Happy Birthday to LGBT Author, Biographer Eric Marcus

Eric Marcus was born today, November 12, in 1958 New York City. He is a non-fiction writer. His works are primarily of LGBT interest, including Breaking the Surface, the autobiography of gay Olympic diving champion Greg Louganis, which became a #1 New York Times Bestseller and Making History: The Struggle for Gay and Lesbian Equal Rights: 1945-1990, which won the Stonewall Book Award. Other topics he's addressed in his writing include suicide and pessimistic humor.

Marcus received his B.A. from Vassar College in 1980 where he majored in Urban Studies. He earned his master's degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 1984 and a master's degree in real estate development in 2003, also from Columbia University. He was an associate producer for Good Morning America and CBS Morning News.

Marcus served on the Board and staff of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (ASFP), as National Board Member (2010 - 2014), Chair of the Loss & Bereavement Council (2011 - 2014), and Senior Director for Loss and Bereavement Programs from 2014 to 2015.

His books include the following:

The Male Couple's Guide: Finding a Man, Making a Home, Building a Life (1988, 1992, 1999)

Making History: The Struggle for Gay and Lesbian Equal Rights : 1945-1990 (1992)

Expect the Worst (You Won't Be Disappointed) (1992)

Is It a Choice? Answers to 300 of the Most Frequently Asked Questions About Gay & Lesbian People (1993, 1999, 2005)

Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story (1995; 1996)

Icebreaker: The Autobiography of U.S. Figure Skating Champion Rudy Galindo (1997)

Together Forever: Gay & Lesbian Couples Share Their Secrets for Lasting Happiness (1998, 1999)
Making Gay History: The Half Century Fight for Lesbian and Gay Equal Rights (2002)

Pessimisms: Famous (and Not So Famous) Observations, Quotations, Thoughts, and Ruminations on What to Expect When You’re Expecting the Worst (2007)

What If Someone I Know Is Gay? Answers to Questions about What It Means to be Gay and Lesbian (2007)

Why Suicide? Questions & Answers About Suicide, Suicide Prevention, and Coping with the Suicide of Someone You Know (2010)

What If?: Answers to Questions About What It Means to Be Gay and Lesbian (2013)

Check out his podcast, "Making Gay History," at http://makinggayhistory.com, an audio archive bringing the voices of queer history to life.