I cannot begin to express how proud I am to present this vibrant collection of articles by Carolina Dean, each thoughtfully crafted as part of his ongoing Pride Month series. This annotated bibliography highlights his insightful and engaging explorations of LGBTQ+ culture, history, and personal reflections, celebrating identity, resilience, and the power of storytelling.
Pride Month is celebrated each year during the month of June in honor of those who fought for LGBTQ+ rights beginning with the Stonewall Riots which began on June 28, 1969, in New York City. The following year, on June 28, 1970, the first official Pride marches were held in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago to commemorate the uprising. These early marches laid the foundation for what would become an annual tradition.
Pride Month as a national observance in the United States began in 1999, when President Bill Clinton officially declared June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month. In 2009, President Barack Obama expanded the designation to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. Pride Month has been celebrated globally every June, honoring LGBTQ+ history, activism, and community.
Today, sadly, the very freedoms fought for and attained since Stonewall are under attack under President Trump and his administration. Despite decades of progress, the fight for LGBTQ+ rights remains ongoing, with hard-won freedoms facing renewed challenges. Policies targeting transgender individuals, attempts to roll back workplace protections, and efforts to restrict discussions of LGBTQ+ history in schools serve as stark reminders that equality is never guaranteed. Yet, in the face of adversity, Pride endures—not just as a celebration but as an act of defiance, resilience, and unity. Carolina Dean’s work stands as a testament to the power of visibility and storytelling, ensuring that the voices of the LGBTQ+ community continue to be heard, honored, and remembered.
My Best Advice for Gay Youth
This article offers heartfelt and practical advice to young gay individuals, emphasizing self-acceptance, resilience, and personal growth. It encourages embracing individuality, learning from mistakes, and not being weighed down by the opinions of others. The author stresses the importance of facing fears, maintaining physical health, and building a supportive family—whether biological or chosen. Love and heartbreak are acknowledged as inevitable, but not insurmountable, while caution is advised regarding personal disclosures and relationships with straight female friends. Ultimately, the message is one of empowerment: life does not necessarily get easier, but individuals grow stronger and more capable of navigating its challenges.
WLGBT in Cincinnati
This article examines a notable episode of WKRP in Cincinnati that, despite the show lacking openly gay characters, addressed the stigma of homosexuality in the late 1970s. The episode “Les on the Ledge” explores a misunderstanding that leads news reporter Les Nessman to believe his career is over due to perceived homosexuality, prompting a mix of reactions from his colleagues. While some moments in the episode have not aged well, the article acknowledges its significance in challenging homophobia at the time. The author also shares a personal anecdote about meeting Richard Sanders, who played Les, and reflecting on how the episode resonated with their own journey of self-acceptance.
Samantha Has Two Dicks!
This article flips the common narrative of applauding straight actors for playing gay roles by spotlighting ten openly gay actors who became famous for portraying iconic straight characters. From Dick Sargent’s portrayal of the second Darrin on Bewitched to Sir Ian McKellen’s role as Magneto in the X-Men franchise, the list highlights performers who brought depth and authenticity to their roles while navigating a time when LGBTQ+ representation was limited. The article offers a refreshing perspective on queer actors in Hollywood and their contributions to mainstream television and film.
Are You Bein Served (Shade)?
"Are You Being Served?" is a British sitcom that aired from 1972 to 1985, centered on the eccentric employees of Grace Brothers Department Store. This article focuses on the character of Mr. Humphries, played by John Inman, who, despite never being explicitly identified as gay, embodied many stereotypically flamboyant traits that resonated with LGBTQ+ viewers. The author reflects on discovering the show in the early ’90s and how Mr. Humphries stood out as a rare, albeit coded, queer representation on television. With his witty one-liners, theatrical wardrobe choices, and unflappable charm, Mr. Humphries lived freely within the Grace Brothers family, inspiring the author’s own desire for acceptance and joy.
Reflections on Rocky Horror
The Rocky Horror Picture Show follows the journey of Brad and Janet, a straight-laced couple who find themselves at the eccentric mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter during the annual Transylvanian Convention. Though initially a box office failure, the film became a cult classic through midnight screenings, audience participation, and cosplay. The author recalls first watching it in the early '90s and highlights its significance in providing LGBTQ+ representation and promoting self-acceptance. The movie’s central message, “Don’t Dream It, Be It,” resonated deeply, inspiring Dean to embrace his own identity. Watching RHPS has since become a cherished Halloween tradition.
Crow Man and Star Man a Love Story
Crow Man & Star Man: A Love Story is a tale of eternal love, sacrifice, and the battle between good and evil. Crow Man, a powerful medicine man and protector of his people, is locked in an endless struggle against Snake Woman, a malevolent force that seeks to destroy all he holds dear. In this life, Crow Man falls in love with Star Man, a dreamer who longs to reach the stars. When Snake Woman manipulates events to turn a great spear meant for space travel into a weapon of war, Crow Man sacrifices himself to prevent catastrophe, carrying the spear into the sun. Star Man grieves, rejecting all others who offer him companionship, until a mysterious gathering of crows triggers a mystical reunion. Through Star Man’s unwavering devotion, Crow Man returns, revealing that their love transcended death itself—his essence had remained within Star Man, guiding him back. Their love proves to be an unbreakable force, stronger than death and time itself.
