Encyclopedia of contemporary LGBTQ literature of the United States

Abstract

During the last 2 decades there has been a dramatic resurgence in literary and cultural productions by Americans who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, or queer (LGBTQ). Comprehensive in scope and accessible to students and general readers, this encyclopedia explores contemporary American LGBTQ literature and its social, political, cultural, and historical contexts. Included are several hundred alphabetically arranged entries written by expert contributors. Each entry cites works for further reading, and the encyclopedia closes with a selected, general bibliography. Students of literature and popular culture will appreciate the encyclopedia's insightful survey and discussion of LGBTQ authors and their works, while students of history and social issues will value the encyclopedia's use of literature to explore LGBTQ American society. During the last 2 decades, there has been a dramatic resurgence in the literary and cultural productions of Americans who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, or queer (LGBTQ). The works of these authors have gained popular attention and are increasingly important to the curriculum. They also reflect many of the issues central to contemporary American society. Comprehensive in scope and accessible to students and general readers, this encyclopedia surveys contemporary LGBTQ American literature and its social, political, historical, and cultural contexts. Included are hundreds of alphabetically arranged entries on such topics as: ; African American Gay Literature; Dorothy Allison; Bisexuality; Christopher Bram; Augusten Burroughs; Peter Cameron; Patricia Cornwell; Michael Cunningham; Christopher Durang; Leslie Feinberg; Harvey Fierstein; Gay Graphic Novel; Gay Jewish American Literature; Gay Rights Movement; Jewelle Gomez; Homosociality; Gary Indiana; Larry Kramer; David Leavitt; Leslie Larson; Ursula LeGuin; Lesbian Graphic Novel; Audre Lorde; Armistead Maupin; Terrence McNally; Lenelle Moise; Dale Peck; Puerto Rican Gay Literature; Queer Pedagogy; Sapphire; Sarah Schulman; Reginald Shepherd; Michelangelo Signorile; Transgender Young Adult Literature; Carla Trujillo; Edmund White; Emanuel Xavier; And many more. Each entry is written by an expert contributor and lists additional sources of information, and the encyclopedia closes with a selected general bibliography of print and electronic resources for student research. Students of American history and society will welcome the encyclopedia's use of literature to explore LGBTQ social issues, while students of literature and popular culture will appreciate the extensive exploration of authors and their works. FEATURES AND BENEFITS: ; Hundreds of alphabetically arranged entries discuss authors, literary works, movements, genres, and social issues.; An alphabetical list of entries offers a quick survey of the encyclopedia's contents.; A guide to related topics quickly and conveniently directs readers to entries likely to interest them.; Entry bibliographies help students find sources of additional information on specialized topics.; A selected, general bibliography directs students to the most helpful print and electronic resources on contemporary LGBTQ American literature.