Sarah Schulman stands as one of the most influential American writers, playwrights, and public intellectuals of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Her body of work and tireless advocacy have become cornerstones of U.S. cultural history, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ literature, the AIDS crisis, and the preservation of collective memory. By weaving together fiction, nonfiction, theater, film, and grassroots activism, Schulman has created a unique literary canon that documents and dissects the lived experiences of marginalized communities. Read more at chicagoka.
Biography
Born on July 28, 1958, in New York City, Sarah Schulman’s worldview was largely shaped by the city’s vibrant energy and her politically engaged family. She attended Hunter College High School, one of New York’s premier academic institutions. Between 1976 and 1978, Schulman studied at the University of Chicago, though she did not complete her degree there. She later earned a Bachelor of Arts from Empire State University in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Literary Career
Schulman made her literary debut in 1984 with the novel “The Sophie Horowitz Story.” Her second book, “Girls, Visions and Everything” (1986), became a landmark text within lesbian subcultures, establishing her as a sharp, uncompromising writer with a distinct voice.
Her mainstream breakthrough came with “After Delores,” which earned a glowing review in The New York Times, was translated into eight languages, and received the American Library Association’s Stonewall Book Award. Following this success, her novels “People in Trouble” and “Empathy” continued to explore themes of community, loss, and social responsibility during the height of the AIDS epidemic.
The novel “Rat Bohemia” garnered significant acclaim, including a high-profile review by Edmund White in The New York Times, and was eventually named one of the 100 best LGBT books by the Publishing Triangle. In the years that followed, Schulman released a series of impactful novels, including “Shimmer,” “The Child,” “The Mere Future,” and “The Cosmopolitans”—the latter of which was named one of the best American novels of 2016 by Publishers Weekly. Her book “Maggie Terry” offered a modern reimagining of the lesbian detective genre set against the political tension of the Trump era.
Nonfiction and Cultural Criticism
Schulman’s documentary and analytical works hold a vital place in her bibliography. “Stagestruck: Theater, AIDS, and the Marketing of Gay America” won a Stonewall Book Award for its provocative analysis of how the musical “Rent” commercialized AIDS and LGBTQ+ themes. In “Ties That Bind: Familial Homophobia and Its Consequences,” she explored the deep-seated impact of family rejection, while “The Gentrification of the Mind” examined the cultural erasure following the urban shifts of the late 20th century.
Her monumental work, “Let the Record Show: A Political History of ACT UP New York,” is widely considered the definitive account of the ACT UP activist movement. The book received numerous accolades, was named one of the best books of 2021 by The New York Times, and won the Lambda Literary Award.
In April 2025, Schulman released her latest book, “The Fantasy and Necessity of Solidarity,” published by Penguin Random House. This work continues her career-long dialogue on solidarity, accountability, and the ethics of political engagement.
Beyond the page, Schulman was a fixture in New York’s avant-garde theater scene, where fifteen of her plays were produced between 1979 and 1994. Her theatrical works have graced major stages, including Playwrights Horizons and the Goodman Theatre. Her play “The Lady Hamlet” was even honored as the Best New Play by Broadway World.
In the film world, Schulman has served as a screenwriter, actress, and producer. Her documentary “United in Anger: A History of ACT UP,” co-created with Jim Hubbard, received international acclaim and toured festivals across the U.S. and Europe.
Activism and Public Life
Schulman’s activist roots run deep; as a child, she attended anti-Vietnam War protests with her mother. During her college years, she became deeply involved in feminist and reproductive rights movements, specifically through the organization CARASA. From 1987 to 1992, she was a key member of ACT UP, participating in direct-action protests against the government’s handling of the AIDS crisis.
In 1992, she co-founded the Lesbian Avengers, an organization that was instrumental in launching the first Dyke March in Washington, D.C. A major part of her legacy is the ACT UP Oral History Project, a collaboration with director Jim Hubbard. The project’s massive archive is now housed at Harvard University and remains open to the public.
Sarah Schulman is an indispensable figure in contemporary American literature and the cultural history of the LGBTQ+ movement. Her work serves as more than just art or documentation; it is a profound testament to an era and a masterclass in intellectual honesty and civic responsibility.