Ivory Tower Boiler Room

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Today we have the pleasure of having Martha E. Stone, Literary Editor of The Gay & Lesbian Review, join Andrew in the ITBR. Martha is part of the selection process for books that end up being reviewed! She herself has written a wide range of book reviews. She currently serves on the Advisory Committee of The History Project for Documenting LGBTQ+ Boston. She was on the original Board of Directors for the Gay & Lesbian Review. She is also a retired research librarian from Massachusetts General Hospital. 

Martha shares all of her publishing wisdom, being that she’s a long-time contributor to The Gay & Lesbian Review. She talks all about the process of approving book reviews and what LGBTQ+ literature grabs her attention. Additionally, Martha raves about the books that she absolutely loves and what Spring and Summer LGBTQ+ Lit. to look forward to! 

To subscribe to The Gay and Lesbian Review visit glreview.org. Click Subscribe, and enter promo code ITBR to receive a free copy with any print or digital subscription!

Support The Gay & Lesbian Review on Facebook @glreview and Instagram @theglreview 

Support the books that Martha talks about! 

-"Abuela in Shadow," Abuela in Light by Rigoberto González

-"Henry James Framed: Material Representations of the Master" by Michael Anesko

-"Ma and Me: A Memoir" by Putsata Reang 

-"Moon in Full: A Modern Day Coming-of-Age Story" by Marpheen Chann. 

-"My Mother Says" by Stine Pilgaard

-"The Sea Elephants: A Novel" by Shastri Akella 

-"Young Bloomsbury: The Generation That Redefined Love, Freedom, and Self-Expression in 1920s England"  by Nino Strachey

Head to Broadview Press, an independent academic publisher, for all your humanities related books. Use code ivorytower for 20% off your broadviewpress.com order.

Order from @mandeemadeit, mention ITBR, and with your first order you'll receive a free personalized gift!

Follow That Ol' Gay Classic Cinema on Instagram, @thatolgayclassiccinema.

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Thanks to the ITBR team! Andrew Rimby (Executive Director), Mary DiPipi (Chief Contributor), and our Spring 23 Interns (Andrea, Kaitlyn, Rosie, Sara, and Sheila)

Watch this and all episodes ad free by joining the ITBR Cafe for only $5 a month! patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom

Bethan Roberts, an award-winning author, joins Andrew in the ITBR. Bethan has five published novels: “The Pools” that won the Jerwood/Arvon Young Writers’ Award, “The Good Plain Cook” which was on BBC Radio 4’s Book at Bedtime, “Mother Island” that received a Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Prize, “Graceland” that tells the story of Elvis Presley and his mother Gladys, “The Pools”, and of course “My Policeman” which was chosen as the 2012 City Read for Brighton. She writes drama and short fiction for BBC 4. She has been awarded the Olive Cook short story prize by the Society of Authors, and The Pindrop Short Story Award by the Royal Academy of Arts. She taught Creative Writing at Chichester University and Goldsmiths College, London. She currently lives in Brighton with her family. 

Bethan shares the process for writing her novels, which always begins with a real story. She gives us some examples of the real stories that her extraordinary novels sparked from. She emphasizes how she enjoys having a framework to jump from for some imaginative inspiration. 

Bethan also talks about the themes of desire and longing in her novel “My Policeman.” She reveals that the inspiration behind these themes came from growing up in the middle class as a woman, in which openly discussing erotic desire  was frowned upon.  She used this as inspiration for understanding the desires behind her characters Marion, Patrick, and Tom. 

Give Bethan’s book “My Policeman” some love: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/410597/my-policeman-by-roberts-bethan/9781529115765

Check out the Amazon Original movie production of “My Policeman”: https://www.amazon.com/My-Policeman-Harry-Styles/dp/B09Y85239L

Be sure to visit Bethan’s personal website: https://bethanrobertswriter.co.uk/ 

Follow Bethan on Instagram! @msbethanroberts

Head to Broadview Press, an independent academic publisher, for all your humanities related books. Use code ivorytower for 20% off your broadviewpress.com order.

