The new nonfiction debut by poet, critic and Washington University writing professor Eileen G’Sell, Lipstick, gets beyond the gloss. Through rigorous research and candid conversations with lipstick fans and haters alike, the book moves past what you’ve already read about the iconic cosmetic’s history, ingredients and occasional double duty as an economic indicator. It explores…
Precious Names and Places: The Central West End and LGBTQ+ St. Louis
For as long as I can remember, grounding myself in history has provided steady footing. Even an evening at a new restaurant requires a quick Google search to learn the who, what, when, where, and why of the establishment’s history. In the period between 1990 and 1997 when I lived in St. Louis (South County,…
Coming to Left Bank Books: Poet and Activist Steven Reigns
Former St. Louisan Steven Reigns (he graduated from Parkway South in 1994), now an LA-based poet and activist, is not afraid of spending time with life’s unavoidable finale – death. He founded the Gay Rub Project in 2011, a collection of rubbings of LGBTQ+ historical markers and monuments, including many gravestones. The Gay Rub Project…
MTUG’s Telethon: “Community Made it Happen”
Last week’s 24-hour fundraising telethon by the Metro Trans Umbrella Group was the talk of the internet—it was such a cool throwback idea, updated for the social media age. “Old-school fun with a trans queer twist,” says MTUG’s executive director and co-founder Sayer Johnson. “Community made it happen.” So, how did it turn out? Well,…