Every week we post six lines from a work of ours, a work-in-progress or published or a recommendation of someone else’s work with at least one LGBT character. Posted at Rainbow Snippets here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/963484217054974

My snippets this week are from a nearly-forgotten hard boiled detective novel by Lou Rand called “The Gay Detective.” It takes place in “Bay City,” a thinly-disguised version of San Francisco. First published in 1961 and only recently reprinted. Here’s a link: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/491567.The_Gay_Detective

One complaint about the book is that the detective Francis “Frank” Morley puts on an effeminate manner. Here, Morely’s tough, ex-football player assistant “Tiger” Olsen is discussing that with Police Captain Starr. Olsen is speaking first in this snippet.

Olsen has apparently learned a few things…

“Yeah we got together. Down at Sandy’s Gym. Morley knocked me on my ass twice in five minutes, just for thinking what you think.”

“Oh, no! You mean that guy can fight too?”

“That I do.” Olsen rubbed his jaw reminiscently.

“Well then, why the hell does he act—”

“I don’t know Captain,” Olsen cut in. “Maybe it’s some kind of Eastern gag.”

I have a Queer Sci-Fi column about the book coming out in November. Watch this space: https://www.queerscifi.com/jeff-baker-boogieman-in-lavender-a-visit-to-xy-bar-or-my-glimpse-of-2023/

Next week, some snippets from an anthology appropriate for Halloween. —-j