Just In Time for Summer Reading: The 28th Annual Lambda Literary Award Winners

Jun 20, 2016 | Arts, LGBTQIA+, News

Nicholas Wong accepts the Lambda Literary Award for his collection of gay poetry, “Crevasse,” published by Kaya Press.

Nicholas Wong accepts the Lambda Literary Award for his collection of gay poetry, “Crevasse,” published by Kaya Press. Photo: Lambda Literary | Flickr.

Kate Clinton, writer, activist, and comedian, had the pleasure of announcing the winners of the 28th Annual Lambda Literary Awards at NY University Skirball Center for the Performing Arts on June 6th. There were over 500 guests at the event celebrating the creativity and great work being done by LGBT authors.

It was Clinton’s fifth year as master of ceremonies for this gala. She was joined on stage by Tavi Gevinson, a Broadway actress and editor, who introduced New Yorker Writer and author of “White Girls,” Hilton Als. He was awarded the Trustee Award for Excellence in Literature. “Powerful feelings rise up in me as I stand before you. Other people are my art,” he said.

Poet Eileen Myles won the Lambda Pioneer Award and was introduced by Native poet Natalie Diaz. “It amazes that it has taken this long for the country and arts to recognize what I have known all along. That Eileen is amazing. She mad a space four us,” said Diaz.

Nicholas Wong author of “Crevasse” and Carl Phillips, author of “Reconnaissance,” were winners in the gay poetry category. Wong encouraged attendees to start reading Asian poets.

This glittering event is not without some controversy. One of the earlier nominees for nonfiction was Alice Dreger’s book, “Galileo’s Middle Finger.” Trans activists were outraged over this book’s nomination because they argue that the author is transphobic. The board of Lambda Literary eventually released a statement and withdrew the book from their list of nominees:

After thoughtful, serious, and full consideration, Lambda Literary has rescinded the nomination of Galileo’s Middle Finger: Heretics, Activists, and the Search for Justice in Science from the LGBT Nonfiction category of the 2016 Lammys.

The nomination process did not include full vetting of all works to be certain that each work is consistent with the mission of affirming LGBTQ lives.

Lambda Literary will strive to improve the nomination process and work to maintain the highest standards in the awards nominations, recognizing literature that contributes to the preservation and affirmation of LGBTQ culture, and which honors LGBTQ lives.

This controversy makes it clear that LGBT culture is still as diverse, complicated, and energetic as it was during the early days of activism 28 years ago. The list of award winners follows. Explore this list of books and add a few titles to your summer reading list:

28th Annual Lambda Literary Award Winners

Lesbian Fiction

Gay Fiction

Bisexual Fiction  

Bisexual Nonfiction

Transgender Fiction

LGBT Debut Fiction

LGBT Nonfiction

Transgender Nonfiction

Lesbian Poetry

Gay Poetry (TIE)

Transgender Poetry

Lesbian Mystery (TIE)

Gay Mystery

Lesbian Memoir/Biography

Gay Memoir/Biography

Lesbian Romance

Gay Romance

Lesbian Erotica

  • The Muse, Meghan O’Brien, Bold Strokes Books

Gay Erotica

LGBT Anthology – Fiction

LGBT Anthology – Nonfiction

LGBT Children’s/Young Adult

  • George, Alex Gino, Scholastic Press

LGBT Drama

LGBT Graphic Novels

LGBT SF/F/Horror

LGBT Studies