One of Chicago's gay literary figures, St. Sukie de la Croix, will read from and discuss his new book, Chicago Whispers: A History of LGBT Chicago Before Stonewall (University of Wisconsin Press, 2012) at the OutWrite: Queer Books Festival on Aug. 4, 2012. This will be a joint reading that takes place on Saturday, August 4th, from 3:30pm to 4:00pm.

Before becoming a saint, Sukie de la Croix, a Bath, England native, made his name locally as a playwright and a journalist for a series of well-respected LGBT publications and newspapers. His book, Chicago Whispers: A History of LGBT Chicago before Stonewall, covers a vast period of almost 300 years, and does so in a way that is as informative as it is entertaining. With a journalist's eye and research skills, Sukie, described as the "gay Studs Terkel" by the Chicago Sun-Times, uncovers a treasure trove of historical facts about Chicago that will leave you alternately gasping, shaking your head in amazement and jumping for joy.

The OutWrite Book Fair will include several book readings, poetry readings, and literary discussions. Several book publishers will display and sell recently published LGBT books, and the DC Center will have over 1,000 used LGBT themed books for sale at the event (many at only $1 each). Find out more at www.outwritedc.org.