In between some amorous comments, legendary LGBTQ writer Edmund White reveals a surprise location that he was cruised at, as well as what he’s been working on during the quarantine.
You grew up in the Chicago area. Is there anything that you miss about the area? The cruisy Oak Street Beach. Where you live now? In New York. Out of all your old haunts that are gone from there, which one do you miss the most? Well, the hottest one was the trucks at the foot of Christopher and under the train tracks along the Hudson. Guys would get into the holds of empty parked trucks and have late night orgies in the 1970s. What’s the best place that you’ve ever lived? Rome. You lived in Paris for a number of years. What’s special about Paris that isn’t common knowledge? The flea markets, and the big uncut cocks.
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Sophie’s choice: if you had to live in one place for the rest of your life, where would you live? In London, but it’s too expensive. What’s your favorite gay bar or club in the entire world? I liked The Stonewall in the sixties. It was a friendly dance bar with a jukebox. Which one of your own literary works in the most special to you? Hotel de Dream, because it involved research—which I love—and invention. Other than your own works, what’s your favorite gay literary work? Alan Hollinghurst’s The Folding Star. What’s your favorite overall literary work? Anna Karenina, because it explores the excitement and tragedy of love.
Other than yourself, what writer are you a fan of? Henry Green, because he’s so sly and funny. What LGBTQ civil rights leader do you admire? Sarah Schulman, because her politics are so enlightening. Which one of your old jobs least prepared you for what you do now? Public relations for an evil chemical company. What would your drag name be? Butch Cassidy. What have you been doing to keep yourself busy during the quarantine? I’ve written 150 pages of a new novel, in which I appear as a character. Will you ever retire? No. I have retired as a teacher, but I’m still writing. What’s the weirdest question that a fan’s asked you? “Why do you call this a novel instead of a memoir?”
Who would play you in a movie? Madonna. What are you superstitious about? Saying goodbye. Do you believe in aliens? No. What’s the gayest concert that you ever went to? A recital by a famous pianist when I was in my twenties, and he cruised me the whole time—I was in the third row. What’s the most times that you watched a movie or read a book? Key Largo, with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. I’ve seen it at least five times. What’s the last thing that you looked at online? The website for the Netflix series, Hollywood. What’s the best place that you’ve ever visited? Urbino. If God were to take you tomorrow, how would you like to be remembered? As a friend and a writer.
What do you want to live long enough to see? Trump’s imprisonment. What’s something that you learned in life only when you got older? To be more diplomatic and discreet. What did you learn from your parents? To be of service to others. Who’s your favorite performer? Gene Kelly in Singing in the Rain. What’s your best characteristic? Even-temperedness. How do you enjoy spending your time? Entertaining other. How do you take your coffee or tea? I take coffee, and with milk. What celebrity do you have crush on? Renée Fleming. Who do you admire? My ex, who’s a great doctor and a brilliant musician, and who’s generous to everyone he loves. If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be? Marilyn Schaefer, who was my friend for 60 years.
Where would you go in a time machine? To the1890s in Paris, if I were rich. What would your last meal be? Pasta alla Norma. What do you worry about? Dementia. What are you afraid of? Bad reviews. If you were a musical instrument, what would you be? A grand piano. Are you more like a sheep or a wolf? A sheep. Who depends on you, and for what? My husband, for support. Who are you closest with? My ex. What’s on your bucket list? A last affair. What’s your greatest regret in life? That I was too timid. What’s something secretive about you that people don’t know? That I’m a talent snob. Where can we see you? At virtual readings, here and there.
What a sweet man, someone who would be fascinating at a small party. Refreshingly unpretentious. (Incidentally, I developed my act performing on Christopher Street four months in a row, no comment about those trucks!)
White’s comments took me back to my early NYC haunts; the trucks, A Gentlmen’s Club, Man’s Country, Stonewall, meeting Elton John and Divine at Ty’s, Tebaldi at the Met, and then there was The Glory Hole ! I would like to be able to call him “friend.”