A TLS AND GQ BOOK OF THE YEAR FINALIST FOR THE ORWELL PRIZES
The arrival of a great new talent is announced, an extraordinary work of social history that captures the story of black gay men in Britain like never before.
Description: In the face of the previous generation of black gay men, Jason Okundaye finds a vibrant community full of courage, charisma, and good humor, ready to share their past - nightlife, resistance, political battles, loss, gossip, sex, romance, and raunchiness. Through their conversations, he seeks to reconcile the narratives of black and gay in Britain, narratives that often seem distinct and disconnected.
Following the journeys and arrivals of these men in South London during the '70s, '80s, and '90s, Okundaye conveys their stories with rare compassion, listening as they share intimate memories and reflect on their lives. They faced and fought against the front line of the AIDS epidemic, created social groups, and organized underground celebrations. They fought with institutions (and with each other) and created meaning within a society that was often indifferent to their existence.
"Revolutionary Acts" captures a unique portrait of Britain from the perspective of those buffeted by the winds of marginalization and discrimination. It is a portrait marked by resilience and self-determination, inspired by the love and beauty black men have found in each other.
Pages: 304, Dimensions: 16x16cm
