Disasterama Adventures In The Queer Underground 1977 To 1997

Are you ready to dive into a world of excitement, rebellion, and unapologetic self-expression? Look no further than Disasterama Adventures! From 1977 to 1997, the Queer Underground scene evolved into a platform that allowed individuals to push boundaries and challenge societal norms.

Unleashing the Wild Side:

Disasterama Adventures brought a new sense of liberation to the queer community during a time when being true to oneself was often met with hostility. Despite the obstacles, individuals embraced their authenticity, leading to extraordinary stories of survival and triumph amidst a society that often turned a blind eye to their struggles.

Disasterama!: Adventures in the Queer Underground 1977 to 1997

by Alvin Orloff (Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7961 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	241 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

A Cultural Revolution:

From hustlers to drag queens, punk rockers to artists, Disasterama Adventures was a historic cultural revolution that shook the very foundations of conformity. It was a movement driven by resilience, imagination, and the unwavering commitment to creating a safe space where members of the queer community could express themselves freely.

The Birth of Icons:

Within the Queer Underground scene, a multitude of iconic figures emerged, each leaving their indelible mark on history. From the legendary drag queen Ethel Merman to the captivating poet Sylvia Rivera, these individuals became beacons of hope and inspiration for generations to come. They fought for justice, equality, and paved the way for the queer rights movement that continues today.

Unforgettable Events:

Disasterama Adventures was not just about the people; it was about the unforgettable events that took place during those glorious decades. From secret warehouse parties filled with vibrant costumes and electrifying music to daring protests demanding basic human rights, each event became a catalyst for change and a testament to the resilience of the queer community.

An Ever-Evolving Community:

The Queer Underground scene of 1977 to 1997 was not static; it was a constantly evolving community that pushed boundaries and defied societal expectations. With unique fashion trends, experimental art forms, and a diverse range of identities, Disasterama Adventures was a testament to the power of inclusivity and self-discovery.

The Legacy Lives On:

Although Disasterama Adventures may belong to a bygone era, its legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of those who experienced it. The indomitable spirit of the queer community, the unwavering pursuit of individual freedom, and the relentless battle against discrimination continue to shape the world we live in today. Disasterama Adventures ignited a flame that will never be extinguished.

Disasterama!: Adventures in the Queer Underground 1977 to 1997

by Alvin Orloff (Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7961 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	241 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

***2020 LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD FINALIST***

DISASTERAMA: Adventures in the Queer Underground 1977 to 1997, is the true story of Alvin Orloff who, as a shy kid from the suburbs of San Francisco, stumbled into the wild, eclectic crowd of Crazy Club Kids, Punk Rock Nutters, Goofy Goofballs, Fashion Victims, Disco Dollies, Happy Hustlers, and Dizzy Twinks of post-Stonewall American queer culture of the late 1970s, only to see the “subterranean lavender twilit shadow world of the gay ghetto” ravished by AIDS in the 1980s. Includes an by Alexander Chee (How to Write an Autobiographical Novel.

In Disasterama, Orloff recalls the delirious adventures of his youth—from San Francisco to Los Angeles to New York—where insane nights, deep friendships with the creatives of the underground, and thrilling bi-coastal living led to a free-spirited life of art, manic performance, high camp antics, and exotic sexual encounters, until AIDS threatened to destroy everything he lived for.

In his , award-winning essayist and novelist Alexander Chee notes, "There’s a strange love I have for these times that can be hard to explain. How can I love what I lived through from a time that was as ‘bad’ as that? But as I read this, and those days came into view again, what I think of that love now is that there was a beauty to the beauty you found then that was made the more fierce by the horror of what was happening. If you could still find the worth of your life, still find sex, love, friendship, your own self-worth amid these attempts by the state at erasure and the ravages of the AIDS epidemic, then it had the strength of something forged in fire."

Orloff looks past the politics of AIDS to the people on the ground, friends of his who did not survive AIDS’ wrath—the boys in black leather jackets and cackling queens in tacky frocks—remembering them not as victims, but as people who loved life, loved fun, and who were a part of the insane jigsaw of Orloff’s friends. Disasterama showcases Orloff's wit and poignancy as he relays the true tale of how a bunch of pathologically flippant kids floundered through a deadly disaster, and, struggled to keep the spirit of camp and radicalism alive, even as their friends lost their lives to the plague.