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Originally Posted by Greyson
Thank you so much for posting this. Back in the 80's I would attend the Lesbian Writers Series at the now closed "A Different Light Book Store" in SilverLake, a neighborhood in the City of Los Angeles.
Eloise Klein Healy read there many times. I remember she was also a professor at California State University, Northridge, CSUN. Her poetry moved me and what touched me even more about her is the time she took with her audience. After the reading was over she was always so engaging and kind with the people who lingered to speak with her. I know she also mentored younger lesbian writers.
Here's to Eloise Klein Healy. Job well done.She has earned this honor.
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I knew Eloise when I lived in L.A. and was just starting out as a writer. I worked at The Woman's Building and she was involved with the writing program there.
I had my very first reading ever, in about 1983 at A Different Light Bookstore in Silverlake. I still remember what I wore (white culottes, red blouse), and some of what I read. My friend Tommy (he has since died of AIDS), brought me a bouquet of flowers with a card that said, "I'm bustin' my buttons with pride."
Interestingly, a woman taped that reading, unbeknownst to me, and a few years ago got in touch with me through a publisher of mine and sent the cassette tape. Later she came through NYC and we met at a diner in the West Village. She's a butch out in San Francisco.
Eloise wrote a letter of recommendation, helping me get into graduate school. I haven't stayed in touch with her so much since I moved out here, but I have followed her work somewhat. A close mutual friend is the one who alerted me that she was getting the laureate.
Sometimes I miss L.A.