Gay Men's Book Group at COH: [Lost Prophet: The Life and Times of Bayard Rustin] by John D'Emilio

Gay Men's Book Group-Chicago is a free, open monthly book discussion group welcoming male-identified individuals of all ages who are interested in reading and discussing gay-related literature, both fiction and non-fiction. Books to be discussed are selected by the group and posted on their Facebook page and via their newsletter email.

This month's selection is Lost Prophet: The Life and Times of Bayard Rustin by our very own John D'Emilio, who will join us for the discussion!

One of the most important figures of the American civil rights movement, Bayard Rustin taught Martin Luther King Jr. the methods of Gandhi, spearheaded the 1963 March on Washington, and helped bring the struggle of African Americans to the forefront of a nation's consciousness. But despite his incontrovertibly integral role in the movement, the openly gay Rustin is not the household name that many of his activist contemporaries are. In exploring history's Lost Prophet, acclaimed historian John D'Emilio explains why Rustin's influence was minimized by his peers and why his brilliant strategies were not followed, or were followed by those he never meant to help.

Join us at the Center on Halsted (2nd floor) for a discussion of this compelling chapter of queer American history.