Chronicling LGBTQ History and Culture with Owen Keehnen
Table of Contents
Introduction
Fiction Writing
Nonfiction and Biographies
Documenting Chicago's LGBTQ History
Upcoming Projects
Introduction
Prolific author Owen Keehnen was recently featured on the talk show Amber Live! to discuss his extensive body of fiction and nonfiction works capturing overlooked aspects of LGBTQ culture. As a novelist, biographer, and historian, Keehnen finds compelling stories across eras.
Fiction Writing
Throughout his career, Keehnen has explored the queer experience through novels spanning many genres. His humorous coming-of-age story Young Digby Swank showcases his talents for character-driven narratives.
Other fiction titles like The Sand Bar and Doorway Unto Darkness delve into more serious subject matter around relationships and identity. The Matinee Idol offers a glimpse of challenges facing a gay silent film star.
Keehnen's horror anthology Night Visitors earned acclaim as a Lambda Literary Award nominee. His passion for spinning insightful LGBTQ stories shines through in these imaginative works.
Order Owen Keehnen’s books today!
Nonfiction and Biographies
In recent years, Keehnen has focused heavily on documenting little-known facets of Chicago's vibrant LGBTQ history through biography collaborations.
Alongside renowned activist Tracy Baim, Keehnen co-authored three books profiling key Chicago community pioneers. Their works cover critical historical ground from 1960s civil rights struggles to today.
Keehnen also solo authored an in-depth biography of 1970s Chicago disco club Dugan's Bistro and its trailblazing founder. This text captured the thriving yet endangered disco era.
Documenting Chicago's LGBTQ History
Keehnen's dedication to celebrating Chicago's LGBTQ heritage has garnered significant praise. He was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 2011.
Through exhaustive research and personal interviews, Keehnen has preserved the stories of numerous influential but often forgotten local activists. His books highlight their grassroots work that paved the way for future generations.
As an author, Keehnen gives voice to those marginalized by mainstream history. He believes in the power of storytelling to build identity and community.
Upcoming Projects
Keehnen continues chronicling Chicago's legacy through new texts like his recent play Voices in Isolation depicting life in a pandemic.
He also frequently writes on arts and culture for LGBTQ publications globally. Keehnen shows no signs of slowing his efforts to spotlight meaningful hidden stories from the past and present.
Throughout his prolific writing career, Owen Keehnen has delved into little-known chapters of queer history through varied creative works. As an author, Keehnen deftly blends fiction storytelling with nonfiction biography to share impactful LGBTQ perspectives. His books offer lively windows into the past while also speaking to universal human truths.
—This article was written, restructured, or adapted by Russell with information gathered from sources around the internet. Russell is the producer of Amber Live and is greatly overworked to pull it all together. If it’s on the internet, it must be true. (We’re kidding.) BUT, if you find any errors or omissions in the article, please let us know so that we may correct the issue. Thanks for your support!
