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Seeking Stories of Queer California: A Hidden Histories Online ExhibitMain MenuIntroductionGalleriesA guide to each of the online galleries in this digital exhibit, grouped by topic or theme.ArtsAsian & AAPI LGBTQ+ peopleBisexual PeopleBlack LGBTQ+ PeopleCommunitiesDefying ExpectationsGay menHIV/AIDSLatino/a/x LGBTQ+ peopleLesbiansLGBTQ+ ActivismLGBTQ+ DiscriminationLGBTQ+ Life in CaliforniaMarriage and FamiliesPoliticsPrideReligion and SpiritualityTransgender People
Writing
1media/Carolyn weathers.jpg2024-04-22T14:20:20-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0449879"The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe,” said the French novelist Gustave Flaubert. Poets, novelists, playwrights, and creative writers of all kinds have been interpreting the world around them through writing for millennia. LGBTQ+ authors use their writing to ask questions about themselves and their world, to reveal themselves or hide themselves, to connect with other members of the community, and to understand what they believe.gallery2024-04-29T21:55:52-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0"The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe,” said the French novelist Gustave Flaubert. Poets, novelists, playwrights, and creative writers of all kinds have been interpreting the world around them through writing for millennia. LGBTQ+ authors use their writing to ask questions about themselves and their world, to reveal themselves or hide themselves, to connect with other members of the community, and to understand what they believe.
Collection Information
For more information on the materials in this gallery, see their holding institutions.
The Huntington Library Christopher Isherwood, typescript outline for the unrealized book of a musical based on Isherwood's Good-bye to Berlin and John van Druten's I Am a Camera Christopher Isherwood, typescript second draft of A Single Man Cover for Gravedigger by Joseph Hansen Eloise Klein Healy, typescript draft of poem, “There Are No Words for the Sexual Acts of Lesbians” The Gay Times, interview with Joseph Hansen titled “Simple Lessons” Joseph Hansen, letter to the Los Angeles Times editor Joseph Hansen, “Why I wrote Early Graves” Newspaper clipping from photograph album showing Christopher Isherwood and W.H. Auden Unattributed photograph of Zoe Akins Willa Cather, letter to Zoë Akins
Philosophical Research Society Cover and Dedication from The Treasure of Heaven Letter from Marie Corelli to unknown recipient My "Little Bit" Portrait of Marie Corelli The Soul of Lilith
1media/PRS_Corelli,Marie039_thumb.jpg2024-04-24T16:35:50-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0My "Little Bit" , 19193Written by Marie Corelli, published George H. Doran Company, New York. A prolific author, Corelli's works were largely concerned with Christianity, reincarnation, astral projection and mysticism.media/PRS_Corelli,Marie039.jpgplain2024-04-24T18:34:23-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/PRS_Corelli,Marie_photograph_thumb.png2024-04-24T16:25:23-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Portrait of Marie Corelli, 19083A prolific author, Corelli's works were largely concerned with Christianity, reincarnation, astral projection and mysticismmedia/PRS_Corelli,Marie_photograph.pngplain2024-04-25T10:33:01-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/Huntington21_mssHansen_b68_f07_001_thumb.jpg2024-04-18T15:32:47-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Cover for Gravedigger by Joseph Hansen, 19823Kathy Staico Schorr, artist, cover for Gravedigger (Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1982) by Joseph Hansen, Box 68(7), Joseph Hansen Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California. Joseph Hansen was an out crime novelist and poet noted for his main character being an openly gay man. Hansen had one child, a transgender man named Daniel.media/Huntington21_mssHansen_b68_f07_001.jpgplain2024-04-25T13:24:39-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/Huntington22_mssHansen_b59_f14_001_thumb.jpg2024-04-18T15:34:05-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Joseph Hansen, letter to the Los Angeles Times editor, 19842Box 59(14), Joseph Hansen Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California. Joseph Hansen was an out crime novelist and poet noted for his main character being an openly gay man. Hansen had one child, a transgender man named Daniel.media/Huntington22_mssHansen_b59_f14_001.jpgplain2024-04-25T13:24:51-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/Huntington20_mssHansen_b8_f12-003-20230927_thumb.jpg2024-04-18T15:30:14-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Joseph Hansen, “Why I wrote Early Graves,” circa 19872Box 8(12), Joseph Hansen Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California. Joseph Hansen was an out crime novelist and poet noted for his main character being an openly gay man. Hansen had one child, a transgender man named Daniel.media/Huntington20_mssHansen_b8_f12-003-20230927.jpgplain2024-04-25T13:25:40-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
