My Opinion of Gay Literature: Thoughts from the 1990s

In an attempt to explain what I think of gay literature, I could only try to remember about the literature I checked out as a teenager in high school. My best friend, Todd, is gay and took delight in showing all the provocative poses he collected from "underground" magazines in 1986. What interested me in 1986, was all the stuff I could learn from my friend. He was excited at the prospect of finding such "underground" literature in 1986. Most of the gay literature back then, as far as we knew, was kept hidden from the mainstream.

Now, after 14 years, I am required to visit a bookstore and look at the media and write about my experience. I really didn't know what I thought about this assignment, except that I thought that I didn't have much to learn in this department. I thought that I was fairly enlightened about gay and lesbian lifestyles. To my surprise, I see that things have changed! There is not only an actual section for gay and lesbian literature, but a wealth of information as well. Gone are the paper-bound, hidden porno pictures of 1986. Now exists an entire array of media pertaining to all sorts of issues concerning this culture.

What I do notice, however, upon a closer review of the books, is the fact that most of the gay and lesbian literature before me is written as journals; stories of first-hand experiences, combining varied combinations of emotion. The zeal with which these books are written seems to be attempts at enlightenment. An account of the trials and tribulations of the author, an attempt to get the reader to understand and become informed at the issues this population faces. It seems to me that each author has his own story to tell. Each cover screaming, "Read me! Read me next!"

It seems to me also, that this section of the bookstore has its own story to tell as well. This section exists in it's own world. It is separate in its location. When asked where I could locate gay and lesbian literature, I expected to be taken to a "back room", like that of the x-rated video sections at the video store. But having its own section without being hidden in a dark area of the store has a story to tell as well. Society is becoming a little more accepting and the gay and lesbian culture is being funneled into the mainstream.

Slowly, I imagine, as it took 14 years for me to notice this change, the sections of the bookstore will be more diverse. Soon you won't be able to discern the author's sexual practices by finding him in a certain section of the bookstore. The books will eventually be de-segregated into the mainstream of the store. The covers won't be screaming so loudly. Much like condoms were sold 14 years ago, discreetly asked for in a whisper to the pharmacist who produced them from behind the counter, now openly displayed and easily accessible to all those seeking them, the books at the bookstore containing gay and lesbian literature will take a new place on the shelves as the public takes in more awareness.