Over the past thirty years, Terrence McNally has penned more than two dozen plays, many echoing the themes and character dynamics seen in Love! Valour! Compassion! In his 1991 work, Lips Together, Teeth Apart, audiences are drawn into a Fourth of July gathering on Fire Island where two heterosexual married couples confront an array of unsettling issues. The vacation home, inherited by one of the women after the AIDS-related death of her brother, becomes a setting for exploring their own homophobia, troubled marriages, and existential fears.

The year following the release of Love! Valour! Compassion!, McNally was awarded a Tony for Best Play for his evocative biographical piece Master Class (1996). At first glance, the play appears to depict a mere series of vocal lessons given by the iconic Maria Callas at Juilliard. Yet beneath this exterior, it delves into the intricate bond between artistry and the artist, examining the sacrifices demanded by a life devoted to creative excellence.

Tony Kushner’s Acclaimed Work

Tony Kushner’s monumental two-part play, Angels in America (1991), unfolds in the mid-1980s amidst the burgeoning AIDS crisis. Garnered critical acclaim, it stands as one of the most celebrated dramas of the twentieth century and was adapted into a television film in 2003.

Larry Kramer's Impactful Drama

Another poignant work addressing the AIDS epidemic in America is Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart (1986). This play starkly portrays the initial days of the AIDS crisis and highlights the inadequate response from society to the urgent needs of the gay community. Like Kushner's masterpiece, it has been hailed as one of the century's finest dramas and transitioned to the small screen as a television movie in 2003.

Guiding the Youth

Jason Rich's book, Growing Up Gay in America: Informative and Practical Advice for Teen Guys Questioning Their Sexuality and Growing Up Gay (2002), offers a compassionate and comprehensive exploration for teen males navigating questions of sexuality. It addresses topics ranging from self-acceptance to fitting in, providing detailed insights into relationships, the gay social scene, and resources like gay-friendly organizations, advice lines, schools, churches, and websites.

Celebrating Alvin Ailey

The autobiography, Revelations: The Autobiography of Alvin Ailey (2000), named after one of Ailey’s celebrated ballets, offers a rich tapestry of his life story. Completed posthumously by co-author Peter A. Bailey, the book weaves together interviews with dancers, colleagues, and friends who knew Ailey, alongside the reflections of Ailey himself. It chronicles his journey from a childhood marked by poverty in Texas to the challenges of politics and racism, and ultimately the establishment of the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.