Celebrating Gay and Lesbian Writers: National LGBT Pride Month

For the fourth time since 2009, President Barack Obama has proclaimed June to be “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.” In his own words:

I call upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their own lives and everywhere it exists. – Proclamation by U.S President Barack Obama, May 31, 2011

Writers of the LGBT community have long had a profound impact on literature of all kinds. To commemorate their contributions and Pride Month, here’s our (abbreviated!) list of famous GLBT writers (and/or writers who have expressed attraction toward people of the same gender).

List of Some LGBT Poets And Writers

W. H. Auden (1907–1973), English poet

James Baldwin (1924–1987), African American author, wrote Giovanni’s Room (1956)

Truman Capote (1924–1984), American writer, wrote Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1958) and In Cold Blood (1966)

Emily Dickinson (1830–1886), American poet

E. M. Forster (1879–1970), English author, wrote Maurice (1972)

Allen Ginsberg (1926–1997), American poet, wrote Howl (1956)

Alan Hollinghurst (b. 1954), English novelist, wrote The Line of Beauty, winner of the 2004 Booker Prize

D. H. Lawrence (1885–1930), English author, wrote The Rainbow (1915)

David Sedaris (b. 1956), American author, speaker, comedian

Maurice Sendak (1928–2012), American author and illustrator, wrote Where the Wild Things Are (1963)

Gertrude Stein (1874–1946), American author, wrote The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas (1933)

Alice Walker (b. 1944), African American author, wrote The Color Purple (1982)

Oscar Wilde (1854–1900), Anglo-Irish writer, wrote The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890)

Jeanette Winterson (b. 1939), wrote Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit (1985)

List of Literary Journals And Magazines Dedicated To GLBT Writers

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender writers are fortunate these days because there are a good number of literary journals dedicated to LGBT issues and writings. Here are just a few of the many that are out there (and accepting submissions!):

Bloom - An active journal that was ”founded to support the work of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered writers and artists and to foster the appreciation of queer literature and creation.”

Blithe House Quarterly – An online mag with a tagline that says it all: “queer fiction lives here.”

Gay & Lesbian Review - This lively magazine has a broad scope and a strong mission: to “provide a forum for enlightened discussion of issues and ideas of importance to lesbians and gay men; to advance gay and lesbian culture by providing a quality vehicle for its best writers and thinkers; and to educate a broader public on gay and lesbian topics.”

Gertrude - This nonprofit is intent on “showcasing and developing the creative talents of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer-identified, and allied individuals. ”

Lavender Review - Established in 2010, this literary journal is “an international, biannual e-zine dedicated to poetry and art by, about, and for lesbians, including whatever might appeal to a lesbian readership.”

Mary - An online lit mag whose mission is “to showcase Queer/Gay writings of artistic merit.”

Oasis – A queer youth magazine that also provides space for online journaling and expression.

RFD - This unique magazine is “a country journal for gay men everywhere.”

Sinister Wisdom – According to the site, this is “the oldest surviving lesbian literary journal—now celebrating 30 years.”

NOTE: We’re using LGBT and GLBT interchangeably and intentionally.

QUESTION: Do gay and lesbian characters ever play a role in your writing? Feel free to add to our list of LGBT poets and writers in the comments below.

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