Author, Playwright & Cultural Critic; Creator of "The Gilda Stories"; Founding Treasurer of GLAAD; Afrofuturism Foremother
Jewelle Gomez Biography
Jewelle Gomez is an American author, poet, critic, playwright, and activist whose work has contributed significantly to LGBTQ literature and culture. Her writing spans fiction, poetry, essays, and cultural criticism, appearing in a range of feminist and mainstream publications. Gomez's work often centers on women's experiences, particularly those of LGBTQ women of color. She received a Ford Foundation Fellowship to study at Columbia University School of Journalism and worked as a production assistant on "Say Brother," one of the first Black weekly television shows in the United States. Her years in New York City placed her within Black theater, including work with the Frank Silvera Writers Workshop and as a stage manager for Off-Broadway productions, where she also engaged in lesbian feminist activism and magazine publishing.
Gomez is best known for her debut novel, "The Gilda Stories," a foundational work in LGBTQ and speculative fiction. The novel, which has remained in print, won two Lambda Literary Awards in Lesbian Fiction and Lesbian Science Fiction/Fantasy. It is recognized as the first novel about a Black vampire published in the United States and the first vampire novel authored by an African American. "The Gilda Stories" follows its protagonist across two centuries, exploring themes of identity, empowerment, and transformation. Gomez adapted the novel for the stage as "Bones & Ash: A Gilda Story," performed by Urban Bush Women Theater Company in multiple U.S. cities. The novel has also been optioned for a television miniseries.
Beyond "The Gilda Stories," Gomez has produced a diverse body of work. She is the author of the essay collection "Forty-Three Septembers" and the short fiction collection "Don't Explain." Gomez served as playwright in residence at New Conservatory Theatre Center in San Francisco, which commissioned and produced her plays "Waiting for Giovanni," about James Baldwin; "Leaving the Blues," about Alberta Hunter; and "Unpacking in P'town," about retired vaudevillians. Her poetry collection "Still Water" adds to her literary contributions. Gomez's fiction and poetry appear in more than 100 anthologies, and her work has been published in The New York Times, The Village Voice, and Essence Magazine.
Gomez's creative work is closely linked to her civic and social engagement. She helped launch GLAAD as its founding treasurer, advocating for truth and dignity during the AIDS crisis, a contribution recognized with a special GLAAD Media Award. Her philanthropic work includes roles at NY State Council on the Arts, San Francisco Arts Commission, and Horizons Foundation, as well as serving on the founding board of the Astraea Lesbian Foundation. Gomez was executive director of the Poetry Center and the American Poetry Archives at San Francisco State University. She has described herself as a possible foremother of Afrofuturism, and her fiction is recognized within both the Indigenous Futurism and Afrofuturism movements.
Gomez's contributions to literature and activism have been recognized with an NEA Fellowship, two California Arts Council Artist's Residencies, and a Bram Stoker Legacy Award from Horror Writers of America. She also received the Berkeley Poetry Festival's Lifetime Achievement Award. Her life and work are the subject of the documentary film "Jewelle: A Just Vision," directed and produced by Madeleine Lim. Through her writing, activism, and public presence, Gomez has played a significant role in shaping LGBTQ literature, Black science fiction, and the broader cultural landscape.
Jewelle Gomez Videos
In Conversation: Jewelle Gomez, April Bey, and María Elena Ortiz
In "Atlantica, The Gilda Region," April Bey’s first solo museum exhibition in Los Angeles, the Bahamian-American artist positions herself as an...
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What topics does Jewelle Gomez speak about?
Jewelle Gomez is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Anti-Racism, Author, Black Heritage, Civil Rights, College, DEI, Futurism, Indigenous Heritage, Influential Women, Journalist, LGBTQ, Native American Heritage, Performing Arts, Poetry, Political, Social Activism, Social Justice, Storytelling, Women, Women's History Month, Women's Rights -
Where does Jewelle Gomez travel from?
Jewelle Gomez generally travels from Oakland, CA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent. -
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Jewelle Gomez is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Jewelle Gomez for your event is available upon request. Jewelle Gomez generally travels from Oakland, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Alice Walker, Blair Imani, Staceyann Chin, Elle Moxley and Ijeoma Oluo. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Jewelle Gomez for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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