From Lesbos to Lauderdale

From Sappho to 18th century depictions of “female friendships,” some of the most engaging and complex works of literature have dealt with historical and social constructions of homosexuality. Sappho, whose poetry was so beautiful that Plato considered her a muse instead of a lyricist, regularly dedicated love poetry to her...

By Erica K. Landau

April 16, 2009

[
        {
          "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
          "component": "16971022",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "15769925",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Rectangle 2x - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782206",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782207",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

From Sappho to 18th century depictions of “female friendships,” some of the most engaging and complex works of literature have dealt with historical and social constructions of homosexuality. Sappho, whose poetry was so beautiful that Plato considered her a muse instead of a lyricist, regularly dedicated love poetry to her female “friends” and companions. To celebrate the accomplishments of modern gay and lesbian writers, the Stonewall Library in Fort Lauderdale will be holding the Gay and Lesbian Literary Arts Festival April 24-25. Dozens of leading authors, journalists, and writers will speak and hold seminars and workshops, including American University professor and writer Andrew Holleran, journalist and cultural critic Felice Picano, and award-winning author Karin Kallmaker.

The Book Fair Expo, presentations, and workshops are all free, but if you want to get your drink on with the authors (We suggest lesbian-erotica writer extraordinaire Kallmaker), it’s going to cost you $25. Stonewall Library & Archives is located at 1300 East Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Visit www.gallafestival.org or call 954-763-8565.
Fri., April 24; Sat., April 25, 2009

Become A Member

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, New Times Broward-Palm Beach has been defined as the free, independent voice of South Florida — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.