To subscribe to The Gay and Lesbian Review visit glreview.org. Click Subscribe, and enter promo code ITBR to receive a free copy with any print or digital subscription.

Order from @mandeemadeit, mention ITBR, and with your first order you'll receive a free personalized gift!

Follow That Ol' Gay Classic Cinema on Instagram, @thatolgayclassiccinema.

Follow ITBR on IG, @ivorytowerboilerroom, TikTok, @ivorytowerboilerroom, and Twitter, @IvoryBoilerRoom!

Thanks to the ITBR team! Andrew Rimby (Executive Director), Mary DiPipi (Chief Contributor), and our Spring 23 Interns (Andrea, Kaitlyn, Rosie, Sara, and Sheila)

Listen to the rest of the episode by joining the ITBR Cafe for only $5 a month! patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom

Michael Kushner, NYC’s leading multi-hyphenate, joins Andrew in the ITBR for a show-stopping discourse. He obtained his BFA in Musical Theatre from Ithaca College, served as the Director of Programming for The Green Room 42, is the Executive Producer of the Emmy nominated web series “Indoor Boys,” and he’s the owner of Michael Kushner Photography whose photographs have been featured in The New York Times, Vogue, The Tony Awards, Playbill, and more. He is the creator of The Dressing Room Project, which is dedicated to photographing actors on and off-Broadway. He is the creator of the podcast Dear Multi-Hyphenate (Broadway Podcast Network) and the author of “How to be a Multi-Hyphenate in the Theatre Business: Conversations, Advice, and Tips from Dear Multi-Hyphenate.”

Michael talks all about the term “multi-hyphenate.” When he first searched up the term, he noticed how the definition seemed to only encapsulate celebrities that pursue multiple professional projects…but should the term only apply to celebrities? Michael shares how he changed the definition of multi-hyphenate in order to include any artist that has multiple proficiencies. 

Michael also dives deep into Broadway. He emphasizes that you do not need a BFA in order to successfully reach Broadway stardom, but rather anyone from any background with the confidence and talent can achieve it. He mentions how Broadway looks different for everyone. Some people see the dream as unattainable, while others are born into the industry just an arm’s length away. 

Head over to the ITBR Cafe, our Patreon, to hear the tea on upcoming musicals…Only $5 a month! patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom

Make sure to pick up Michael’s book, “How to be a Multi-Hyphenate in the Theatre Business: Conversations, Advice, and Tips from Dear Multi-Hyphenate”: https://www.routledge.com/How-to-Be-a-Multi-Hyphenate-in-the-Theatre-Business-Conversations-Advice/Kushner/p/book/9781032184159

Check out Michael’s podcast, Dear Multi-Hyphenate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dear-multi-hyphenate/id1432770164

Be sure to follow Michael on Instagram @themichaelkushner, and TikTok @themichaelkushner. 

Head to Broadview Press, an independent academic publisher, for all your humanities related books. Use code ivorytower for 20% off your broadviewpress.com order.

To subscribe to The Gay and Lesbian Review visit glreview.org. Click Subscribe, and enter promo code ITBR to receive a free copy with any print or digital subscription.

Order from @mandeemadeit, mention ITBR, and with your first order you'll receive a free personalized gift!

Follow That Ol' Gay Classic Cinema on Instagram, @thatolgayclassiccinema.

Follow ITBR on IG, @ivorytowerboilerroom, TikTok, @ivorytowerboilerroom, and Twitter, @IvoryBoilerRoom!

Thanks to the ITBR team! Andrew Rimby (Executive Director), Mary DiPipi (Chief Contributor), and our Spring 23 Interns (Andrea, Kaitlyn, Rosie, Sara, and Sheila)

Hey, true crime friends! This week we are covering a cold case that has come back ablaze. We are discussing the murder of Salem State University, computer science major Claire Gravel.

