Remembering Edmund White: When he proved himself wrong
White, who died on Tuesday at the age of 85, belonged to a generation of 'gay writers' who were not writing for a straight readership. He came to prominence at a time when homosexuality was illegal and publishing houses would routinely get sued for pornography over a 'kiss between two men'. White's visceral writing style and autobiographical works forced readers to get up close and personal with the grief of being 'different' in a cold and cruel world. White's father was ashamed of his son's sexuality, and his mother, a psychologist, saw him, as a 'guinea pig'. From trying to 'cure himself' to becoming one of the leading voices responsible for the explosion of queer writing in the mainstream was a long journey. White's The Edmund Trilogy — a coming-of-age tale of a gay man's life from childhood to middle age — tells this story. The first in the series, A Boy's Own Story, became an instant classic.
At a time when queer writers often had to work in isolation, White, along with six of his contemporaries, formed The Violet Quill — a club with 'a mixture of gay male friends, lovers and enemies' — to build a network for writers like himself. Four of the seven founders died in the AIDS epidemic. Through all this grief and love, White wrote 30 books, each bold in its own way, leaving a legacy of freedom.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scroll.in
15 hours ago
- Scroll.in
‘Why do we submit? / to fracturing?': A poetry anthology of South Asian women's traumas
White Roses by Lopamudra Basu Today, I click on Kolkata Gifts Online and order thirty white roses in a vase for you. Ma sends me the photo of the roses and tuberoses and the jasmine garland all adorning your face today. Two years ago, in that May of hell's heat and destruction there were no garlands. Flower sellers banished from the city like vermin thought to spread the plague, dying of thirst on the way, walking hundreds of miles, sometimes with no shoes Today, life goes on as usual in New York, New Delhi and Kolkata – do people even remember that there was no firewood or earth to bury the dead? No flights from Minneapolis or Chicago not even a phone call to hear you in the hospital. We have said often that we have to think of it as a natural disaster, an earthquake or a cyclone like Amphan that tore you away Except, it was not a forest fire and more a Chernobyl with many forewarnings. Two years later, so many names whispered by the wind, and so many lives like leaves blown away. So many souls still unmourned and some like the white roses in the vase pressed forever in memory's folds. Fractured by Feroza Jussawalla A purple pensiveness falls over me, as I contemplate fractured bodies and purple passions. Who will love me now, at sixty-six, with lumpectomied one and half breasts and a bulging inguinal hernia caused by moving boxes after the radical hysterectomy of cancers past. None will hold women broken and fragmented, afraid to touch cracked glass, like shards of crystal glassware, resulting from being, dropped in the deliberate abandonment of betrayals, wrought by those who should have loved us. Why do we submit? to fracturing? Grief is too painful to contemplate in purple pensiveness. Can we be Kintsugi'd? Using gold, to fill the cracks of my life, has become too burdensome— I will remain, 'feroza,', scarred with pyrite, copper turquoise, they call it in India, Nishapuri, like my Persian origins, Sonoran gold, in my new desert home, where sand pours through cracks like a sieve, unrepairable! Parrot (Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, ten years after the end of the war) by Vivimarie Vanderpoorten The woman who lost her son in the war shows me his framed photograph. But in his smile there is no hint of wrists firing a gun nor the shadow of hands hurling grenades in his clothes, no hint of a striped uniform. Like the parrot she now keeps caged and in whose wings she has clipped. there is no trace of the possibility of flight. But as the parrot hops around in his iron cage you can see the memory of freedom in his eyes a home land, branches and green fields in his now non-existent wings Evening of the 4th of July by Soniah Kamal She applies lipstick to her reflection in the dark of the computer monitor her face the bones of shadow play the color mute as she drags a red pencil she'd brought from the dollar store clearance bin to keep her lips in though she will fill them up like padded bosoms with a clear plumping serum that shines and winks no matter how dark the screen that conceals the peacock blue and green; the bruiser kiss She did not want she could not stop.
