Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Literature

Here is a long-overdue genre guide to a previously ignored body of literature. The book aims to provide the reader and readers' advisor with an introduction to 20th-century gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered literature. All popular genres of literature are examined, including fiction, drama, and life stories (biography, autobiography, and memoirs), with the main emphasis on current fiction. More than 1,100 titles are organized according to genres, subgenres, and formats. Annotations provide brief, engaging plot summaries, information about awards, indication of which populations are addressed (e.g., gay, lesbian), and often suggestions for read-alikes. Subject terms or keywords accompany each entry to enhance access to more read-alikes. A brief history of the literature, comments on the genres, and tips for working with readers make this an essential guide and reference resource. Here is a long-overdue genre guide to a previously ignored body of literature. The book aims to provide the reader and readers' advisor with an introduction to 20th-century gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered literature. All popular genres of literature are examined, including fiction, drama, and life stories (biography, autobiography, and memoirs), with the main emphasis on current fiction. More than 1,100 titles are organized according to genres, subgenres, and formats. Annotations provide brief, engaging plot summaries, information about awards, indication of which populations are addressed (e.g., gay, lesbian, teen), and often suggestions for read-alikes. Subject terms or keywords accompany each entry to enhance access to more read-alikes. A brief history of the literature, comments on the genres, and tips for working with readers make this an essential guide and reference resource.

Ellen Bosman is Associate Professor and Head of Technical Services, New Mexico State University Library, Las Cruces, and is a member of ALA's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Round Table. She is a former chair of the Stonewall Book Awards Committee and Lambda Literary Awards judge John P. Bradford, Head of Automation & Technical Services at the Villa Park Public Library, has been a member of the GLBT Round Table of the American Library Association since the early 1990's. He served from 1998-2002 as a member of its Stonewall Book Award Committee (Chair 2001-2002). He is editor of the GLBTRT Newsletter, an important continuing source of GLBT book reviews, and volunteers weekends as Librarian at the Leather Archives & Museum. Robert B. Ridinger (MA, MLS), is Full Professor in the Northern Illinois University Libraries, and has been active for over twenty-five years in working to research and restore the gay and lesbian history of the United States. Among his writings are contributions to Gay and Lesbian Literary Heritage and the Gay and Lesbian Almanac and the compiling of the groundbreaking anthology Speaking For Our Lives: Speeches and Rhetoric of Gay and Lesbian Rights (1892-2000).