Harvey Fierstein: A prophetic voice in the gay community
Harvey Forbes Fierstein has become an important influence in the gay community. His first major play, Torch Song Trilogy, was a major milestone for gay theatre. By becoming the first gay play to be commercially successful, it launched Fierstein into the spotlight. Since his first major Broadway play, he has continued to be active as playwright, actor, and gay rights activist; This paper places two of Fierstein's major plays within the context of gay liberation history and gay theatre history. By analyzing the importance and theme of both Torch Song Trilogy and Safe Sex, it is argued that Fierstein is clearly an influential voice in the gay community; An outline of major events in the gay liberation movement and gay theatre history is included to assist in placing the plays within the appropriate context.
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