Torch Song Trilogy
This article examines Torch Song Trilogy as a deeply personal and transformative film about identity, love, and self-acceptance. Following the life of Arnold Beckoff, a drag performer navigating relationships, loss, and family conflicts in 1970s and ’80s New York, the film resonated with the author as a glimpse into a world of possibility and self-actualization. The commentary highlights the impact of Arnold’s journey, particularly his struggles with societal rejection, personal tragedy, and his powerful confrontation with his mother. Ultimately, the film serves as a reminder that coming out is just the first step in building a life of authenticity and fulfillment.
Wicca: A Gay Perspective
This article was written over twenty years years ago when Dean was actively involved in the Pagan Prison Ministry with WARD (Witches Against Religious Discrimination). He specifically wrote this for publication in the official South Carolina Department of Corrections Wiccan Study Handbook. The Handbook has since been updated and his name removed, but he has his original copy with his name on the front.
One Lie to Live
This article discusses a controversial storyline from One Life to Live (1992–1993) that introduced Billy Douglas, the first openly gay teenage character on television. The plot intertwined Billy’s coming-out journey with a false accusation of sexual abuse against a Catholic priest, reflecting the era’s anxieties around homosexuality, pedophilia, and the AIDS crisis. Dean critiques the problematic conflation of homosexuality with abuse while acknowledging the storyline’s impact, particularly for young viewers grappling with their own identities. Personal reflections highlight the significance of Billy’s journey, his eventual acceptance, and the rarity of positive LGBTQ+ representation in media at the time.
Normal is that You?
This article reviews Norman… Is That You?, a 1976 comedy about a father, Ben Chambers, who struggles to accept his son Norman’s homosexuality after his wife leaves him. The author reflects on seeing the film as a closeted gay individual and appreciating its rare LGBTQ+ representation despite its flaws. While the film relies on outdated stereotypes—presenting Norman as a conventionally masculine "straight-acting" gay man and his partner Garson as flamboyant and effeminate—it also portrays parental acceptance in a more progressive light than expected for the time. The review critiques the film’s heteronormative framing but acknowledges its impact, particularly in challenging toxic masculinity and affirming self-worth for effeminate men. The author ultimately embraces the film’s message of self-acceptance, despite its shortcomings.
Thoughts on Three's Company
This article examines the character of Jack Tripper from Three’s Company and his unique role in challenging stereotypes about both gay and straight men in the 1970s and 80s. While Jack, a straight man, had to pretend to be gay to maintain his living situation, many gay men at the time faced the opposite struggle—hiding their sexuality to fit societal norms. The show often relied on exaggerated gay stereotypes for humor, but Jack’s character also displayed positive traits such as intelligence, strength, and loyalty. He defied traditional expectations of masculinity, showing that a man could be both sensitive and strong. Ultimately, the article argues that rather than being a role model specifically for gay men, Jack Tripper was a positive male role model for all men.
Hot Take on Hedwig
This article explores Hedwig and the Angry Inch as a powerful story of identity, self-acceptance, and the search for wholeness. It examines Hedwig’s journey from Hansel, an East Berliner who undergoes an unwanted sex-reassignment surgery to escape oppression, to a larger-than-life rock performer chasing fame and validation. The analysis highlights the film’s themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, particularly through the lens of Plato’s Symposium and the idea that true completeness comes from within. Ultimately, the author reflects on the film’s personal impact, emphasizing the importance of self-love and the dangers of sacrificing oneself for external validation.
Ode to Billy Joe
This article explores the themes of shame, guilt, homophobia, and societal judgment in Ode to Billy Joe, both as a song and its 1976 film adaptation. It examines the ambiguity of the song’s lyrics and the film’s interpretation, which portrays Billy Joe as struggling with sexual confusion, trauma, and internalized shame, ultimately leading to his suicide. The author draws a personal connection to Billy Joe’s story, reflecting on their own experiences growing up in the South and grappling with similar feelings of isolation and self-acceptance. The article emphasizes the importance of representation, supportive communities, and the ongoing fight against LGBTQ+ intolerance, arguing that while society has progressed, many of the struggles Billy Joe faced remain relevant today.
Profiles in Courage
This article examines the character of Beverly LaSalle, a female impersonator played by Lori Shannon, who appeared in three episodes of All in the Family. Beverly’s storyline initially brings humor and challenges to Archie Bunker’s worldview but takes a tragic turn when she is brutally murdered in a hate crime. Her death causes Edith to experience a crisis of faith, highlighting the show’s willingness to address serious social issues, including homophobia and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals. Beverly’s character remains significant as one of the earliest representations of gender nonconformity on mainstream television.