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Check Out the Scene at the Queer Book Oscars

By Elizabeth Daley
Lammy Awards
Lammy Awards

Over 500 literati attended Monday's 28th annual Lambda Literary Awards, recognizing excellence in LGBT literature, hosted by comedian Kate Clinton at New York University's Skirball Performing Arts Center. 
 
Writers Hilton Als and Eileen Myles were honored at the event with awards presented by Broadway star and Style Rookie editor Tavi Gevinson and poet Natalie Diaz, respectively. Gevinson read a long, heartfelt speech dedicated to Als, her friend and mentor, who received the Trustee Award for Excellence in Literature.  "I am in awe of you," she told him, before embracing him for what seemed like eternity. Diaz, who is Mojave American, celebrated Pioneer Award winner Myles while commenting on the irony of being a native woman presenting such an award to a white woman. Myles then appeared onstage mocking her own pioneer-ness in a fake raccoon hat, tossing it to the audience before reading a poem to celebrate her win.
 
For the first year, Lambda recognized the category of transgender poetry, awarding a prize to the late kari edwards for her book succubus in my pocket. Alex Gino, whose children's book George tells the story of a transgender fourth-grader who wants to play Charlotte in her school's production of Charlotte's Web won in the youth literature category. 
 
Femmes Damien Luxe, Heather M. Ács, and Sabina Ibarrola brought down the house when they won for Glitter and Grit: Queer Performance From the Heels on Wheels Femme Galaxy in the best LGBT nonfiction anthology category. The team took the stage decked out in glittering gowns and spoke passionately about femme visibility to a thrilled audience, prompting Kate Clinton to remark, "Never have the Lambda Literary Awards sounded so much like the People's Choice Awards."

See more photos of the ceremony on the following pages and find a full list of winners here.

Transgender feminist and 'I Am Cait' star Kate Bornstein with her girlfriend, Barbara Carrellas, in the audience at the Lammys.
Transgender feminist and 'I Am Cait' star Kate Bornstein with her girlfriend, Barbara Carrellas, in the audience at the Lammys.
Critic Hilton Als accepts his award.
Critic Hilton Als accepts his award.
Comedian and Lammy host Kate Clinton poses after the ceremony.
Comedian and Lammy host Kate Clinton poses after the ceremony.
Hilton Als, one of the evening's special honorees.
Hilton Als, one of the evening's special honorees.
Stylish Lammy attendees.
Stylish Lammy attendees.
Poet Pamela Sneed joins friends on the red carpet.
Poet Pamela Sneed joins friends on the red carpet.
More Lammy celebrants.
More Lammy celebrants.
Willy Wilkinson celebrates on the red carpet with his date before winning the award for transgender nonfiction.
Willy Wilkinson celebrates on the red carpet with his date before winning the award for transgender nonfiction.
More happy attendees.
More happy attendees.
Pamela Sneed strikes a pose.
Pamela Sneed strikes a pose.
A good time was had by all.
A good time was had by all.
More fun on the red carpet.
More fun on the red carpet.
Striking a pose.
Striking a pose.
A sweet moment on the red carpet.
A sweet moment on the red carpet.
Lesbian poetry award winner Dawn Lundy Martin sports a dapper suit while flanked by friends and fellow nominees.
Lesbian poetry award winner Dawn Lundy Martin sports a dapper suit while flanked by friends and fellow nominees.
Editors who won for their
Editors who won for their "Giltter and Grit" anthology strike a pose.
Hooray for inclusivity!
Hooray for inclusivity!
The editors of
The editors of "Glitter and Grit" celebrate their win in the LGBT anthology category.
Lambda solicits donations from the audience, and we do indeed look cute.
Lambda solicits donations from the audience, and we do indeed look cute.
Victor Yates wins for his debut book,
Victor Yates wins for his debut book, "A Love Like Blood."
Broadway star and Style Rookie editor Tavi Gevinson introduces her mentor and friend Hilton Als, who was honored at the ceremony.
Broadway star and Style Rookie editor Tavi Gevinson introduces her mentor and friend Hilton Als, who was honored at the ceremony.
Hilton Als hugs Tavi Gevinson after her emotional speech.
Hilton Als hugs Tavi Gevinson after her emotional speech.
Just one of the evening's entertaining book covers in the lesbian erotica category.
Just one of the evening's entertaining book covers in the lesbian erotica category.
Diana Cage and Joel Kim Booster cheer nominees in the gay erotica category.
Diana Cage and Joel Kim Booster cheer nominees in the gay erotica category.
Writer Eileen Myles reads a poem to the audience after receiving the Pioneer Award.
Writer Eileen Myles reads a poem to the audience after receiving the Pioneer Award.
Holly Woodlawn, one of many showcased at the Lammys' in memoriam tribute.
Holly Woodlawn, one of many showcased at the Lammys' in memoriam tribute.
Cristy C. Road, center, who presented the award for LGBT graphic novel, navigates the Skirball's crowded lobby.
Cristy C. Road, center, who presented the award for LGBT graphic novel, navigates the Skirball's crowded lobby.
Alex Gino, in polka dots, still smiling from their win for
Alex Gino, in polka dots, still smiling from their win for "George," an LGBT children's book.
Le Tigre band mamber and award presenter Johanna Fateman, in black, leaves the awards ceremony with her date.
Le Tigre band mamber and award presenter Johanna Fateman, in black, leaves the awards ceremony with her date.
A Lammy award held proudly by winner Damien Luxe, center.
A Lammy award held proudly by winner Damien Luxe, center.
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