What Would Auden Review?

The great queer poet, W.H. Auden once said:  “One cannot review a bad book without showing off.”  Maybe that’s why I have been so reluctant to review bad books.  Maybe I thought having a website was showing off enough.
I began this blog on a down note.  Gay and Lesbian bookstores were closing.  Queer Lit was increasingly marginalized.  Carrol [...]

This will be our year.

June is a special month for my neighborhood:  Chelsea.   In an annual migration, the circuit boys have landed here for the month, en route to Provincetown, Fire Island and points beyond.  This ephemeral splash of beauty is enhanced by the occasional appearance of long-lost acquaintances–acquaintances I’d long thought were dead.  The experience is quasi-religious: a virtual resurrection.   No, he didn’t [...]

Writing on Prop 8: Arthur Leonard is the best, The Nation disappoints and Justice Moreno has the last word.

When the sad, but expected California Supreme Court Proposition 8 ruling came in yesterday, I automatically turned to one of my favorite writers, Arthur Leonard, to help me make sense of it.  Sure enough, Mr. Leonard quickly turned in a high quality report on the court’s decision.  As I have mentioned before, Arthur Leonard is, [...]

Tom Daschle: OY!!

Two weeks ago today, I celebrated the innauguration of Barack Obama with a rave review of Tom Daschle’s book, Critical.  Unfortunately, recent press revelations have severely tarnished Mr. Daschle’s reputation.  Yesterday Tom Daschle even issued an apology to the Senate Finance Committee.
Apology for what?  On Friday it was reported by the New York Times that Mr. Daschle delayed [...]

President Obama: YAY!!!

As you probably know, not everyone is celebrating today.  Many gays and lesbians have cancelled their innaugural parties.  Even after the announcement that openly gay bishop, Eugene Robinson, would be giving the invocation at yesterday’s pre-innaugural celebration.  Even after the Washington DC Gay Men’s Chorus performed at that event.  The reason for all this discontent is, of course, [...]