Musicals, gay activism, Jesse Helms, and “Tales of the City” might seem an odd mix anywhere else.
The setting was Armistead Maupin’s appearance Friday morning at the NLGJA Convention, which attracted a loyal group of fans who turned out to be as interested in the author’s personal journey as in that of his beloved characters.
The Maupin Q&A was moderated by Hank Plante, the recently retired CBS5 San Francisco newsman who was one of the first openly gay TV reporters.
The draw for many in attendance seemed to be Maupin’s quintessential San Francisco tales, first serialized in the San Francisco Chronicle. The story also chronicles Maupin’s personal journey – from a southern conservative Christian background to out gay man in San Francisco. Part of that journey involved work for Jesse Helms, a mentor turned nemesis.
“I had this whole new life that was opened up to me in San Francisco,” Maupin said. “I came here and, like a lot of people, I felt this exhilaration.”
That whole new life seemed too colorful not to share – first through the serialized “Tales” and the subsequent books and later through the PBS iteration. Up next is another book based upon the series, “Mary Ann in Autumn,” and a musical version of “Tales,” currently in development. Members of the group Scissor Sisters provide the musical score.
Conversation during the Q&A turned to gay rights and activism, in particular the marriage equality movement. Maupin, who married his husband in 2007 in Vancouver, thinks we’re seeing the last gasps of resistance from anti-marriage equality groups, as more and more conservatives speak out in favor of marriage equality.
“I think they see the handwriting on the wall,” he said.
“Mary Ann in Autumn” is set to be released this November and “Tales of the City” the musical hits the stage in May of 2011.
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