Claire Gravel was our with her softball team celebrating until the early morning when she was last seen. Two days later, three workmen discover her body by Route 128 in Beverly, Mass. It would be 36 years before officials could make an arrest.

Head to Broadview Press, an independent academic publisher, for all your humanities related books. Use code ivorytower for 20% off your broadviewpress.com order.

To subscribe to The Gay and Lesbian Review visit glreview.org. Click Subscribe, and enter promo code ITBR to receive a free copy with any

Order from @mandeemadeit, mention ITBR, and with your first order you'll receive a free personalized gift!

Follow True Crime in Academia on IG and TikTok-@truecrimeinacademia, and Twitter- @tcinacademia

Follow ITBR on IG, @ivorytowerboilerroom, TikTok, @ivorytowerboilerroom, and Twitter, @IvoryBoilerRoom!

Thanks to the ITBR team! Andrew Rimby (Executive Director), Mary DiPipi (Chief Contributor), and our Spring 23 Interns (Andrea, Kaitlyn, Rosie, Sara, and Sheila)

Sources:

https://abcnews.go.com/US/suspect-indicted-36-year-massachusetts-cold-case-murder/story?id=88806979&utm_campaign=later-linkinbio-abcnews&utm_content=later-29170902&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkin.bio

https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2022/08/24/claire-gravel-cold-case-john-carey-murder-indictment/

https://www.bostonherald.com/2022/08/24/indictment-to-be-announced-in-1986-cold-case-of-claire-gravel-found-strangled-to-death-in-beverly/

https://www.salemnews.com/news/local_news/30-years-later-claire-gravels-death-remains-a-mystery/article_b61aa99c-6fc8-5dbd-8d95-ba18638c5e0d.html

https://www.newburyportnews.com/news/killing-of-salem-state-student-still-a-mystery-30-years-later/article_6e312eb9-8e75-5753-8e3e-f39a317bff20.html

https://www.mass.gov/news/suspect-in-1986-murder-indicted

Andrew reunites with fellow queer male intellects Marty Padgett and Dr. Eric Solomon after having met them at the Queer History Conference in San Francisco! They discuss Marty and Eric’s lives living in the South as members of the LGBTQ+ community and how that has affected them. Marty discusses his childhood, where he lived across tobacco farms, and coming from a very Southern family. Eric grew up in Mississippi and discusses the pressure of playing football to fit the narrative of “what it is all men do.” 

Marty has an MFA from the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication . He received the prestigious 2019 Lambda Literary Fellowship. He is a PhD candidate in History at Georgia State University and is the author of “A Night at the Sweet Gum Head.” He is currently working on “The Many Passions of Michael Hardwick.” 

Eric is a Visiting Assistant Professor of American Studies and English at Emory University’s Oxford College. He received his PhD in English from Emory University and his BA in English and Spanish from the University of Mississippi. He is working on his first book, “Queer Straits: Desire Lines at the Southernmost.” 

Marty, Eric, and Andrew discuss the growth of LGBTQ+ media and entertainment, such as Playgirl and why queer men gravitated towards it!  They also talk about the modern day dating scene for queer men, especially when there’s apps like Grindr where you make sexual and romantic connections geospatially. 

Be sure to visit Marty’s personal website https://martinpadgett.com/ and follow him on Twitter @MartyPadgett and Instagram, @martypadgett.  
Be sure to visit Eric’s personal website https://www.ericesolomon.com/ and follow him on Twitter, @eesolomo and Instagram, @magicescapist.

Give Marty’s book “A Night at the Sweet Gum Head” some love! https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324007128/about-the-book/description

Head to Broadview Press, an independent academic publisher, for all your humanities related books. Use code ivorytower for 20% off your broadviewpress.com order.

To subscribe to The Gay and Lesbian Review visit glreview.org. Click Subscribe, and enter promo code ITBR to receive a free copy with any print or digital subscription.

