Every year, just before Pride, I say I’m going to write a post promoting other queer writers/artists/musicians. And every year the month goes by and I end up thinking “Man, I wish I’d written that post about other queer creators…”
So this year, here it is, and only one week into the month itself!
This is by no means a complete list. It’s mostly about people I’ve worked with, I’m friends with, and/or whose work I love, but it also includes some people I’ve yet to read but have heard good things about.
Caveat: I’m only including here people I have confirmed, either via open online presence or by talking to the person, are openly Queer: that is, they are “out” on their social media. I have no interest in forcing anyone out of the closet just because I love their work. So if I have any doubt as to whether someone is in fact open about their queerness, I’m going to put them in my “Allies / People Who Write About Queer Characters Even If They’re Not Queer Themselves” follow-up post in a few days.
Also: There’s no particular order to this list, either. I’m not even going to try to do this alphabetically. But I am going to try for categories (although some folk fall into more than one).
Also Also: If you should be on this list and you’re not, you were not left off on purpose! Send me a message and I’ll edit to add. I’m kind of winging this in an effort to actually get something posted, and I’m sure I’m forgetting people!
Writers
Steve Berman – gay short story and novel writer, editor, and publisher. His own work is mostly in the fantasy/horror realms, but Lethe Press publishes authors in pretty much all genres. Twitter: @thesteveberman
‘Nathan Burgoine – gay short story and novel writer, in the science fiction, fantasy / urban fantasy, horror, erotica and romance realms. Twitter: @NathanBurgoine
Richard Bowes – gay short story and novel writer, in the sf/f/h realms. One of the Beloved Elders, in my opinion. Twitter: @rickbowes
Christopher Barzak – gay short story and novel writer, in the sf/f/h realms. Twitter: @CBarzak
Adam Carpenter – gay erotica and crime author.
Ellen Kushner – lesbian short story and novel writer, mostly in the fantasy realm, perhaps best known for her novels and stories of the Tremontaine family and the City they inhabit. Also perhaps well-known for being married to Delia Sherman. Twitter: @EllenKushner
Delia Sherman – lesbian short story and novel writer and editor, mostly in the fantasy realm. Twitter: @deliasherman
Seanan McGuire / Mira Grant – bisexual short story, novel, and comic book writer. As Seanan she writes fantasy, science fiction, and urban fantasy novels and novellas and the on-going Spider-Gwen title at Marvel. As her own evil twin Mira, she writes sf-horror. Twitter: @seananmcguire
Bogi Takacs – agender short story writer, poet, and blogger. Twitter: @bogiperson
Everett Maroon – transgender short story and novel writer and memoirist. Twitter: @EverettMaroon
Alex Bertie – transgender memoirist and YouTube personality. Twitter: @Alex_Bertie
Dane Bauer Hassid / Dane Kuttler – queer poet and local activist.
Jeff Baker – gay short story writer.
Michael Nava – gay crime author. Twitter: @micnavawriter
Lydia Schoch – queer science fiction author. Twitter: @TorontoLydia
Vylar Kaftan – “queer as fuck” science fiction and fantasy author. Twitter: @Vylar_Kaftan
Jean Johnson – bisexual, gender-fluid sf/f author. Twitter: @JeanJAuthor
Peter Dube – gay author and poet.
Adam Burgess – gay non-fiction author and blogger. Twitter: @HeWritesWords
Jerry Wheeler – gay author, editor, and blogger. Twitter: @jw_den
Jeanne Kramer-Smyth — bisexaul author and photographer.
Sarah Pinsker – queer musician and sf/f author. Twitter: @SarahPinsker
K.M. Szpara – queer sf/f short story and novel author. Twitter: @KMSzpara
Lee Thomas -- gay horror author.
Hal Duncan – gay sf/f/h author. Twitter: @Hal_Duncan
Bart Leib and Kay Holt — queer publishers of Crossed Genres. Twitters: @metafrantic @sandykidd
Amara Lynn — Enby queer urban fantasy author. Twitter: @AmaraJLynn
Clarissa C.S. Ryan — queer sf/f author. Twitter: @wintersweet
Jordan L. Hawk — queer non-binary author of fantasy M/M romance. Twitter: @jordanlhawk
Kace Alexander — genderqueer sf/f author. Twitter: @kacealexander
Musicians/Singers
Greyson Chance – gay singer/songwriter (alternative) Twitter: @greysonchance
Ryan Beatty – gay singer/songwriter (pop/hip-hop)
Darren Hayes – gay singer/songwriter (pop)
David Roundsley of Munich Syndrome – gay singer/songwriter (electronica) and memoirist
Levi Kreis – gay singer/songwriter (blues) and Tony Award winner.
Comics Creators
Joe Phillips – writer/artist (House of Morecock, Joe Boys) Twitter: @joephillipsart
Tim Fish -- writer/artist (Cavalcade of Boys) Twitter: @timfishworks
Alex Woolfson -- writer, Artifice, Young Protectors Twitter: @alexwoolfson