Jewelle Gomez on Creating Our Own Myths
Author: Edit Team
December 29, 2019
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We recently asked a group of writers about books that impacted them as a child. Jewelle Gomez told us about how a book on Greek and Roman mythology shaped her own work:
Edith Hamilton’s book on Roman and Greek myths was my favourite second hand store find. As an adolescent I was fascinated by how different cultures adapted stories to fit themselves; such as how the Greek Artemis is mirrored in the Roman Diana. I was also mesmerized by the scary, whimsy of gods and goddesses; how they exercised control over the life of mortals was titillating and terrifying.
As I learned more in later years about African and Native American mythology, which had been ignored in scholarship, I appreciated what Hamilton had done to preserve the human needs that had shaped the gods. The magical/practical quality of ancient mythology informed my earliest understanding that I could write a lesbian feminist vampire novel despite opposition. Hamilton’s work paved the way toward Xena, Warrior Princess, America Chavez, Marvel’s lesbian superhero, and my Gilda. I wanted my vampire character to find her place in the pantheon of those who shaped our world.
Jewelle’s story shows how by creating our own stories and myths, we can shape the world. By including LGBTQ stories in the narratives that influence culture, Lambda Literary helps change the world. Help us continue this work. Please donate $100, $50, or whatever you can today.
