Eminent Outlaws

Bram, C. (2012). Eminent outlaws: The gay writers who changed America. New York: Twelve.

Hardcover | $27.99 USD | ISBN-13:  978-0446563130 | 372 pages | Adult Non-Fiction

Eminent Outlaws is a history lesson on the gay literary authors who wrote in the time period of the 50s through the 90s and after.  While reading Bram’s historical narrative, you can understand the major writers who approached gay literature differently but collectively were able to impact writing and works that were published in general in America and beyond.

Bram explains the different cultural and historical events and their relationship and impact on attitudes and ideas shared by the gay writers of this time. There is a lot of variation in how the writers approached their literary works and it was definitely impacted by the time period in which the authors wrote and lived. Some wrote about openly gay characters and lived an openly gay lifestyle while others wrote plays that only hinted or mentioned the idea of homosexuality and lived their lives behind closed doors.

The way in which homosexuality was explored in literature was impacted by how the gay movement itself developed.  In the 50s “homosexuality was not completely forbidden, but it was in a tight spot” (Bram, 2012, p. 20). Still, it seems that didn’t change because fifty years later, admirers downplay the “Gayness” of poetry and the author Ginsberg (p. 37). Bram shares that during the 50s, many writers were silent on homosexuality, but it was so “despised in some circles” it was seen as a threat (p. 69).  Although this changed in the 60s when readers wanted to see relationships for what they really were (p. 79) and when viewers wanted to watch gay figures shine on late night talk shows (p. 89).  Riots in the late 60s caused a few problems, but this raised publicity of the movement when gay bars were regularly raided and gays were arrested (p. 134-135). Many were not sure which direction to go to best fight for gay rights – this led to many arguments and schisms for how to move forward (p. 136).  Gay liberation would follow in the 70s; but it wasn’t unordinary for gay literature to be published after the authors died to protect their reputations (p. 151). The biggest shift came in the 70s when gays in larger numbers finally gave themselves a name and they told their families about their preferences too (p. 194).

Christopher Bram combines all of the authors from this time period in one book for any readers who are interested in the development of gay authors and its impact on America’s 20^th century.  The book itself is laid out in a readable format and the chronological procession makes it easy to follow along with the development of the time. I would recommend this book for adult readers, gay or straight, and public libraries with diverse populations.  This book would fit well in a library’s collection on social history and gay literature. Any readers who can appreciate a cultural history book interwoven with personal stories about the author’s lives will appreciate this novel.