Brontez Purnell

Brontez Purnell is an Oakland-based writer, musician, dancer,[1] and director.[2] He is the author of several books, including Since I Laid My Burden Down (2017),[3] and the zine Fag School;[4] frontman for the punk band The Younger Lovers;[3] and founder of the Brontez Purnell Dance Company.[5]

Brontez Purnell
Purnell at the 2018 Texas Book Festival
Born
Triana, Alabama
Occupationauthor, musician, dancer
Years active2003-present
Notable work
Since I Laid My Burden Down
Awards2018 Whiting Award

Biography

Purnell grew up in Triana, Alabama[5] where he created his first zine, Schlepp Fanzine,[6] when he was fourteen years old.[2] After moving to Oakland at 19,[7] he created Fag School[6] out of "wanting there to be a Sassy for gay boys."[4] "I hadn't really seen a zine or at least a personal gay zine that dealt with the difficult subject of gay sex with both humor and frank talk. It covered some real issues."[6]

His electro rock band Gravy Train!!!! gained national prominence for their live shows.[8] His punk band The Younger Lovers started in 2003 as a bedroom demo project.[9]

Awards

In 2018, Purnell was awarded a Whiting Award for fiction.[10]

Focus

Much of his work focuses on sex and sexuality. "In my work I try to use 'sex' or the body as this thing that does not create boundaries or separation with an audience, but instead gives my audience back their humanity."[11] He is openly gay.[4]

Bibliography
  • The Cruising Diaries (2014)
  • Johnny Would You Love Me If My Dick Were Bigger (2015)
  • Since I Laid My Burden Down (2017)[3]
  • 100 Boyfriends (2021)[12]

References
  1. AIDS, Visual. "Brontez Purnell". Visual AIDS. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  2. "Naked Soap Operas: An Interview with Brontez Purnell - Art in America". Art in America. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  3. "The Truth at the Heart of Brontez Purnell's Since I Laid My Burden Down". MTV News. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  4. "'I'm in the Band' Ep. 2: Brontez Purnell Talks Growing Up Black, Gay & Punk". read.tidal.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  5. "Brontez Purnell Is Everything". Granta Magazine. 2017-07-05. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  6. Miles, Frank J (2012-01-02). "Brontez Purnell: Love, Compassion, and Rock & Roll". Lambda Literary. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  7. "The Legendary Queer Punk Rocker and Hysterical Author Whose Book You Need to Read". MEL Magazine. 2017-10-10. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  8. "Five Reasons to Love Brontez Purnell and The Younger Lovers". Colorlines. 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  9. "VIDEO PREMIERE: Punk band The Younger Lovers gives a triumphant, fun (and trippy) ode to the working class with "Whiskey And Water" | AFROPUNK". AFROPUNK. 2017-04-18. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  10. Purnell, Brontez (2018-03-21). "Brontez Purnell, Fiction". The Paris Review. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  11. "Brontez Purnell on Doing as Much as Possible". thecreativeindependent.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  12. "100 Boyfriends". FSG Originals. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
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