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Affiliates
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Works by
Jim Provenzano
(Writer)
[December 6, 1961 - ]
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Cyclizen (2007)
Kent R. Hyles, a 24-year-old jaded activist-emeritus, rides through
Manhattan as a bike messenger, dodging more than traffic. Ness, his
HIV-positive not-boyfriend, lures him to easier climes on the West
Coast as he prepares to leave New York.
Still recovering from a passionate affair with Eric Cleese, a
popular activist clone, Kent chooses the swift escape of traveling
on wheels through the streets of the New York in the early 1990s.
Even the advice of a Jamaican messenger leaves him confused, seeking
random sexual encounters when not working or avoiding cab doors.
Leaving New York would be easy, but he has a project, born of a
chance meeting with a corporate underling, Michael Sheets, who's
eager to learn how to sell AIDS philanthropy, and how to come out.
Trading in information for the promise of a lot of money, the
messenger learns how to use his skills for a conflicted idealism;
theft for a cause.
Each chapter heading is listed with the street corner where the
action takes place. Cyclizen offers a brisk and sexy read set
in a recent yet historic time in New York City. Parental surprise
visits, ex-lovers colliding at the laundry, and a brief tragic
accident stir up enough problems to inspire an evolution; no longer
citizen, not merely cyclist; a cyclizen.
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Monkey Suits
(2003)
The narrative of 'Monkey Suits' follows the lives of
five waiters, and a well-known married couple of the society set, from
autumn 1988 to spring 1989.
Lee Wyndam, shy and unfocused, finds that his
work-related affairs lead to more problems than passion. But when a
secretive affinity group leads him to the liberating world of AIDS
activism, his true passion may finally blossom with Cal, a biracial
videographer.
Brian Burns, Lee's insufferably handsome ex-boyfriend,
thinks the world owes him a living. His foray into 'the oldest
profession' leads to a strange encounter with a formidable and
familiar client.
Ed Seabrook, Brian's current boyfriend, is one of few
who actually enjoys his job. Along with Marcos Tierra, a club "celebutante"
between catered parties, and Ritchie Hurst, a (mostly straight)
struggling sculptor, each young man sees his life and beliefs collide
with society scions at a tumultuous AIDS benefit hosted by Trish
Fuller. Her husband Winston Fuller's homophobic editorials spur the
protest.
'Monkey Suits' captures an historic time in New York
City life, as well as the revolutionary AIDS activism of that era. An
array of Egyptian references weave a metaphoric perspective, evoking
an empire of contrasting wealth and servility.
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PINS
(1999)
The story of bigotry in athletics and one very short boy who
stands up to it.
Set in Little Falls, New Jersey in 1993, PINS weaves the
classic story of a Catholic saint into a compelling modern life -and
near-death- account of Joey Nicci, a fifteen-year-old Italian-American
wrestler.
After befriending Donald "Dink" Kohrs, Joey and his new
posse get involved in pranks and partying that eventually get out of
control, resulting in the death of a maligned fellow teammate.
The ensuing legal battle and media frenzy alter Joey's
life and his self- perception as a gay teenager while shattering his
fragile love for fellow teammate Dink. Like his patron saint, his battle
against his own teammates forces him to suffer for his beliefs. His
survival becomes a literary miracle.
A compelling story of a loving yet confused family,
coaches and teachers struggling with multiple issues of violence and
homophobia amid the clan-like world of teenage athletes, PINS brings
together elements now frighteningly common in the media; bullying jocks,
assaults on weaker students, faculty and families unwittingly allowing
such behavior.
Called "prescient" and "heartfelt" by two of today's
leading writers, PINS layers symbols from the worlds of animals and
religion, yet while achieving a unique literary style, it remains
accessible to the group for whom it speaks - gay teenagers.
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