12024-04-24T16:30:53-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Letter from Marie Corelli to unknown recipient, undated2A prolific author, Corelli's works were largely concerned with Christianity, reincarnation, astral projection and mysticismmedia/Corelli letter 2.pdfplain2024-04-24T18:32:56-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/Huntington19_mssHansen_b72_f17_p46_47_stitched_thumb.jpg2024-04-18T15:28:32-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0The Gay Times, interview with Joseph Hansen titled “Simple Lessons,” January 19872Box 72(17), Joseph Hansen Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California. Joseph Hansen was an out crime novelist and poet noted for his main character being an openly gay man. Hansen had one child, a transgender man named Daniel.media/Huntington19_mssHansen_b72_f17_p46_47_stitched.jpgplain2024-04-25T13:26:05-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/PRS_treasure of heaven_thumb.jpg2024-04-24T16:47:26-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Cover and Dedication from The Treasure of Heaven, 19062Written by Marie Corelli, published by Dodd, Mead, & Company, New York. Dedication reads: "To Bertha, A faithful friend is better than gold." Bertha Vyer was Corelli's lifetime partner and companion. A prolific author, Corelli's works were largely concerned with Christianity, reincarnation, astral projection and mysticism.media/PRS_treasure of heaven.jpgplain2024-04-24T18:34:05-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/Carolyn weathers_thumb.jpg2024-04-29T14:56:18-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Poster for Carolyn Weathers : shitkickers & other Texas stories2"In the South it's said that we don't have crazy people--we just have eccentrics. This book is full of eccentrics, their voices, and their lives. I loved it.'--Tee Corinne, author of Dreams of the Woman who loved Sex." Red, blue, and pink text on white background. The center of the poster contains a blue drawing of a pair of cowboy boots.media/Carolyn weathers.jpgplain2024-04-29T14:59:37-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/PRS_Corelli,Marie051_thumb.jpg2024-04-24T16:38:03-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0The Soul of Lilith, 18922Written by Marie Corelli, published by Grosset and Dunlap, New York. A prolific author, Corelli's works were largely concerned with Christianity, reincarnation, astral projection and mysticism.media/PRS_Corelli,Marie051.jpgplain2024-04-24T18:34:42-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/Claremont_Old Love Stories_thumb.png2024-04-15T11:48:38-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Old Love Story, 19861Illustration by Larry R. Collins from Old Love Story by Allen Ginsberg. First ed. New York: Lospecchio Press, 1986.media/Claremont_Old Love Stories.pngplain2024-04-15T11:48:38-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/UCR_Nader World Book of Naders_thumb.jpg2024-04-19T14:52:04-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0The World Book of Naders, undated1Family Genealogy, George Nader papers; MS 401; Box 5, Folder 18media/UCR_Nader World Book of Naders.jpgplain2024-04-19T14:52:04-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/Huntington04_CI_1133_p1_thumb.jpg2024-04-18T14:33:16-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Christopher Isherwood, typescript second draft of A Single Man, 19631CI 1133, Christopher Isherwood Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, Californiamedia/Huntington04_CI_1133_p1.jpgplain2024-04-18T14:33:16-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/UCR_Scott letter to Oprah_thumb.jpg2024-04-19T15:00:26-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Jody Scott letter to Oprah Winfrey, draft, December 21, 19991First page of draft letter from Jody Scott to Oprah Winfrey; Jody Scott papers; MS 408; Box 4media/UCR_Scott letter to Oprah.jpgplain2024-04-19T15:00:27-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/Huntington06_CdI3116p37China1930s_thumb.jpg2024-04-18T14:37:47-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Newspaper clipping from photograph album showing Christopher Isherwood and W.H. Auden, ca. 1930s1CI 3116, Christopher Isherwood Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, Californiamedia/Huntington06_CdI3116p37China1930s.jpgplain2024-04-18T14:37:47-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/Huntington16_EB_EKH_Box_1_There_are_no_words_thumb.jpg2024-04-18T15:16:39-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Eloise Klein Healy, typescript draft of poem, “There Are No Words for the Sexual Acts of Lesbians,” circa 19841Box 1, Eloise Klein Healy Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, Californiamedia/Huntington16_EB_EKH_Box_1_There_are_no_words.jpgplain2024-04-18T15:16:39-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/Huntington23_Box_147AkinsPhotoOfZoeAkins_thumb.jpg2024-04-18T15:35:44-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Unattributed photograph of Zoe Akins, circa 1930s1ZA 7265, Zoë Akins Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, Californiamedia/Huntington23_Box_147AkinsPhotoOfZoeAkins.jpgplain2024-04-18T15:35:45-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/Huntington24_mssZA_2980_001_thumb.jpg2024-04-18T15:37:30-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Willa Cather, letter to Zoë Akins, May 4, 19181ZA 2980, Zoë Akins Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, Californiamedia/Huntington24_mssZA_2980_001.jpgplain2024-04-18T15:37:31-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/MHL_72353957_Different-Light_thumb.JPG2024-04-12T16:08:19-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Flier advertising A Different Light bookstore's 1989 Gay Writer Series events1Collection: Gregg Araki papersmedia/MHL_72353957_Different-Light.JPGplain2024-04-12T16:08:19-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0
1media/UCR_KS Future Imperfect_thumb.jpg2024-04-19T14:44:15-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0Cover of Future Imperfect, 20101Cover art for Kirk/Spock "novel"; K/S Star Trek fan fiction collection; MS 320; Box 17, Folder 9media/UCR_KS Future Imperfect.jpgplain2024-04-19T14:44:15-07:00Beth McDonald0fdc6d8696ca8ca12c571f0f59d3d5703e5e4ab0