The Very Gay Life of Edmund White
Edmund White might have invented the unapologetic queer on the page. At least he did for me. Nothing coded gay, vaguely tragic; nothing furtive or metaphorical or obscured behind the billowing curtains of literary flounciness.
I can still recall the thrill of spotting the cover of his 1983 novel 'A Boy's Own Story' in a rotating rack of paperbacks in a bookstore in my dull, conservative hometown, Marlborough, England. I must have been about 15. It was the mid-1980s, the thick of the AIDS plague, and gay men were being cast as vectors of their own destruction.
It was a complicated time to be thinking about coming out. But here was a novel with a boy on the cover who looked close to my age, his thick glossy hair gently ruffled by the wind, his lips plump, his jaw strong. His tank top revealed the slope of his shoulders, the contours of his biceps.
I'd never seen a cover or read a book that spoke to me like that. The fact that a gay teenager could exist in fiction blew my mind. The fact that one, like me, could exist in the world did, too. 'A Boy's Own Story' was daring not just because it placed a queer adolescent at its center, but also because it did so with sophistication, introspection and horniness. The narrator — clearly, as with all of his narrators, based on him — is vividly real.
Ed White and I were later to become friends, when I had moved to New York and was editing Out magazine. This was not a surprise: Ed, who died on Tuesday at 85, was always very open to meeting young literary men. He was a raconteur and had stories for miles. I lapped them up. We all did.
Talking frankly about sex was a hallmark of his writing.(Among his many nonfiction works was 'The Joy of Gay Sex,' a sex manual he co-wrote in 1977.) He always saw himself as a gay writer for gay readers, the distinction he drew between his generation of queer writers and those who came earlier, like Gore Vidal and James Baldwin. They might write gay characters, but they never seemed to be writing for gay readers. Ed was.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Campaign shines light on women and girls in football
Shannon Ghee is backing the campaign (Image: Powerleague Cardiff) A new campaign is shining a light on women and girls in football. Powerleague Cardiff has launched She's Got Game in response to research showing that 46 per cent of women and girls in the UK have felt judged or excluded for wanting to play football. Advertisement The initiative aims to celebrate, support, and promote female players across Wales and the UK. Christian Rose, CEO of Powerleague, said: "This survey confirms what we've long believed, that women and girls in Cardiff and across the UK are not only passionate about football, but ready to play. "Yet too many still face barriers that simply shouldn't exist. "At Powerleague, we're committed to breaking those down by creating inclusive, welcoming spaces where everyone can thrive, no matter their background or ability. "Football should be for everyone, and we're proud to be part of the movement making that a reality." Advertisement The campaign also includes a competition inviting women and girls to share their football skills and favourite moments. Entrants will receive a free off-peak five-a-side pitch voucher and the chance to win one-to-one coaching with freestyle footballer Shannon Ghee. Powerleague Cardiff will also screen live matches throughout the UEFA Women's Euros, offering fans a safe place to gather while encouraging new audiences to take part in the game. Shannon Ghee said: "Football has given me confidence, community, and so much joy, and I want every girl and woman to feel that too. "She's Got Game is about celebrating skill, creativity, and passion, no matter your level. Advertisement "Whether you're just starting out or have been playing for years, this is your moment to have fun, and show the world what you've got. "I encourage everyone across Cardiff to have a go at a trick, or share their favourite football bit, this summer."
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Beverage company teams up with rock legend to sell cans with his DNA
Liquid Death has teamed up with Ozzy Osbourne to sell empty tea cans containing the rock legend's DNA. The beverage company got the Prince of Darkness to drink from 10 cans of its iced tea, leaving behind DNA from his saliva. The cans were then put up for sale on Liquid Death's website. The 'Infinitely Recyclable Ozzy DNA' cans were retailed for $450, with the casings being autographed by Osbourne. Read More: Band removed from legendary metal group's farewell concert 'Ozzy Osbourne is 1 of 1. But we're selling his DNA so you can recycle him forever,' Liquid Death wrote on Instagram. 'Now, when technology and federal law permits, you'll be able to replicate Ozzy Osbourne and enjoy him for hundreds of years into the future,' the company also wrote on Instagram. Read More: For rock legend who can't walk, farewell show may be true farewell However, not everyone will be able to duplicate the rock star as all 10 cans are now sold out. It is unclear if Liquid Death will make more cans available. Osbourne is roughly two weeks away from his last performance. Back to the Beginning, a benefit concert in Birmingham, England on July 5, will mark Osbourne's final performance both on his own and with his band, Black Sabbath. Read More: Iconic metal band to reunite with original lineup for first time in 20 years The musician will be joined by his bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the first time in two decades. Tickets sold out quickly, but fans can now purchase tickets to stream the concert online. Proceeds from the show will benefit charities like Cure Parkinson's, the Birmingham Children's Hospital and Acorn Children's Hospice. Country music icon plans to bring luxury hotel to Nashville 'I don't want you there': Rock band's frontman bans Trump voters from shows Drummer fired twice from legendary band calls members 'insane' Rock singer calls brother's claims he sexually abused him 'wildly misleading' Shawn Mendes 2025 tour coming to Boston, where to buy tickets online Read the original article on MassLive.
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
NYC-based organizations offer support for LGBTQ+ youth as suicide hotline option is terminated
New York City-based organizations are highlighting the need for resources for LGBTQ+ residents after the Trump administration announced it will end LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention services in a few weeks. The Trevor Project has been helping LGBTQ+ youth for decades and started providing specialized support for LGBTQ+ callers to the 988 National Suicide Prevention Hotline in 2022, but it has received a stop work order effective July 17. The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration said LGBTQ+ callers can still rely on hotline's general services, but advocates say this will greatly impact LGBTQ+ youth. "There's someone here to help you" "LGBTQ+ youth in our country are experiencing a mental health crisis," said Mark Henson, the Trevor Project's interim vice president of advocacy and government affairs. "That's the reason why these services were set up, so that tailored care can be available to help keep them alive." According to the nonprofit organization, 39% of LGBTQ+ young New Yorkers seriously considered suicide in the past year, and 12% attempted it. A recent study also revealed LGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide compared to their peers. "If this program goes away, the question is will they feel comfortable reaching out?" Henson said. The Trevor Project says it will continue to provide crisis services through its own hotline, but it will be a lot harder. Henson has a message for LGBTQ+ youth struggling with mental health. "You deserve the right for support, and there's someone here to help you," he said. For more information on the services offered by the Trevor Project, visit Unique services available for LGBTQ+ youth in NYC The Queens Community House in Forest Hills has unique services specifically for LGBTQ+ youth, including a drop-in center. "We see that those individuals often feel more welcome and safe in dedicated programming and thrive there," Executive Director Ben Thomases said. "They know they're gonna be understood. They know that people are going to see them for who they are." Thomases said the organization is also doing work in schools throughout the borough to make that environment more welcoming, as well. For more information, visit Jewish Queer Youth (JQY) offers support to young Jewish New Yorkers struggling to find acceptance in their communities. "Cutting services for LGBTQ youth through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline will really have devastating and deadly consequences," Executive Director Rachael Fried said. "The fact that it exists, it sends a message that queer youth actually matter." There's still a few weeks before the youth service is eliminated. Advocates are petitioning and pushing for lawmakers to step in. In May, more than 100 House members signed a letter urging the health department to preserve the LGBTQ+ option, and seven senators signed a similar letter. If you or someone you know needs help, you can call or text 988 to speak with a trained, caring counselor 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also chat online with a counselor at
