A review by pturnbull
Gay L.A.: A History of Sexual Outlaws, Power Politics, and Lipstick Lesbians by Stuart Timmons, Lillian Faderman
5.0
An excellent and very readable history of gay people in the Los Angeles area. The book begins with a description of the native populations of southern California, who shocked the colonizing Spaniards with their same-sex relationships and transgender behaviors. And then the story goes on, decade by decade in the twentieth century, describing how society has winked at, suppressed, harassed, hated, accommodated, murdered, and accepted gay men and women. The history of gay LA is heavily influenced by Hollywood, with its money, influence, and glamour. Sometimes it forced those in the industry more deeply into the closet (Rock Hudson); other times it meant having huge stars on your side and communicating a gay-positive message (Elizabeth Taylor).
I lived through some of this history, though not in LA, and I remember well the late seventies, years of Gay Liberation and lesbian separatism, and the suspicion between the two groups. I initially selected this book to read because I knew that my friend from the University of Wisconsin, Mark Kostopoulos, a founder of ACTUP/LA, would appear in its pages. As the book continued and Faderman foreshadowed the devastation wrought by AIDS, I began to dread the encounter. But when I finally found him, I discovered something true to the Mark I remembered—his warm relationships with women, including me—and that he chose a woman to succeed him as ACTUP/LA facilitator (320).
Even if you don’t know any of the book’s characters personally, you will be familiar with many of the individuals referenced in it, including famous Hollywood names and California politicians. Faderman conscientiously provides a diverse history of a multicultural, trend-setting city. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in Hollywood, LGBT history, or southern California.
I lived through some of this history, though not in LA, and I remember well the late seventies, years of Gay Liberation and lesbian separatism, and the suspicion between the two groups. I initially selected this book to read because I knew that my friend from the University of Wisconsin, Mark Kostopoulos, a founder of ACTUP/LA, would appear in its pages. As the book continued and Faderman foreshadowed the devastation wrought by AIDS, I began to dread the encounter. But when I finally found him, I discovered something true to the Mark I remembered—his warm relationships with women, including me—and that he chose a woman to succeed him as ACTUP/LA facilitator (320).
Even if you don’t know any of the book’s characters personally, you will be familiar with many of the individuals referenced in it, including famous Hollywood names and California politicians. Faderman conscientiously provides a diverse history of a multicultural, trend-setting city. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in Hollywood, LGBT history, or southern California.