Arts & Entertainment
D.C. gay book club turns 20
Bookmen D.C. gathers twice monthly to discuss queer lit
Bookmen D.C. is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month and claims it’s the longest continuously operating gay book club in the region. The group first met on May 11, 1999.
In lieu of its regular book discussion, the group plans a 20th anniversary party on Wednesday, May 15 at the D.C. Center at 7:30 p.m.
The group started as the Potomac Gay Men’s Book Group under the leadership of first facilitator Bill Malone. The club was later known as BoysnBooks, and have been Bookmen D.C. since 2007.
The group meets the first Wednesday of each month at Cleveland Park Library (3310 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) to discuss books and the third Wednesday of each month at the D.C. Center (in the Reeves Building) where members discuss sections of anthologies or shorter works. Dinner often follows.
The group considers itself fairly relaxed. There’s no official roster or time commitment. Organizers say it “helps” to have read the book at hand in advance but there’s no policy against attending for those who have not or haven’t finished.
“We explicitly welcome guys who haven’t finished the book or even started it in some cases,” facilitator Steve Honley says. “That doesn’t usually inhibit the discussion since I warn them we’ll discuss the ending.”
Former facilitator Tim Walton helps current facilitator Honley come up with titles, which are nominated by members. A list of nearly 300 books the group has completed can be found here. Average attendance is six-eight per month. There have been meetings of nearly 20 in previous years although the group has never been large. The group is comprised of mostly gay men but some members over the years have been bi.
The group reads fiction, non-fiction, biography, poetry and other genres.
Previous facilitators Malone, Walton and Greg Farber will be at the party on May 15. Another, Tom Wischer, is unable to attend. Honley hopes former members will come for the anniversary event.
Upcoming books the group plans to read and discuss include novels such as “Julian” by Gore Vidal and “Leading Men” by Christopher Castellani, non-fiction classic “And the Band Played On” by Randy Shilts and presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg’s memoir “Shortest Way Home.”
The D.C. Front Runners held the 14th annual 5K Pride Run at Congressional Cemetery on Saturday, June 6.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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Books
‘Mighty Real’ explores history of LGBTQ music
From Judas Priest to Whitney, something for every taste
‘Mighty Real: A History of LGBTQ Music, 1969-2000’
By Barry Walters
c.2026, Viking
$35/496 pages
Step, step, tap, back step.
Shimmy in a circle, left hand waving over your head, shake your tail feathers, repeat to the beat. Once there was a time when you could do any dance in your sleep, but it’s been a while. So read “Mighty Real” by Barry Walters, and see if your toes don’t tap.
Fifty-seven years after Stonewall, and here we are: LGBTQ musicians still face scrutiny for their sexuality because, says Walters, music isn’t created for gay listeners. No problem: LGBTQ artists and writers have often penned lyrics carefully in order to say what can’t be said, “coding” songs for gay audiences that straight (and ignorant) listeners can dance to and enjoy with apparent obliviousness.
Walters offers “just a few” examples.
Lou Reed sang about trans people in the late ‘60s and offered a rallying song for the Gay Liberation Front in 1972, the latter of which felt like a message to a then-11-year-old Walters. Janis Joplin claimed she was straight, but she had several girlfriends. Motown singers often offered sometimes-ambiguous lyrics.
John Lennon’s hand placement on the back cover of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band made Walters begin to understand that he was different from other boys.
David Bowie is on his list, of course, as is Bette Midler, Elton John, Donna Summer, and Queen. You’ll find Judas Priest here, Green Day, and punk music. The Village People are included in this book, also Grace Jones, Duran Duran, and Cher, Whitney, Melissa, Latifah, and the lyrics from several blockbuster movies.
Two of Prince’s band members were lesbians, and they heavily influenced his albums. Diana Ross’s “I’m Coming Out” cemented her position in LGBTQ culture, and Michael Jackson’s inclusion here takes much careful consideration.
Read about Olivia Newton-John and the B52s. And then there’s Sylvester, for whom Walters has a soft spot in his heart. Sylvester’s death still makes Walters cry.
In his preface, author and music writer Barry Walters points out that music is what you make it and that it’s interpreted differently by each individual. To that end, this book naturally consists of preferential history and personal opinions about singers, bands, albums, and songs.
Agree or disagree. That’s where much of the appeal lies in “Mighty Real.”
Here, Walters wraps his memories around his choices, giving readers room for their own views, memories, and list making. Music-loving readers might also be surprised to note who’s not on Walters’ list – there aren’t many country performers here, for example, and the overall list focuses entirely on music from roughly 1968 to the year 2000, mostly on the kinds of songs you’ll want at the club or party. Again, discuss, and curate your own playlist.
This is a hefty book, but the chapters are browse-able and generally short enough to read in under five minutes. It’s nostalgic, yet also serious in the history it presents. This is the kind of book you want to leave near your album collection, or wherever you get your tunes. But finding “Mighty Real” is your first step.
The Blade may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via this post.
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington performed “Soul Divas” at the Lincoln Theatre over the weekend. The show featured songs popularized by Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Whitney Houston and more.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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