As a teacher and the mother of a gay son, I felt I must recommend the poetry of Roger Taber. It has helped my son and may also help others. I certainly think he should be invited to become involved in LGBT History Month 2006 if he is not already.
Apart from the fact that his poetry is very readable and relevant to life in the 21st century, all his books include a Gay Section. Other sections also include gay poems where appropriate.
These poems convey very positive images of gay men and women and are a delight to read.
It is so refreshing to find gay poems included in a general collection (Why should gay poetry be sidelined any more than gay people?). He writes as R. N. Taber and many public libraries around the UK stock his current titles: Love And Human Remains, First Person Plural and The Third Eye. A 4th volume (about to be published according to amazon.co.uk) – will be A Feeling For The Quickness Of Time and my family and I look forward to reading it.
Some reader’s comments on his books can be accessed on amazon.co.uk.
He has a poetry blog at the following address: aspectsofagaymanslifeinverse.blogspot.com
His contact address (in all his books) is given as rogertab@aol.com
Although many of his gay poems target gay men, others embrace the whole Gay Community. My son and a lesbian colleague who attended one of his poetry readings at Kentish Town Library (Camden) last year (to a mixed gay/ straight audience) said it was a delightful evening.
Best wishes,
Moira Winter (Mrs)