memories of holidays shared, holidays cherished and holidays best forgotten.

“Second You Sin” by Scott Sherman (Kensington, September) is a thriller-whodunit, in which part-time sleuth/call boy Kevin Connor must solve the murders of several New York City male prostitutes.

Another mystery you’ll love this fall is “Hell’s Highway” by Gerri Hill (Bella Books, December). Someone thinks California’s Mojave Desert is the perfect place to dispose of women’s bodies. On the case are FBI Agents Cameron Ross and Andrea Sullivan, two women who are more than just partners at work. Can their commitment to each other withstand the sand, the heat, and the mind of a diabolical killer?

One comic book that stands out is “Heroes with Hardons” by Patrick Fillion and others (Bruno Gmunder Verlag Gmbh, November). This book is packed with super-hunky superheroes ready to save your day any way they can. Yes, these are comics, but they’re nothing like the ones you spent Saturday afternoon reading when you were a kid.

“Model Men: Gay Erotic Stories” by Neil Plakcy (Cleis Press, November) imagines the lives and loves of models from Mr. May in the hunk calendar to the billboard hottie who almost makes you wreck the car.

“Riding the Rails: Locomotive Lust and Carnal Cabooses” by Jerry L. Wheeler (Bold Strokes, December) explores the carnality trains tend to inspire.

“The Gay Gospels: Good News for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered People” by Keith Sharpe (O Books, John Hunt, September) guides readers with a spiritual, faith-based (yet readable) look at the Bible, the arguments used against gays and why some feel these scriptures have been distorted.

“The Gay Men’s Guide to Timeless Manners and Proper Etiquette” by Corey Rosenberg (Chelsea Station Editions, September) explains what eating utensils to use, the difference between black tie and formal, what kind of hostess gift is mandatory and more.

“Best Gay Erotica 2012,” edited by Richard Labonte with a foreword by Larry Duplechan (Cleis Press, December) is an anthology that brings together the best of this years’ writers. Also look for “Best Lesbian Erotica 2012, edited by Kathleen Warnock, foreword by Sinclair Sexsmith, also from Cleis and out in December.

“69 Positions of Joyful Gay Sex” by Mischa Gawronski (Bruno Gmunder Verlag Gmbh, November) shows that, yes, indeed, there are lots of ways to do the deed.

Keep in mind that release dates are approximate and could change.

 

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Photos

PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards

Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony

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Members of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington as well as local drag artists joined hosts Mike Millan and Felicia Curry with other performers for a WorldPride dance number at the Helen Hayes Awards on Monday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.

A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.

The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Photos

PHOTOS: D.C. Trans Pride

Schuyler Bailar gives keynote address

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D.C. Trans Pride 2025 was held at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on May 17. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C

Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement

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Gay Pride Day 1976 (Washington Blade archive photo)

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.

D.C.’s Different Drummers march in the 2006 Capital Pride Parade. (Washington Blade archive photo by Adam Cuthbert)

The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies. 

Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays. 

The 1995 Lesbian and Gay Freedom Festival was held on Freedom Plaza on June 18. (Washington Blade archive photo by Clint Steib)

The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.

We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.

I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.

The D.C. Black Gay Men & Women’s Community Conference table at Gay Pride Day in 1978. (Washington Blade archive photo by Jim Marks)
A scene from 1985 Gay and Lesbian Pride Day. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle)
A scene from the 1988 Gay and Lesbian Pride Day. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle)
A scene from the Capital Pride Block Party in 2018. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)
Keke Palmer performs at the 2024 Capital Pride Festival. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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