Far From The Tree.

The winner of this year’s Green Carnation Prize was Andrew Solomon’s Far From The Tree, a book that is so powerful it could change your life.

“In exploring categories of physical difference, and conditions that do not reflect the unforgiving mainstream, Solomon makes familiar that which is different.”

Off the Virtual Page.

Today, December 3, is Polari Magazine‘s 5th birthday. Polari’s editor writes about how it stepped off the virtual pages this year and into the sensual world.

“Polari Magazine has had a whirlwind 5th year, and that’s thanks to the commitment of its contributors, who have kept the content fresh and alive as we diversified into projects that stepped away from its day-to-day running.”

Why America Forgets Its Mistakes.

The United States of Amnesia is an appreciative look at the life and work of the late Gore Vidal, and shows a man who was always ahead of time.

“Everything we chose was to show the lineage in his thinking, to show the consistency of his analysis, and how he was ahead of his time. He’s always been ahead. When you see it over and over again it really stands out. He was pointing this out all the way. Now he’s gone and we should pay attention.”

Diverse and Literary.

The Green Carnation Prize longlist for 2013 is a diverse and literary one, writes Christopher Bryant, Polari’s editor and one of this year’s judges.

“The longlist for the Green Carnation Prize is announced today, 1 October 2013. It is a challenging, diverse and decidedly literary selection.”

[rating=4]
180 min • National Theatre, London • From August 28 – October 26 , 2013

This is an Edward II for a contemporary audience. Bold, funny, insightful.

“Kyle Soller’s Gaveston is all confident swagger and sex appeal. He strides onto the stage and embraces Edward in a way that declares that that this is not a fraternal bond but a sexual one.”

The Future of America.

Author Patrick Flanery talks about his novel Fallen Land, a fascinating exploration at what happens to the individual in corporate America.

“I wanted to introduce a same sex-couple into that world to see what the response of their neighbours might be. Even the response of the ostensibly liberal family, who are suddenly feeling themselves to be at risk, and see risk everywhere.”

A History of Same-Sex Desire.

Curator R.B. Parkinson talks about A Little Gay History and how a heritage of same-sex stories is an integral part of the British Museum.

“When we created the web trail we used the term ‘same-sex desire’. When you’re talking about Ancient Egypt to say ‘gay’ or ‘queer’ is entirely meaningless. Same-sex desire avoids the issues with terminology. It’s neutral and not anachronistic.”

History and Visibility.

Tony Fenwick, the co-chair of the UK’s LGBT History Month organisation, talks about how teacher training is in conflict with the negative influence of pop culture, and the popular use of the word ‘gay’ to mean anything bad.

“We should be using LGBT History Month together with all the other events in the classroom. It’s invisibility that creates prejudice and it’s that invisibility that makes teenagers so frightened and alone when they’re growing up questioning their sexuality.”

On Fire.

Zak Black’s Glitterous, celebrates Pride 2013 with style, fire and hula-hoops. And Paul Heron.

“Zak Black has gone all out to create a 12-hour long event. It is going to be a funky, fabulous and chic way to celebrate Pride.”

The Extraordinary Happens Every Day.

Patrick Ness talks about his new novel The Crane Wife and how there’s a danger that social media can silence all but the loud voices.

“I’d just hate for the only people to speak to be the ones who are unafraid to be the loudest. The loudest are only part of society, and often not always the part that you want to hear.”