{"value"=>"<p>The correspondence series contains letters written and received by Kantrowitz during the years 1964-2008. Among his correspondents are friends, lovers, family, fellow writers, gay activists, teaching colleagues, students, and members of the general public who sent him their reactions to his work. Most correspondence prior to 1995 is arranged chronologically. Later correspondence is arranged by subject or the correspondent’s name.</p> <p>The general correspondence consists of letters Kantrowitz received and about a half dozen of his replies. The letters from friends relate details of their lives and relationships, including discussions of pride parades, gay writing, bashing incidents, and in the 1980s and early 1990s, the loss of friends to AIDS. Writers discuss their work and the difficulties involved in writing and finding publishers. Of particular note is the folder of letters from Kantrowitz's closest friend, the film historian and gay activist Vito Russo. The letters, 1972-1988, relate his activities, comment on the gay scene in New York City, Washington, DC, San Francisco, and London, and discuss films and theater. The letters are full of intimate detail, humor, and eventually sorrow and rage at the AIDS epidemic and the illness of his lover. Correspondence about Russo following his death and letters from Vito’s mother, Annie Russo, are also included. There is one file of Kantrowitz’s letters to his father Morris Kantrowitz, dated 1973 to 1985. Other correspondents in this series include Daniel Bar-David, Pat Califia, David Doyle, Arthur Evans, Adrienne Gilde, George Heymont, Duff Kreitzberg, Herb Liebman, Lawrence Mass, Douglas Sadownick, Bob Tavani, and Randy Wicker.</p> <p>The correspondence regarding Kantrowitz's writing contains responses of friends, fellow writers, and many members of the general public to his writing, particularly his essays in the <span class=\"title\">Advocate</span>, his memoir <span class=\"title\">Under the Rainbow</span>, and his Walt Whitman projects. In addition, there is correspondence regarding the publication and editing of his work, including efforts to have <span class=\"title\">Under the Rainbow</span> published and reprinted, and correspondence with John Preston and <span class=\"title\">Advocate</span> staff members, Boyd McDonald, Robert McQueen, and Mark Thompson about the publication of his essays as well as their comments on his work.</p> <p>Among the letters are expressions of gratitude from many readers telling how moved they were by his work and inspired by his example as a man with an open and positive gay identity. Kantrowitz seems to have responded to most of these letters (although the responses are not in the collection) provoking additional letters in which the individuals relate their own struggles to come out and their views on gay issues. This section also includes letters of numerous gay writers and activists, which range from simple congratulations to extended discussions of issues of importance to the gay community. Included is an exchange of letters with Arthur Evans in 1988 regarding Kantrowitz's review of Evans' book <span class=\"title\">The God of Ecstas</span>y. Other prominent correspondents include Rita Mae Brown, Pat Califia, Louie Crew, Daniel Bar-David, Bette Davis, Lenny Giteck, George Heymont, Toby Marotta, John Preston, Michael Rumaker, Charles Shively, Donald Vining and Randy Wicker.</p> <p>Public Statements, 1964-2003, include letters to the press and politicians expressing his opinions on current events. The earliest letters are written to the editors of the student newspapers at the State University College at Cortland and Staten Island Community College regarding teaching and university affairs in the 1960s. Letters from the 1970s on are written chiefly to editors of gay and general interest publications regarding stories touching on homosexuality and gay rights, especially responses and corrections to unfair, inaccurate or incomplete portrayals.The files contain clippings of his letters and the articles that provoked his responses as well as typescripts of his remarks, which were not published. The letters from 1985-1987 include those he wrote as secretary of GLAAD and letters that he, Darrel Yates Rist, Vito Russo, and the board of GLAAD wrote in response to a story which appeared in the <span class=\"title\">Philadelphia Gay News</span> about internal strife among GLAAD board members.</p> <p>A file of letters from students, 1993 to 2008, largely conveys appreciation for the care and tutelage provided to them by Kantrowitz as an English professor at the College of Staten Island. Ongoing correspondence developed between numerous students and Kantrowitz, lasting well beyond their courses with him and their graduations.</p>"}