Radically Gay: Gay Liberation in the Words of Its Founder

In 1950, Hay and fellow activists in Los Angeles founded the Mattachine Society, a pioneering homosexual rights group that helped lay the groundwork for contemporary lesbian/gay activism. This collection of Hay's essays, talks, pamphlets and manifestos reflects his insistence that gays are a cultural minority with shared values, psychological orientation, historical heritage and modes of communication. This perspective flowed from Hay's research into French Renaissance ""fool"" societies, which staged public plays spiked with political satire and gender reversal, and into the Native American berdache, a practice whereby men live as women (or vice versa) and combine the work and social roles of both sexes while being recognized as a distinct third gender. In 1979, Hay and others launched the ""radical faerie"" network, providing support groups and emphasizing gay spirituality to counter urban depersonalization. His pointed critique of homophobia and his exhortations to gays seeking self-acceptance make this collection especially timely. Roscoe, who has taught anthropology and Native American studies at the University of California, provides a useful introduction as well as commentaries on each selection. Translation rights: Jed Mattes. (June)