Lambda Literary Foundation Announces Major Changes

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In a press release issued immediately following BookExpo America and its own festive literary awards celebration, the Lambda Literary Foundation Board of Trustees announced dramatic changes regarding the future of the nonprofit organization devoted to the recognition and promotion of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) writing. The changes, which include the resignation, on Monday, June 6, of the Foundation's executive director, Jim Marks, were precipitated by "the pending sale of the building housing [its] offices, combined with the consistently precarious financial state of the Foundation throughout its history," according to the Board's statement.

Other changes announced by the Board include the suspension of the 15-year-old The James White Review, a quarterly gay men's literary magazine, acquired by the Foundation in 1998. The Lambda Book Report, a monthly magazine with book reviews, interviews, and articles about LGBT publishing, will also suspend publication. The Board noted, however, that both will be reviewed for possible viability in the future, and the popular Lambda Literary Awards and showcase author readings will continue.

Lambda Literary Foundation Board member Katherine Forest told BTW, "The sale of the building closes today [Wednesday, June 15], as a matter of fact. It was a precipitating and urgent factor in very necessary discussions regarding the future of the Foundation."

In addition to working to "reconstitute [the Foundation's] publications," the Board's statement also noted its intention to "support other ventures along similar lines," including Books to Watch Out For, a literary review under the auspices of Carol Seajay and Richard LaBonte.

Forest said that, although Books to Watch Out For is an important and excellent review publication, "We need more, not fewer, review publications for the wide range of GLBT books today. We can't afford the loss of any entity that helps the dissemination and visibility of our books. We need and welcome the involvement of our writers and readers, and their support as we move forward to create a very solid base for a Foundation that's essential to us all."

The Lambda Literary Awards, or Lammies, Forest acknowledged, have grown in popularity and influence since their inception. "The Lambda Literary Awards are a substantial and significant presence on the literary map," she said. "They're the prime and most essential function of the Lambda Literary Foundation, because they're key to the visibility of our books. Each year, this prestigious award provides a stage for showcasing and celebrating the range, depth, and excellence of our GLBT literature. The New York City event, under producer Ben Hodges and hosted by Lea DeLaria, was a splendid show, and the Awards will continue with Ben Hodges as the executive producer." --Nomi Schwartz