Lambda Literary Foundation

Lambda Literary Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1987 by Deacon Maccubbin, John Preston (author), and Carol Seajay to promote LGBT literature and support LGBT authors such as Rita Mae Brown, Armistead Maupin, and Dorothy Allison. The organization is based in New York City and has been a leading voice in the LGBT community for over three decades, working with authors like Michael Cunningham, Andrew Holleran, and Paul Russell (author). With a focus on promoting LGBT literature and supporting LGBT authors, the organization has become a key player in the literary world, collaborating with institutions like the New York Public Library, The National Book Foundation, and PEN America. The foundation's work has been recognized by authors such as Edmund White, Michael Nava, and Cheryl Clarke, who have all been involved in the organization's activities.

● History

The Lambda Literary Foundation was founded in 1987 by Deacon Maccubbin, John Preston (author), and Carol Seajay with the goal of promoting LGBT literature and supporting LGBT authors like Pat Parker, Gloria Anzaldua, and Audre Lorde. The organization's early years were marked by a focus on publishing the Lambda Book Report, a quarterly review of LGBT literature that featured authors like James Purdy, Jane Rule, and Bertha Harris. The report was later replaced by the Lambda Literary Review, an online publication that continues to feature reviews and interviews with authors like Nicole Brossard, Diane DiMassa, and Leslie Feinberg. Over the years, the organization has expanded its programming to include events like the Lambda Literary Awards, which honor authors like Tony Kushner, Sarah Schulman, and Jewelle Gomez for their contributions to LGBT literature. The foundation has also partnered with organizations like the Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, and The Trevor Project to promote LGBT rights and support LGBT youth.

● Mission and Programs

The Lambda Literary Foundation's mission is to promote LGBT literature and support LGBT authors through a variety of programs and events, including the Lambda Literary Awards, which recognize authors like Michael Chabon, Alice Walker, and Adrienne Rich for their contributions to LGBT literature. The organization also offers writing workshops and retreats, such as the Lambda Literary Writers Retreat for Emerging Voices, which provides opportunities for emerging writers like Ocean Vuong, Natalie Diaz, and Roxane Gay to develop their craft. Additionally, the foundation partners with organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts, The Poetry Foundation, and The Academy of American Poets to promote LGBT literature and support LGBT authors. The foundation's work has been supported by authors like Joyce Carol Oates, Richard Ford, and Amy Bloom, who have all been involved in the organization's activities.

● Awards and Honors

The Lambda Literary Foundation presents the Lambda Literary Awards annually to recognize and honor outstanding LGBT literature and authors like Dorothy Allison, Michael Cunningham, and Andrew Holleran. The awards are given in a variety of categories, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama, and have been awarded to authors like Tony Kushner, Sarah Schulman, and Jewelle Gomez. The foundation also presents the Lambda Literary Trustee Award to individuals who have made significant contributions to LGBT literature and the LGBT community, such as Edmund White, Armistead Maupin, and Rita Mae Brown. The awards have been presented at events like the Lambda Literary Awards Ceremony, which has featured authors like Michael Nava, Cheryl Clarke, and Nicole Brossard.

● Publications and Media

The Lambda Literary Foundation publishes the Lambda Literary Review, an online publication that features reviews, interviews, and essays about LGBT literature and authors like James Purdy, Jane Rule, and Bertha Harris. The review is edited by authors like William Johnson (author), Katherine V. Forrest, and Karla Jay, and features contributions from authors like Diane DiMassa, Leslie Feinberg, and Jewelle Gomez. The foundation also produces a podcast, The Lambda Literary Podcast, which features interviews with authors like Ocean Vuong, Natalie Diaz, and Roxane Gay and discussions about LGBT literature and the LGBT community. The podcast is hosted by authors like Nicole Dennis-Benn, Carmen Maria Machado, and Alexander Chee.

● Community and Partnerships

The Lambda Literary Foundation is committed to building a community of LGBT authors and readers, and partners with organizations like the Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, and The Trevor Project to promote LGBT rights and support LGBT youth. The foundation also works with literary organizations like the National Book Foundation, PEN America, and The Academy of American Poets to promote LGBT literature and support LGBT authors. The organization's events, such as the Lambda Literary Awards Ceremony, bring together authors like Michael Cunningham, Andrew Holleran, and Paul Russell (author), and provide opportunities for networking and community-building. The foundation's work has been supported by authors like Joyce Carol Oates, Richard Ford, and Amy Bloom, who have all been involved in the organization's activities, and has been recognized by institutions like the New York Public Library, The Library of Congress, and The Smithsonian Institution. Category:LGBT organizations