Order from @mandeemadeit, mention ITBR, and with your first order you'll receive a free personalized gift!

Follow That Ol' Gay Classic Cinema on Instagram, @thatolgayclassiccinema.

Follow ITBR on IG, @ivorytowerboilerroom, TikTok, @ivorytowerboilerroom, and Twitter, @IvoryBoilerRoom!

Thanks to the ITBR team! Andrew Rimby (Executive Director), Mary DiPipi (Chief Contributor), and our Spring 23 Interns (Andrea, Kaitlyn, Rosie, Sara, and Sheila)

William V. Madison, author of “Madeline Kahn: Being the Music, A Life”, reunites with Andrew, in the ITBR, after Andrew’s 30th birthday bash on Fire Island to share how his life led to writing Madeline Kahn‘s only biography. William is a former producer for CBS News and a former associate editor of Opera News. He was  the lone production assistant for the Broadway musical “Rags” in 1986, and he studied at both Brown University and Columbia’s School of Creative Writing. 

Though William never got to meet Madeline, he was able to gather anecdotes of her life through friends and family. He shares his experiences talking to Madeline’s mother Paula, Gene Wilder, Mel Brooks, and other figures in Madeline’s life. This enabled him to learn more about Madeline’s experiences growing up, acting, and collaborating with other performers. 

William reveals why Madeline Kahn’s life and work inspired him so much and why he decided it was up to him to tell her story. He talks about how captivating he found Madeline’s acting and performances, especially when he dove deep into her theatrical process. He gives us niche movie recommendations that feature Madeline outside of her much talked about films “Blazing Saddles” or “Young Frankenstein.” 

Check out William’s biography on Madeline Kahn, “Madeline Kahn: Being the Music, A Life” https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/M/Madeline-Kahn

Learn more about the Hollywood Legends series on Twitter, @upmiss and follow the Madeline Kahn biography Facebook page, @AuthorizedBiographyOfMadelineKahn.

Head over to the ITBR Cafe, our Patreon, for more exclusive content featuring academics, authors, and artists…oh my! patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom

Head to Broadview Press, an independent academic publisher, for all your humanities related books. Use code ivorytower for 20% off your broadviewpress.com order.

To subscribe to The Gay and Lesbian Review visit glreview.org. Click Subscribe, and enter promo code ITBR to receive a free copy with any print or digital subscription.

Order from @mandeemadeit, mention ITBR, and with your first order you'll receive a free personalized gift!

Follow That Ol' Gay Classic Cinema on Instagram, @thatolgayclassiccinema.

Follow ITBR on IG, @ivorytowerboilerroom, TikTok, @ivorytowerboilerroom, and Twitter, @IvoryBoilerRoom!

Thanks to the ITBR team! Andrew Rimby (Executive Director), Mary DiPipi (Chief Contributor), and our Spring 23 Interns (Andrea, Kaitlyn, Rosie, Sara, and Sheila)

Hey, true crime friends! This week’s case is taking us across the Atlantic Ocean to Adarsh Inter College in India.

Fifteen-year-old student, Nikhit Kumar was beaten by his Social Science teacher after making a mistake on a test. Nikhit fought to stay alive, but sadly succumbed to his injuries over two weeks later.

Sources:

https://news.yahoo.com/indian-student-allegedly-beaten-death-221300414.html

https://m.timesofindia.com/city/kanpur/uttar-pradesh-beaten-by-teacher-15-year-old-dalit-student-dies-of-injuries-in-auraiya/articleshow/94462538.cms

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-35650616

https://www.cnn.com/2016/02/23/asia/india-caste-system/index.html

Head to Broadview Press, an independent academic publisher, for all your humanities related books. Use code ivorytower for 20% off your broadviewpress.com order.

To subscribe to The Gay and Lesbian Review visit glreview.org. Click Subscribe, and enter promo code ITBR to receive a free copy with any print or digital subscription.

