''Faggots'' is a 1978 novel by

Larry Kramer Laurence David Kramer (June 25, 1935May 27, 2020) was an American playwright, author, film producer, public health advocate, and gay rights activist. He began his career rewriting scripts while working for Columbia Pictures, which led him to Lo ...

. It is a

satirical Satire is a genre of the visual, literary, and performing arts, usually in the form of fiction and less frequently non-fiction, in which vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, often with the intent of shaming or e ...

portrayal of 1970s

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

's very visible gay community in a time before

AIDS Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a retrovirus. Following initial infection an individual m ...

. The novel's portrayal of promiscuous sex and

recreational drug use Recreational drug use indicates the use of one or more psychoactive drugs to induce an altered state of consciousness either for pleasure or for some other casual purpose or pastime by modifying the perceptions and emotions of the user. When a ...

provoked controversy and was condemned by some elements within the gay community.

Summary

The main character, Fred Lemish, is loosely modeled on Kramer. Lemish wants to find a loving, long-term relationship. His desires are frustrated as he stumbles through an emotionally cold series of glory holes, bathhouses,

BDSM BDSM is a variety of often erotic practices or roleplaying involving bondage, discipline, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, and other related interpersonal dynamics. Given the wide range of practices, some of which may be engaged ...

encounters and

group sex Group sex is sexual behavior involving more than two participants. Participants in group sex can be of any sexual orientation or gender. Any form of sexual activity can be adopted to involve more than two participants, but some forms have their ...

. He becomes disillusioned with the 1970s "fast lane" lifestyle dominating the gay subculture in and around New York. Lemish also expresses discomfort with the widespread use of multiple street and prescription drugs helping to maintain the party atmosphere. ''Faggots'' details the use of over two dozen 1970s party drugs and intoxicants such as

Seconal Secobarbital (as the sodium salt, originally marketed by Eli Lilly and Company for the treatment of insomnia, and subsequently by other companies as described below, under the brand name Seconal) is a short-acting barbiturate derivative drug that ...

poppers Popper is a slang term given broadly to drugs of the chemical class called alkyl nitrites that are inhaled. Most widely sold products include the original isoamyl nitrite or isopentyl nitrite, and isopropyl nitrite. Isobutyl nitrite is also ...

LSD Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), also known colloquially as acid, is a potent psychedelic drug. Effects typically include intensified thoughts, emotions, and sensory perception. At sufficiently high dosages LSD manifests primarily mental, vi ...

Quaaludes Methaqualone is a hypnotic sedative. It was sold under the brand names Quaalude ( ) and Sopor among others, which contained 300 mg of methaqualone, and sold as a combination drug under the brand name Mandrax, which contained 250 mg met ...

alcohol Alcohol most commonly refers to: * Alcohol (chemistry), an organic compound in which a hydroxyl group is bound to a carbon atom * Alcohol (drug), an intoxicant found in alcoholic drinks Alcohol may also refer to: Chemicals * Ethanol, one of sev ...

marijuana Cannabis, also known as marijuana among other names, is a psychoactive drug from the cannabis plant. Native to Central or South Asia, the cannabis plant has been used as a drug for both recreational and entheogenic purposes and in various tra ...

Valium Diazepam, first marketed as Valium, is a medicine of the benzodiazepine family that acts as an anxiolytic. It is commonly used to treat a range of conditions, including anxiety, seizures, alcohol withdrawal syndrome, muscle spasms, insomnia, a ...

, PCP,

cocaine Cocaine (from , from , ultimately from Quechuan languages, Quechua: ''kúka'') is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant mainly recreational drug use, used recreationally for its euphoria, euphoric effects. It is primarily obtained from t ...

and

heroin Heroin, also known as diacetylmorphine and diamorphine among other names, is a potent opioid mainly used as a recreational drug for its euphoric effects. Medical grade diamorphine is used as a pure hydrochloride salt. Various white and brow ...

. The book moves through, among other locales, a

gay bathhouse A gay bathhouse, also known as a gay sauna or a gay steambath (uncommonly known as a gay spa), is a commercial space for gay, bisexual, and other men to have sex with men. In gay slang, a bathhouse may be called just "the baths", "the sauna", ...

called the "Everhard" (based on the Everard Baths), a large disco named Capriccio, an orgy at the apartment of a successful gay lawyer, the spectacular opening of a club called The Toilet Bowl, and ends with a tumultuous weekend on

Fire Island Fire Island is the large center island of the outer barrier islands parallel to the South Shore of Long Island, in the U.S. state of New York. Occasionally, the name is used to refer collectively to not only the central island, but also Long ...

Characters

While ''Faggots'' contains over sixty named persons, only a few are fully fleshed-out characters. Some of the principal actors are listed here: *Fred Lemish — 39, mustachioed screenwriter, once pudgy now trim-waisted; believes he should find true love by 40; very much in love with Dinky Adams. Fred longs for the approval of his straight brother, Ben. Fred’s mother, Algonqua, appears in flashback as a classic Jewish mother. Fred’s mousy and passive father, Lester, died before the novel begins. *Dinky Adams — 30, bearded, in top physical shape; in high demand as a sex partner, he restlessly resists Fred's entreaties to settle down and make a household; his interest in leather and BDSM become more apparent as the book progresses. * Timmy Purvis — 16, handsome youth from small-town Maryland; recruited by Paulie and Durwood to be part of R. Allan Pooker's gay porn empire; gains the attention of everyone at Garfield Toye's penthouse apartment orgy; later join’s Hans Zoroaster’s modeling agency. * Randy Dildough — 30, president of Marathon Leisure Time, an entertainment company; thrill-seeking sadist; closeted at first, he becomes more public as the book progresses; desperately wants to make Timmy Purvis the next

James Dean James Byron Dean (February 8, 1931September 30, 1955) was an American actor. He is remembered as a cultural icon of teenage disillusionment and social estrangement, as expressed in the title of his most celebrated film, ''Rebel Without a Cause' ...

; sexually assaulted Robbie Swindon during a school play in high school. ;Bronstein family *Abe Bronstein — millionaire cake-mix manufacturer; finances movies with his riches; considering financing gay film using Fred Lemish's screenplay. *Ephra Bronstein — first wife of Abe; feels lesbian arousal from Nancellen Rictofen at the opening night of The Toilet Bowl, which they later consummate on Fire Island. *Richard (“Richie”) “Boo Boo” Bronstein — 24, son of Abe; keeps his body in top shape to increase his attractiveness on the gay scene; plots his own kidnapping to extort money from his father. *Wyatt Bronstein — 15, from New Jersey; grandson of Abe and nephew of Richard; uses his 10-inch penis to earn money; exchanges incestuous fellatio with Richard at the opening night of The Toilet Bowl; agrees to help Richard with his fake kidnapping scheme. ;Heiserdiener-Thalberg-Slough publicity firm *Irving Slough — 55, and portly; former psychiatrist and founding partner of ''Heiserdiener-Thalberg-Slough,'' an international publicity firm; renowned for lavish productions at Fire Island; placed ad for buff young man which Dinky Adams answered, though he later becomes jealous of Dinky's attentions. *Anthony Montano — 43, Fred Lemish's best friend; in charge of the Winston Man account at ''Heiserdiener-Thalberg-Slough''; cruises abandoned dockside warehouses for dark, anonymous trysts; takes Wyatt Bronstein as his lover. *Duncan “Winnie” Heinz — green-eyed, hay-haired Winston Man, male model extraordinaire and idol of all American gay men; self-supporting as a collateral heir to the pickle/ketchup fortune. *Troy Mommser — creative director at Heiserdiener-Thalberg-Slough; deflowers Timmy Purvis at Garfield Toye's orgy. ;Drag queens *Patty, Maxine, and Laverne — drag queens; stationary dancers; owners of the Balalaika disco; Laverne was Dinky's last lover before Dinky took up with Fred; despondent after the death of Patty in the fire at the Everhard Baths, Laverne returns to using his birth name, Jack Humpstone. *Miss Yootha Truth — drag performer; starving black man and aspiring singer; friend of Miss Rollarette. *Miss Rollarette — drag performer; carries a wand and goes about on roller skates; friend of Miss Yootha Truth. ;Tertiary characters *Blaze Sorority — birth name Allan Bloomstein, writes articles for gay newsletter; engages in beer-chugging contest at Fire Island with fellow gay journalist Bella. *Dordogna del Dongo — née Jones from Flatbush, middle-aged straight hanger-on of the gay scene; enjoys seducing gay men, including, after great effort, Randy Dildough at Fire Island *Durwood and Paulie — recruiters for R. Allan Pooker’s Stud Studios; discover Timmy Purvis as he arrives in New York. *Garfield Toye — gay activist and attorney; hosts the last orgy before everyone leaves for Fire Island for Memorial Day weekend. *Hans Zoroaster — 55; heads the ''Hans Zoroaster Agency'', with a stable of male models; he eventually adds the handsome young Timmy Purvis to his roster; friend of Irving Slough. *Myron Musselman — Randy Dildough’s boss; leads the ''Pan-Pacific'' family of companies, including ''Marathon Leisure Time.'' *Robbie Swindon — Mormon architect; muscled gymnast’s body; expelled from

Brigham Young Brigham Young (; June 1, 1801August 29, 1877) was an American religious leader and politician. He was the second President of the Church (LDS Church), president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), from 1847 until his ...

for being caught jerking off; sexually assaulted by Randy Dildough during a school play in high school; primarily courting Laverne.

Reception

The book has been influential over the years, though many have criticized Kramer for perceived negativity toward his subject matter and writing style. Upon ''Faggots'' release, the book was banned in the only gay bookstore in Manhattan. ''

The Washington Post ''The Washington Post'' (also known as the ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'') is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C. It is the most widely circulated newspaper within the Washington metropolitan area and has a large nati ...

'' noted that the book focused on "a peculiarly ugly, vicious, perverse, depraved, sado-masochistic subculture in which love does not exist–a subculture that homosexuals have been at pains to say is not representative of homosexual life" and slammed Kramer for "Pretty Lousy Writing." ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...

'' also criticized Kramer's writing abilities, calling it "sentence for sentence, some of the worst writing ..encountered in a published manuscript."In the advent of the

crisis in the early 1980s, it was discovered that the drug use, multiple partner sex and other behavior condemned in ''Faggots'' increased the risk of

HIV The human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) are two species of ''Lentivirus'' (a subgroup of retrovirus) that infect humans. Over time, they cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in which progressive failure of the immune ...

, which seemed to validate Kramer's criticism of homosexual promiscuity. Kramer was somewhat redeemed in the gay community. The gay scholar

John Lauritsen ''The Man Who Wrote Frankenstein'' is a 2007 book written and published by John Lauritsen, which defends the unorthodox hypothesis that the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, not his wife Mary Shelley, is the real author of '' Frankenstein; or, The Mode ...

commented on ''Faggots,'' saying, "The book showed courage and insight. It touched a raw nerve. It was disgusting, and very funny." The historian

Martin Duberman Martin Bauml Duberman (born August 6, 1930) is an American historian, biographer, playwright, and gay rights activist. Duberman is Professor of History Emeritus at Lehman College, Herbert Lehman College in the Bronx, New York City. Early life Du ...

writes that "to me, ''Faggots'' represented not uncanny clairvoyance but merely Kramer's own garden-variety sex-negativism".

References

External links

Google Books: "Faggots" online
{{Larry Kramer 1978 American novels American LGBT novels Novels set in New York City Random House books Works by Larry Kramer Novels with gay themes 1970s LGBT novels 1978 debut novels LGBT-related controversies in literature

Summary

Characters

Reception

See also

References

External links