Description
Immerse yourself in the vibrant history of Atlanta's gay scene with 'A Night at the Sweet Gum Head.' This compelling narrative, written by renowned author Martin Padgett, captures the essence of a transformative era for LGBTQ+ culture. Spanning the fantastical disco decade, this book serves as a dynamic chronicle of two unforgettable men, John Greenwell and Bill Smith, who became pivotal figures in the struggle for visibility and rights within a community facing significant challenges. Delve into the inspiring stories of resilience and determination that defined an era when Sweet Gum Head stood as the quintessential haven for drag performers and LGBTQ+ allies. As the South's beacon for marginalized identities, this book uncovers the trials and triumphs experienced in drag clubs, amidst the backdrop of police harassment and the fight against oppressive laws. With 384 pages of rich storytelling and intricate interviews, this book offers a heartfelt exploration of queer history that resonates today. Condition: BRAND NEW, ISBN: 9781324007128, Publisher: W W Norton & Company. *Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.*
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781324007128
Year: 2021
Publisher: W W Norton & Company
Pages: 384
Description:
Coursing with a pumped-up beat, gay Atlanta was the South's mecca?a beacon for gays and lesbians growing up in its homophobic towns and cities. There, the Sweet Gum Head was the club for achieving drag stardom.
Martin Padgett evokes the fantabulous disco decade by going deep into the lives of two men who shaped and were shaped by this city: John Greenwell, an Alabama runaway who found himself and his avocation performing as the exquisite Rachel Wells; and Bill Smith, who took to the streets and city hall to change antigay laws. Against this optimism for visibility and rights, gay people lived with daily police harassment and drug dealing and murder in their discos and drag clubs. Conducting interviews with many of the major figures and reading through deteriorating gay archives, Padgett expertly re-creates Atlanta from a time when a vibrant, new queer culture of drag and pride came into being.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781324007128
Year: 2021
Publisher: W W Norton & Company
Pages: 384
Description:
Coursing with a pumped-up beat, gay Atlanta was the South's mecca?a beacon for gays and lesbians growing up in its homophobic towns and cities. There, the Sweet Gum Head was the club for achieving drag stardom.
Martin Padgett evokes the fantabulous disco decade by going deep into the lives of two men who shaped and were shaped by this city: John Greenwell, an Alabama runaway who found himself and his avocation performing as the exquisite Rachel Wells; and Bill Smith, who took to the streets and city hall to change antigay laws. Against this optimism for visibility and rights, gay people lived with daily police harassment and drug dealing and murder in their discos and drag clubs. Conducting interviews with many of the major figures and reading through deteriorating gay archives, Padgett expertly re-creates Atlanta from a time when a vibrant, new queer culture of drag and pride came into being.