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OUT IN THE CASTRO
Desire, Promise, Activism

Edited by Winston Leyland

$24.95 large sized paperback (0-943595-88-6), 352 pp.
$49.95 signed limited hardcover in dustjacket
(0-943595-87-8), 352 pp.


The focus of this groundbreaking book is on historical and present day events, activism and personalities, associated with San Francisco's Castro, America's most famous gay neighborhood.
The book consists of articles, essays, photos, drawings, fiction by some 35 LGBTQ writers chronicling The Castro during the past fifty years, especially the decades since 1970 when it emerged as a queer neighborhood with national recognition. Over 150 photos by different photographers (Rink Foto, Greg Day, Crawford Barton, Rick Gerharter....) are included, the earliest from the 1930s, the most recent from the present year, and document the vibrant life/activism of The Castro and the LGBTQ people who have made it what it is.

OUT IN THE CASTRO is divided into 5 main sections:

I. THE CREATION OF THE CASTRO: AN OVERVIEW
How the Eureka Valley district of San Francisco metamorphosed into The Castro, beginning with the entry into The City of many gay servicemen after World War II. Indepth illustrated articles.
II. THE 1970S: HARVEY MILK AND GAY POWER
The focus here is on three articles by people who worked closely with Harvey Milk in his Castro activism and campaigns for supervisor: Anne Kronenberg, Frank M. Robinson, Harry Britt. Also includes an indepth photo essay on The Castro Street Fair from 1974 to the present, and two other photo essays.
III. THE 1980S-1990S: AIDS, ACTIVISM, INNOVATION
Includes indepth piece on how The Castro came together supportively on the issue of AIDS. Also Rev. Jim Mitulski's "The Castro is a Sacred Place," Gilbert Baker's history of the Gay Flag, two articles by Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, profiles of The Gay Games and Freddie Niem's "Shanghai West Studio," Richard Labonte's history of A Different Light Bookstore, Laura Siegel's "Giving the Castro a Chance," (on the "coming-out" of her gay son), article on the Castro Police Sweep of 1989, Castro photo essays by Rink Foto and Rick Gerharter and much more.....
IV. CASTRO LITERARY ESSAYS, POETRY, EROTIC FICTION, CARTOONS
A melange of various Castro material, including Jewelle Gomez' poignant essay "Mighty Real," plus fiction, poetry, Donelan cartoons, and a one page photo tribute to the singer, Sylvester.
V. A NEIGHBORHOOD IN TRANSITION: THE CASTRO IN THE EARLY 21ST CENTURY
Includes "Shadows of Our Souls: Young and Homeless in The Castro" by Bruce Mirken, two articles by Tommi Avicolli-Mecca: on San Francisco's famous gay politician, Tom Ammiano; and a second one on the issues around evictions, gentrification and sky high prices. Also essay "A Castro Family," plus an indepth walking tour of The Castro which will be invaluable to any LGBTQ visitor to San Francisco.

Read in-depth online review of OUT IN THE CASTRO.

OUT OF THE CLOSET INTO OUR HEARTS
Celebrating Our Gay/Lesbian Family Members

Edited by Laura Siegel & Nancy Lamkin Olson

$15.95 paperback (0-943595-84-3), 160 pp.


This is the first indepth collection of true personal accounts written by the families (parents, siblings, grandparents, children and extended family) of gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people. Illustrated with numerous photos.
These relationships are explored in six sections:

WE'RE HERE, WE'RE FAMILY, GET USED TO US
WHAT'S GAY ANYWAY?
EXPANDING OUR WORLD
TAKING OUR FAITH SERIOUSLY
AND ALL WE DID WAS LOVE
I KNOW THAT YOU LOVE ME, BUT WHEN I WALK OUT THE DOOR WHO ELSE WILL?

The book ends with a poignant first person account by Dennis Shepard, father of Matt.

Mike Neubecker (on the front cover of the book with his son, Lee; photo by Jennifer Charney) writes:
"I'm the proud father of a gay son and hope this license plate will make people think and help remove the stigma of being gay. It might be a source of hope for gay youth who have a higher risk of suicide. Gay youth have trouble accepting themselves, especially when they hear negative messages at school, home and even in their house of worship. I think the plate also shows that gay people are valued members of families who love them."

Out of the Closet is the kind of book you want to keep forever and share with everyone you know. The stories are thoughtfully woven together, creating a warm tapestry of unconditional love and acceptance. This book should be read by all people who appreciate loving deeply and making the world a better place."
--Kirsten Kingdon, Dir. PFLAG (Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays)

"If history is biography as someone observed, then this book is nothing less than vital and moving history. The struggle of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people for equality before the law and acceptance by society has been fought and won in the last quarter of the 20th century. Yes, skirmishes are still being waged and bizarre and sometimes murderous acts of insanity are still carried out by sick minds, but no one doubts the final outcome. It is time to celebrate the victory. The homophobic majority in every Christian Church is in a steady retreat. The military leaders know that "don't ask, don't tell" will not endure. The personal stories in this book are first-hand narratives from the battlefield. For those who have not yet engaged their sexual fears, this book will be a godsend, revealing as it does the human side of oppression."
--Rt .Rev. John Shelby Spong, Episcopal Bishop of Newark, New Jersey (ret.)
Author of Why Christianity Must Change or Die.

"This book tackles the complicated terrain of family, gender and sexuality, and difference with honesty and complexity. I saw my own family's struggles and triumphs mirrored in these writers' words; and I saw a vision for a society based on families that take the time to understand and honor each other. I couldn't put it down until I'd hungrily feasted on every word."
--Felicia Park-Rogers, Dir. COLAGE (Children of Lesbians & Gays Everywhere)