Free Literary Event Explores Queer Perspectives With Authors and City Poet Laureate
The City of West Hollywood will conclude its 2024 WeHo Reads literary series with WeHo Reads: Through a Lens Queerly, an in-person event on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The event is to take place at the Council Chambers/Public Meeting Room at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard. Admission is free, but RSVPs are encouraged through Eventbrite.
The discussion will explore themes of memory, community, and self-examination through a queer lens, featuring a panel of creatives from various disciplines. Topics will include the questions: What makes a memory? What makes an idol? Through what lens do we examine ourselves and our community?
The event will be moderated by Glen Alen, a three-time Emmy-winning makeup artist, drag performer, and celebrity impersonator. Panelists include:
- Charles Jensen, who is an award-winning poet and author of Splice of Life: A Memoir in 13 Film Genres. His accolades include the Outwrite Nonfiction Chapbook Award and the Zócalo Poetry Prize.
- Manuel Betancourt, a Colombian writer and film critic, and author of The Male Gazed, was named one of 2023’s best books by Time and NPR. His work has appeared in outlets including The New York Times and Variety.
- Aaron Jay Young, a portrait photographer and author of Queen, a photography book highlighting over 100 drag performers, including Shangela and Sasha Velour.
- Jen Cheng, West Hollywood City Poet Laureate and author of Braided Spaces, will open the event with an original poem.
Books will be available for purchase through West Hollywood’s iconic independent bookstore, Book Soup.
Since 2013, WeHo Reads has brought notable and diverse writers to the community, hosting past participants such as André Aciman, Armistead Maupin, and LeVar Burton. The program is produced by the City of West Hollywood’s Arts Division in collaboration with BookSwell, a literary events company focused on amplifying historically excluded voices.
For more information on WeHo Reads events, visit weho.org/wehoreads.
