Arts & Entertainment
Bounty of books
Gay adoption, ‘My Two Moms’ and a Cher comic among offerings
There are lots of great new books out this spring that will make waiting for summer easier. Lots of books to make you laugh, cry, make you fan yourself and make you want to page through the pictures again and again.
Cher
And speaking of pictures, there are lots of them in “Female Force: Cher” by Marc Shapiro, illustrated by Zach Bassett, cover by Joe Phillips. That’s because this 32-page book is actually a comic book all about Cher’s life, her career, her fashions and her legacy. And because comic books aren’t just for kids anymore, you’ll also find similar comic book-bios on Madonna, Ellen DeGeneres and others.
If the patter of teeny-tiny feet is in your future, then you’ll want to find “Does This Baby Make Me Look Straight? Confessions of a Gay Dad” by Dan Bucatinsky. Seven years ago, Bucatinsky and his partner adopted a baby girl. Shortly after that, they adopted their daughter’s brother. Laugh-out-loud funny, sweet and a little heartbreaking, this book is perfect for anyone who wants or has a young family.
Remember that young man who addressed the Iowa House Judiciary Committee a few months ago when they were discussing civil unions? Well, he has a new book out: “My Two Moms” by Zach Wahls. This is a great book for any (older) kid growing up in a household with same-sex parents because Wahls knows what it’s like to be teased and to feel different. Bonus: this book is also perfect for same-sex parents.
Riding Fury Home
And while we’re on the parenting theme, “Riding Fury Home” by Chana Wilson is the story of Wilson’s mother who, in the 1950s, was given psychiatric treatment and electroshocks in order to “cure” her lesbianism. But Wilson doesn’t stop there; she also writes about 40 years of American attitudes toward sexuality and tolerance. In this contentious political year, this is ultimately a book you can’t miss.
Does it sometimes feel as though you’ll never find someone to love forever? AuthorClyde Phillip Wachsberger felt that way, too, so upon approaching a certain age, he bought a house and set about creating a fabulous garden. But in his book “In the Garden with Charles,” you’ll read about a happily ever after. The beautiful bonus to this book is the author’s artwork that goes along with the garden and the love story.
If you’re a novel lover, then get booked with “Come Back” by Sky Gilbert. This is the story of a Judy Garland who really didn’t die, a Frances Gumm with a PhD, and a gay Canadian playwright who leads Dr. Gumm on an examination of her addictions and her life. This is a quirky book, but if quirk is your style, how can you go wrong?
Quick — think of a gay artist who specializes in erotica. My guess is that Tom of Finland was at the top of your guesses and if you’re a fan, you’ll want to find “Tom of Finland — Life and Work of a Gay Hero” by F. Valentine Hooven III. This big hardcover brings readers an overview of Tom’s art and his life from the beginning to his last years, and it includes not just drawings and the bio, but lots of photos, too.
And finally, if you’re short on time but heavy on heat, look for “Cruising: Gay Erotic Stories,” edited by Shane Allison. This anthology is filled with hot locations, hot scenes, hot activities, and of course hot men. This is the kind of book you’ll want to read with oven mitts, so beware.
It’s also worth a visit every few months to the Bruno Gmunder website (oddly the IUP is spelled slightly different — brunogmuender.com) for the latest in gay travel guides, coffee table erotica books, comics, calendars and more. This is the kind of stuff you used to just happen on at Lambda Rising — there were always unsealed sample copies to leaf through — but now you have to go online to find them. Sadly no D.C. shops keep these books in stock.
The Washington Blade held the seventh annual Pride on the Pier at The Wharf DC on Saturday, June 13.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
The 2026 Lost River Pride Festival was held on the scenic grounds of the Lost River Farmers Market in Lost City, W.Va. on Saturday, June 13. Headliner Tom Goss performed at the festival and gave a second performance at the nearby Guesthouse Lost River.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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Books
David Archuleta on Mormon faith, ‘Idol,’ more in new book
Unique memoir details religious upbringing, coming out
‘Devout: Losing My Faith to Find Myself’
By David Archuleta
c.2026, Gallery Books
$29/290 pages
So just make up your mind already.
The decision is very much in your control – or, at least that’s how it’s supposed to be. It’ll be your future, your path, and seizing it may not just be necessary, but mandatory. It’s your life, and no one can live it for you. As in the new memoir “Devout” by David Archuleta, that goes for career and for love, too.
Born to parents who both had musical careers before they wed, David Archuleta remembers an early childhood growing up in a Hispanic Mormon community in Florida, where kin was always nearby. He was six when his parents moved the immediate family to Utah; the first thing he remembers about that is the snow, and how it was so cold, it burned.
Because music was in his blood, Archuleta grew up singing and dancing, often with his mother whom he calls “my rock.” It was his father, however, who encouraged him to perform; first, with a gentle push, then a shove toward a career Archuleta didn’t really want.
But he did want to make his father happy, so he went along with the contests, embarrassing meet-and-greets with stars, and uncomfortable introductions. Slowly, though, performing became more fun, and Archuleta made friends.
Meanwhile, back home, everything was breaking apart. A “family friend” whom Archuleta refuses to name accused his father of abuse. He was exonerated, but it affected the family’s closeness and they stopped being affectionate.
That was a painful backdrop to Archuleta’s soaring career, his appearances on Star Search, friendships with other rising stars, his runner-up spot on “American Idol,” tours, and recording contracts. His father kept pushing him.
But there was one thing missing.
Since he was a boy, Archuleta had known that he was attracted to men, but his Mormon faith taught him that that was unacceptable. Kissing, his abuelita said, was wrong. He tried hard to date girls, in the most chaste way. Anything past that was against God – and anything at all with a man was unthinkable.
Though it absolutely favors his personal life and dwells on it a bit too much, “Devout” strikes an otherwise nice balance between that, author David Archuleta’s career, his sexuality, and his faith. The latter two are loaded with controversy.
You don’t need to be Mormon to fully understand the faith part; Archuleta offers non-Mormons a brief education, so readers can see the importance of the Church’s teachings in his life and why he felt the need to abandon it as his understanding of his bisexuality grew. It’s emotionally raw and honest, but also so respectful that it almost bears re-reading. Such candor and the heart-on-his-sleeve tone you’ll sense are features in the entire book, alongside Archuleta’s family’s struggles and his learning to strike out alone.
It’s harmonious in more ways than one, and fans will be happy.
So, too, will anyone who wants a unique memoir with a dose of faith, or someone who’s an “American Idol”watcher. Find “Devout” and be sure to share. You won’t mind.
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PHOTOS: Pride on the Pier
PHOTOS: Lost River Pride
David Archuleta on Mormon faith, ‘Idol,’ more in new book
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McDuffie on LGBTQ support and standing up to Trump
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Rehoboth’s Pride on the Bay set for June 27
