The community is invited to celebrate the 30th anniversary of a seminal work by a local black gay author.
“In the Life: A Black Gay Anthology,” by Joseph Beam, was published three decades ago, a milestone that will be marked with a reception and community discussion 6-8 p.m. Nov. 2 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. It is one of several nationwide occurrences to mark the anniversary, organized by The Counternarrative Proect.
Beam was a native of Philadelphia who wrote for local and national LGBT publications, including PGN. He published “In the Life” with Allyson Press in 1986 as the first anthology containing works by and about black gay men. Beam died two years later.
Copies of the book will be available for sale at the event, courtesy of Philadelphia AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room.
The William Way event will feature a keynote by Samuel Delany, one of the essayists featured in “In the Life” ; a panel discussion featuring Tyrone Smith, Guy Weston, Sharron L. Cooks, Jeffrey Haskins and Chris Bartlett; and poetry by Prentice Bush. Karen Smith of Weez the Peeples will perform, and Beam researcher Mikal Odom will deliver a call to action.
Light refreshments will be provided. For more information, call 215-732-2220.