Lambda Awards Names Good Reads

I have a confession to make. I am a book geek. My house is full. I have a library in my lower level, no lie. Every room except the bathroom has books in it. Check that. There are books in the bathroom, too.

I have piles and piles of "must-reads" all over the place. The thing is, the list is fluid like mercury, always changing. There's always something to top what I'm reading. I guess you could say I have levels of "must-read." Which is why it was imperative that I attend this years' Lambda Literary Awards. I needed more must-reads.

This was a banner year for the Lambda Literary Awards (known informally as "The Lammys"). Recently officially endorsed by the City of West Hollywood, the awards will be presented in that beautiful city permanently, according to the director's letter. They've got big plans for the future, you can bet, and this years' presentation was the perfect kick-off.

First, an aside: I love food. I love unique salads and I love flavors that I would never think to put together. I'm telling you this because the Awards Committee had me hooked the minute I walked in the door. They fed us with salads to die for, a meat dish, and this potato creation that had to have come from somewhere north of clouds. I spent most of the entire cocktail hour talking with presenters, authors, and Beautiful People. Even the Mayor of West Hollywood was there.

Then they ushered us into the theatre. There, we were entertained by the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles (Who can come to my house any time and sing for me. I love a capella!), we laughed with the Gay Mafia, there were skits and presentations, a heart-wrenching In Memorium film that almost made me cry, and wonderful words from some of the absolute best LGBT writers and authors who gave us scads and scads of must-read books.

Ann Bannon (author of "The Beebo Brinker Chronicles") got special recognition, as did Malcolm Boyd ("Are You Running with Me, Jesus?") and Mark Thompson ("Gay Body: A Journey Through Shadow to Self"). All three were presented with Pioneer Awards.

Other winners: