Summer is alive with new books on or about queerness from a kaleidoscopically diverse array of LGBTQ subjects and authors, from a variety of literary angles. Here's Part One of a three-part sampling of what's already published or is coming up.

In TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's new production of the hit musical "Ragtime," actor Leo Ash Evens gained inspiration for his role as a Jewish immigrant from his own family's heritage. He also shared stories from some other iconic roles he's played.

By explaining the lives of Irish LGBTQ people abroad and contributions of those who returned, 'Out In The World: Ireland's LGBTQ+ Diaspora,' now at the GLBTHS Museum, can help us understand how Ireland became such a welcoming place for Irish queer folk.

Several queer female authors have emerged in recent months to publish astoundingly impressive works of fiction. Each of the books profiled here are memorable, beautifully written, and well worth searching out for their resonant themes.

While we holed up indoors in 2020 —which now seems like much more than two years ago— prolific local gay author Mark Abramson took notes. He shared a few witty diary entries which are included in his latest book.

Raw and transcendent are the words applicable to Paul Mendez's semi-autobiographical debut novel "Rainbow Milk," a multi-generational dissection of sexuality, race, and religion on the rocky evolution of a young gay Black man, set in England.

Opening April 30 and running until August 7, San Francisco's Cartoon Art Museum presents the art of Ajuan Mance as part of its ongoing Emerging Artist Showcase. The Mills College professor is known for her vibrant portrait series, '1001 Black Men.'

On May 8, Rinabeth Apostol will take her last bow as Alison Bechdel in the 42nd Street Moon production of the Tony-winning musical "Fun Home." Just three nights later, she'll be on stage at the Magic Theatre in "Monument, or Four Sisters (A Sloth Play)."

One true way to envision Ocean Vuong is as, if not The Survivor, a survivor. His newly released second book of poems was occasioned by the silence that enveloped him after the death of his mother.

Domineering den mother Fefu dispenses aphorisms like casually tossed grenades in 'Fefu and Her Friends,' Irene Maria Fornes' oblique psychosocial puzzle play, now being mounted in a luxe American Conservatory Theatre production at the Strand Theater.

Douglas Stuart has carried forward from his Booker Prize-winning debut novel Shuggie Bain into its follow-up, 'Young Mungo.' What it shares with its predecessor is a brutal honesty about some lurid familial connections.

John Weir's short story collection 'Your Nostalgia is Killing Me' is made of linked stories that span a 40-year period, illustrating the power of nostalgia to alternately bring us to tears and make us laugh with familiarity.

We're in a tizzy over the multitude of arts and nightlife events that have sprung up in early Spring. Scroll through this week's Going Out, Homing's In and make a date; no fooling!

In closing our yearlong celebrations of the Bay Area Reporter's 50th anniversary, our twelfth online panel on April 7 will focus on five decades of the newspaper's history, with several current and former editors and writers.