Lambda LitFest Los Angeles — a week-long celebration of LGBTQ writers and readers — takes place in more than a dozen venues across the L.A. area through Sunday.
The festival includes readings, workshops, pop-up events and conversations, and most gatherings free to attend.
“Lambda LitFest not only showcases the incredible literary talent of queer L.A. and California, it does so at a time when it’s critically important for LGBTQ readers and writers to come together to build stronger literary and publishing communities to face the uncertainty that lies ahead,” Lambda Literary Executive Director Tony Valenzuela says in a statement. “Freedom of expression, queer rights and social justice persevere when we create spaces for the free flow of ideas and then organize to demand the change we need.”
Here are some highlights, and here’s the complete Lambda LitFest event schedule.
WEDNESDAY
“An Evening with Bryan Fuller” will feature a conversation with Fuller and Alonso Duralde and Dave White of the TV and film podcast “Linoleum Knife.” Fuller, an openly gay TV writer and producer, has written for “Star Trek: Voyager,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “Hannibal,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Dead Like Me” and “Wonderfalls.” His forthcoming TV series are “Star Trek: Discovery” and “American Gods.” 7-8:30 p.m. in West Hollywood City Council Chambers, which is inside the West Hollywood Library
THURSDAY
“Gay Theatre, Its History, and Its Future” is a discussion about the roots of LGBTQ theater and its impact on queer culture. 7-8 p.m. in the West Hollywood Library Meeting Room
FRIDAY
“Sister Spit: The Next Generation” is an ensemble of lesbian, transgender and queer writers, poets and performance artists who use a humorous lens to address the issues and intersectionality of feminism, race, size, class, identity, technology, gender and sexuality. 7 p.m. in the West Hollywood City Council Chambers
SATURDAY
Lambda LitFest Los Angeles’ biggest event is a full day and evening of discussions, readings, entertainment and mingling held at Barnsdall Gallery Theatre.
What is the measure of LGBTQ progress? Members of the queer arts community will frame the challenges of our time, including inclusivity for LGBTQ writers and readers, how intersectional identities inform their writing, institutional barriers and new opportunities in publishing and a discussion of how each panelist addresses artistic practice and the practical matters of being a queer writer in this brave new world. 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Quintessentially Queer L.A. brings together luminary L.A.-based writers to express their definition of the queer literary landscape of Los Angeles. 1:30 2:45 p.m.
Queer Characters in Novels, Screenplays & Everything in Between is a cross-genre discussion between writers of fiction, young adult fiction, graphic novels, mystery and TV writing to discuss how their approach to crafting queer characters has changed and morphed as LGBTQ rights and visibility have expanded. 3 – 4:15 p.m.
Queer Truth: Nonfiction & Journalism in a Post-Truth World features LGBTQ journalists who engage in contemporary cultural and political issues that impact our daily lives. 4:30 – 5:45 p.m.
SUNDAY
“Literary Drag Race — All Stars Pop Up” is modeled around “RuPaul’s Drag Race” with drag performers reading new works they have written or reading pages from banned books. Noon at The Abbey.
“No Cure for Madness — Queer Male Poets on Death, God, and Desire” will spotlight poetry readings by three queer men of color: Kazim Ali, Blas Falconer and Miguel Murphy. 4 – 4:30 p.m. at Book Soup.
Lambda LitFest Los Angeles — a week-long celebration of LGBTQ writers and readers — takes place in more than a dozen venues across the L.A. area through Sunday. The writers pictured above will be participating in the festival’s readings, workshops, pop-up events and conversations. Almost all of the gatherings are free to attend.
