For Immediate Release
February 21, 2008

Contact: Michael Nava, 415-865-7148

PASSING ON THE PEN:
GLBT Organizations Build Bridges
Between Generations of GLBT Storytellers

SAN FRANCISCO — The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Transgender (GLBT) Historical Society and the Lambda Literary Foundation have joined forces to celebrate the contributions of three generations of GLBT Storytellers. The two organizations will host a series of conversations, entitled “Passing On The Pen,” designed to pair some of the pioneers of GLBT literature with today’s emerging GLBT storytellers.

“This is the first time anyone has ever done anything like this” says Michael Nava, author and
winner of five five Lambda Literary Awards. “It's a powerhouse lineup, bringing together
some astonishing talent and people who I have read and respected for many years as well as
some wonderful new writers.”

Ann Bannon, often called “The Queen of Lesbian Pulp Fiction” for her landmark “Beebo Brinker Chronicles,” and Victor J. Banis, the critically acclaimed author of more than 150 published books, will kick off the Passing On The Pen literary series on March 25th. From March through December, the two organizations will present monthly events pairing authors from the early days of the GLBT movement with current day storytellers. Each event will be held in the gallery of the GLBT Historical society from 6:30 to 8:30, and will be free of charge and open to the public.

“In the early days of the GLBT community, our literature helped our community find its voice,” says Paul Boneberg, the Executive Director of the GLBTHS. “Now it’s helping us chart our future.”

Current calendar for “The GLBTHS & Lambda Literary Foundation Present PASSING ON THE PEN: Intergenerational Queer Storytellers.”

All events begin at 6:30pm with readings by the authors, followed by a Q&A session and book signing. All events end at 8:30pm.

Date	Participating Authors
Mar 25, 2008	Ann Bannon and Victor J. Banis
Apr 15, 2008	Michelle Tea, Carol Queen and Rhiannon Argo
May 13, 2008	Robert Glück and Kevin Killian
Jun 13, 2008	Katherine V. Forrest and Christopher Rice
Jul 8, 2008	Jewelle Gomez and Frederick Smith
Aug 12, 2008	K.M. Soehnlein and Trebor Healey
Sep 9, 2008	Carla Trujillo, Johnny Diaz, Achy Obejas and Michael Nava
Oct 7, 2008	Paul Reidinger and Lucy Jane Bledsoe
November TBA	Dorothy Allison
Dec 9, 2008	Jamison Green, Julia Serano, Tristan Crane

Dates and participants are confirmed as of the date of this release, but are subject to change.

About the Lambda Literary Foundation – The Lambda Literary Foundation is the country’s leading organization for LGBT literature. Its mission is to celebrate LGBT literature and provide resources for writers, readers, booksellers, publishers, and librarians. For more information, visit www.lambdaliterary.org.

The mission of the GLBT Historical Society is to increase public understanding, appreciation, and affirmation of the history and culture of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and other sexual minority individuals and communities. For more information, call 415.777.5455 or visit www.glbthistory.org.