by Belo Cipriani | Sep 29, 2011 | Belo Cipriani, Blind: A Memoir, GLBT, Lambda Literary Fellowship, Queer Writing, Writing
As a fan of Octavia Butler, Mary Shelly, H. G. Wells, Bram Stoker and Ray Bradbury, I sought shelter in science-fiction and gothic novels that made it easier to fantasize outside the hetero world. These authors made it possible for me to write stories that challenged...
by Belo Cipriani | Sep 28, 2011 | Belo Cipriani, Blind: A Memoir, Latinos
When I became blind one of the groups of people I struggled with the most was not children but the Latino community. They were polite while speaking English at bars, coffee shops, and restaurants, but as soon as I began to speak in Spanish, they would flock to my side...
by Belo Cipriani | Aug 6, 2011 | GLBT, Lambda Literary Fellowship, Queer Writing
Before Queer as Folk, The L Word, and Will & Grace introduced queer culture to the masses, I would spend hours rewriting songs, movies, and shows; tweaking lyrics from popular titles became a hobby — soon “American Woman” became “American Bottom Boy.” The...
by Belo Cipriani | Jul 4, 2011 | Americans with Disabilities Act, Blind Technology, Mobility/ Disability, Travel
As it has for many, the meaning of the 4th of July has changed tremendously for me from the time I was a nerdy kid in San Jose to a writer in San Francisco. Images of barbecues and city parks have been replaced by feelings of patriotism when I listen for the...
by Belo Cipriani | May 5, 2011 | Service Animal Disability
I decided to visit an old friend Facebook reminded me I knew who lives in the small town of San Carlos California. My friend was to pick me up at the bus depot after his kick boxing class, but because I arrived an hour early, I decided to take my guide dog Madge on a...