Order from @mandeemadeit, mention ITBR, and with your first order you'll receive a free personalized gift!

Follow True Crime in Academia on IG and TikTok-@truecrimeinacademia, and Twitter- @tcinacademia

Follow ITBR on IG, @ivorytowerboilerroom, TikTok, @ivorytowerboilerroom, and Twitter, @IvoryBoilerRoom!

Thanks to the ITBR team! Andrew Rimby (Executive Director), Mary DiPipi (Chief Contributor), and our Spring 23 Interns (Andrea, Kaitlyn, Rosie, Sara, and Sheila)

Listen to the rest of the episode by joining the ITBR Cafe for only $5 a month! patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom

Today we have the pleasure of hosting Dr. Ramzi Fawaz, a queer scholar with a PhD in American Studies, and a professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ramzi joins Andrew in the ITBR to cover many thought-provoking topics that are discussed in Ramzi’s book “Queer Forms” such as pop culture, academia, activism, and identity. 

Ramzi recalls his time as an undergraduate at UC Berkeley and his PhD experience at George Washington University, mentioning the Queer and Feminist theoretical scholarship that informed his education. This was the foundation for Ramzi’s interest in Queer theory and LGBTQ+ pop culture, and how it can be used to share complex, scholarly ideas to the masses. Additionally, he discusses how activism also plays a role alongside scholarship. 

Ramzi and Andrew also discuss their experiences in academia, and Ramzi notes how, in 2023, it is such a different climate because of this social media age. He explains the conundrum of being at the tail end of traditional academic training, and entering the world of a digital wave of academia where success is equated to your online presence. 

Check out Ramzi Fawaz’s compelling book, “Queer Forms”: https://nyupress.org/9781479820733/queer-forms/

Be sure to follow Ramzi on Instagram, @nerdfromthefuture and Twitter, @NewMutantRamz 

Head over to the ITBR Cafe, our Patreon, to hear Ramzi’s unfiltered thoughts about LGBTQ+ representation in “Bros”… Only $5 a month! patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom

Head to Broadview Press, an independent academic publisher, for all your humanities related books. Use code ivorytower for 20% off your broadviewpress.com order.

To subscribe to The Gay and Lesbian Review visit glreview.org. Click Subscribe, and enter promo code ITBR to receive a free copy with any print or digital subscription.

Order from @mandeemadeit, mention ITBR, and with your first order you'll receive a free personalized gift!

Follow That Ol' Gay Classic Cinema on Instagram, @thatolgayclassiccinema.

Follow ITBR on IG, @ivorytowerboilerroom, TikTok, @ivorytowerboilerroom, and Twitter, @IvoryBoilerRoom!

Thanks to the ITBR team! Andrew Rimby (Executive Director), Mary DiPipi (Chief Contributor), and our Spring 23 Interns (Andrea, Kaitlyn, Rosie, Sara, and Sheila)

Today, Dr. Marc Stein and Andrew reunite in the ITBR after having first met each other at the Queer History Conference in San Francisco! Marc specializes in LGBTQ+ public history in both his teaching and scholarship. He is a professor at San Francisco State University, the director of OutHistory, and is a co-curator, along with Lisa Arellano, of Queer Pasts. Marc has published widely in the field of LGBTQ+ history and his most recent book is “Queer Public History: Essays on Scholarly Activism.”

Marc recalls the time when he started to explore LGBTQ+ history. He describes queer community studies in the 90s as an “explosion.” Even though the queer history of some major cities like NYC were getting the necessary coverage, he noticed a gap when it came to Philadelphia. While living and study in Philly, he decided to dive into its LGBTQ+ history and wrote “City of Sisterly and Brotherly Loves: Lesbian and Gay Philadelphia.” 

