Armistead Maupin received the literary prize at the 2019 Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, powered by Jaguar.
The Tales of the City author, 75, has shaped the lives of queer readers for nearly half a century through the diversity of characters who reside on 28 Barbary Lane, a fictional street in San Francisco, and 2019 has proved that there was still a thirst for the dynamic world he had. imagined with the launch of a new Netflix mini-series based on his work.
Speaking in the Attitude's Awards issue – available to download and order worldwide now – Armistead reflects on the lasting legacy Tales has left 45 years after its debut as a daily newspaper column.
/"I'm not a sign-carrying man. I applaud everyone who is, but I feel like I'm doing my job on a typewriter/," he says.
/"The mini-series has done extremely well in countries where it needs to make a difference.
/"Where gay people are oppressed by their culture, they watch the show, and it delights me that Tales still has teeth after all these years./"
While Netflix's revival of Tales was warmly received by today's society, throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s, Armistead's work was met with fierce opposition from those who sought to silence queer voices and experiences.
Armistead Maupin, photographed exclusively for the Attitude Awards issue by Markus Bidaux
/"It's a very satisfying feeling/
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