News18
a day ago
- News18
Tamannaah Bhatia Turns Heads in Dazzling Sequin Ensemble
Tamannaah Bhatia dazzles in a bold sequin look that perfectly blends glamour with effortless confidence. Tamannaah Bhatia has once again proven why she's a style icon to watch. The actress took to Instagram with a bold new look that exuded glamour, confidence, and effortless cool. In the striking image, Tamannaah was seen wearing a black Off-White crop top with a subtle peek of neon green, giving the edgy outfit an unexpected pop. Paired with a shimmering sequinned skirt that looked straight out of a high-octane performance stage, her ensemble was a brilliant play on contrasts. What truly elevated the look was the addition of a white, striped shirt—left unbuttoned and draped casually over her shoulders. It softened the bling with a hint of relaxed polish, adding a breezy yet structured layer that made the outfit appear both daring and wearable. Her caption summed up the vibe perfectly: 'There's power in shine, and in the women wearing it 💪🏼." She kept the accessories sleek and intentional—chunky statement rings and a refined diamond necklace brought just the right amount of sparkle, without distracting from the main ensemble. Tamannaah's makeup was clean and luminous, letting her outfit and confidence take centre stage. It was a masterclass in modern glam—bold, self-assured, and entirely unafraid of breaking the mould. Known for her opulent tastes, Tamannaah lives in a plush ₹16.6 crore residence in Mumbai's Bayview building. Her home is a reflection of her personal style—contemporary yet warm, with artistically designed interiors, cozy bedrooms, and a spacious balcony. One of the most enviable corners of her home is her walk-in closet, packed with high-end fashion and luxe accessories, reflecting her deep love for designer wear. Whether she's on the red carpet or relaxing at home, Tamannaah Bhatia continues to redefine what it means to dress with purpose, personality, and power. First Published: July 03, 2025, 08:32 IST
NDTV
2 days ago
- NDTV
Vikrant Massey On Trying To Gain Attention Through PR Activities: "I Tried And I Failed"
New Delhi: Having a strong PR strategy in place has become as important as hits and box office numbers for actors today in the entertainment industry. Recently, on a podcast with Rhea Chakraborty, Vikrant Massey spoke about how he had tried to up his PR game, but had failed. What's Happening Vikrant Massey is currently gearing up for the release of Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan. Recently, on Rhea Chakraborty's podcast, Vikrant Massey spoke about PR tactics and how they often left him questioning his own choices. He said, "There are days when I actually sit back and question my choices also. There are days when I probably fall weak, and sit with that thought for 2-3 days, am I doing the right thing, should I go and position myself in a certain way? Should I go out there and get clicked by paps? To each their own, woh zaruri bhi hai kyunki uska ek traction hain (That is also important because it has its traction)." Furthermore, he added, "I tried for 4-5 months, probably half a year. I started attending parties, I started renting out clothes, and they are so expensive. Itna paisa lagta hai ek hi baar kapde pehanane ke liye (It costs so much to wear clothes one time). 50-60K a day, per event. My wife, who was my girlfriend then, said why? For 4-5 hours, you are wearing big designer clothes, woh pure mahine ka kharcha hai humara (that is our monthly expense). I tried and I failed and I realised how uncomfortable I was. I was not being myself. I was always conscious of wearing those ultra expensive clothes ki kuch ganda naa hojaaye (clothes don't get dirty) because I had to return them." About Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is based on Ruskin Bond's beloved short story The Eyes Have It. The film features Shanaya Kapoor as a theatre artist and Vikrant Massey as a blind musician. The screenplay is penned by Niranjan Iyengar and Mansi Bagla, with music composed by Vishal Mishra. Described as an emotional love story, the film delves into the bond and silent understanding between the two lead characters. Produced by Mansi Bagla and Varun Bagla under Mini Films in collaboration with Zee Studios, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan marks an important chapter for Shanaya Kapoor. She was initially set to debut with Karan Johar's Bedhadak alongside Lakshya and Gurfateh Pirzada. However, the project was eventually shelved. Vikrant Massey's Upcoming Projects Vikrant Massey will portray spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in White, an international thriller directed by Montoo Bassi and produced by Siddharth Anand and Mahaveer Jain. The film revolves around the resolution of Colombia's 52-year civil war. In A Nutshell Vikrant Massey got candid about how PR activities have become an inseparable part of an actor's profession today. He further shared his own experience in trying to fit into the trend, but failing.