Marc discusses his thought process when writing scholarly work. He finds it important that his work communicate to those at the university and those outside of it. Andrew asks Marc why it’s so important to use first person in his work? Marc mentions that he has been both “criticized and celebrated'' for using the first person. Andrew also asks Marc about his “risky business” in mixing his personal life with scholarly work, and Marc explains how this helps a scholar maintain authenticity. 

Be sure to pick up Marc’s newest publication, “Queer Public History: Essays on Scholarly Activism”: https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520304314/queer-public-history

For more information on OutHistory, check out their Twitter, @OutHistory and Facebook, @OutHistory.org.

Head over to the ITBR Cafe, our Patreon, for exclusive bonus episodes featuring many academics, authors, and media personalities… Only $5 a month! patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom

Read more about Marc's work here: https://history.sfsu.edu/marc-stein

Read more about the Queer Pasts project here: https://alexanderstreet.com/products/queer-pasts

Head to Broadview Press, an independent academic publisher, for all your humanities related books. Use code ivorytower for 20% off your broadviewpress.com order.

To subscribe to The Gay and Lesbian Review visit glreview.org. Click Subscribe, and enter promo code ITBR to receive a free copy with any print or digital subscription.

Order from @mandeemadeit, mention ITBR, and with your first order you'll receive a free personalized gift!

Follow That Ol' Gay Classic Cinema on Instagram, @thatolgayclassiccinema.

Follow ITBR on IG, @ivorytowerboilerroom, TikTok, @ivorytowerboilerroom, and Twitter, @IvoryBoilerRoom!

Thanks to the ITBR team! Andrew Rimby (Executive Director), Mary DiPipi (Chief Contributor), and our Spring 23 Interns (Andrea, Kaitlyn, Rosie, Sara, and Sheila)

Happy National Poetry Month, ITBR listeners! To celebrate, we have special guest Jarrett J. DeStouet, a queer poet, actor, playwright, and professional massage therapist. Jarrett and Andrew reminisce about their theater days performing in the musical “Godspell” together. Jarrett also talks about his experiences as a writer. He shares a sneak peak of his upcoming satirical comedy, “Jemima’s Monologues.” 

Jarrett reveals his process of writing poetry, and how it “comes from a place where he feels.” He mentions how his poetry often expresses the experiences of himself and others, so he makes sure to respectfully reflect them in his writing. 

Jarrett and Andrew talk about the importance of authenticity in personal expression online. Andrew mentions Jarrett’s genuine nature when posting to TikTok. Jarrett says that he “can’t be anyone else but himself” online and says we all should be true to ourselves.

When discussing authenticity, Jarrett recalls when he and Andrew performed in the musical “Godspell” and mentions Andrew’s authenticity when performing on stage. Jarrett also describes the struggle he had playing the character Judas, a “spiritual warfare” weighing him down while he was method acting for the role. 

Be sure to follow Jarrett on Instagram, @jarrettj.destouet, TikTok, @boldlyg31, and Facebook, @JarrettDeStouet. 

Head over to the ITBR Cafe, our Patreon, for exclusive bonus episodes featuring many academics, authors, and media personalities… Only $5 a month! patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom

Head to Broadview Press, an independent academic publisher, for all your humanities related books. Use code ivorytower for 20% off your broadviewpress.com order.

To subscribe to The Gay and Lesbian Review visit glreview.org. Click Subscribe, and enter promo code ITBR to receive a free copy with any print or digital subscription.

Order from @mandeemadeit, mention ITBR, and with your first order you'll receive a free personalized gift!

Follow That Ol' Gay Classic Cinema on Instagram, @thatolgayclassiccinema.

Follow ITBR on IG, @ivorytowerboilerroom, TikTok, @ivorytowerboilerroom, and Twitter, @IvoryBoilerRoom!

Thanks to the ITBR team! Andrew Rimby (Executive Director), Mary DiPipi (Chief Contributor), and our Spring 23 Interns (Andrea, Kaitlyn, Rosie, Sara, and Sheila)