Word sifted through various circles that gay leather author Larry Townsend had passed away. Close friend and fellow author Jack Fritscher released Larry’s official obit, which Lolita Wolf ran at her blog.
Although Mr. Townsend first earned his mark in the underground gay leather world of the 1950s, he was at the forefront of queer openness that coalesced when queer men and women marched for gay liberation(and against the inflammatory likes of Anita Bryant and the prejudicial right). One could argue that the clandestine world of gay S/M fell by the wayside when queers no longer accepted life in the shadows, but one cannot argue that Larry’s influence came to us in the 1970s and remained with us always. Indeed, when I first began delving into S/M literature, Larry’s presence immediately greeted me. I can’t think of the heyday of the newly-liberated queer publishing era without thinking of him.
And I’m not alone. Fellow author Thomas Roche remembered as well and his words serve as tribute that a good writer can open mind and make hearts accepting.
Godspeed, Mr. Townsend.
