Writer E. Lynn Harris, trailblazer of the gay black romance novel, passed away on July 23. He was 54. There has been no official cause of death disclosed for the best-selling author of What Becomes of the Broken-Hearted and Love of My Own.
“It’s heartbreaking,” commented Daren Brooks, 24, an Orlando native who was inspired by Harris’ novels.
“For someone who is young, gay and black, it meant a lot for me to see [his] books on the bestseller lists,” admitted Brooks. “Before I was even out, my aunt was reading his book; she was the first one in the family I chose to come out to.”
Harris’ own success story has been called fantastic as well as improbable—often sounding like a movie script. Harris was once a closeted gay man, like the protagonists of many of his books. However, unlike his well-to-do characters, Harris grew up poor, moving from state to state. His keen intellect landed him at the University of Arkansas, where he became that school’s first black male cheerleader.
His characters were often businessmen, professional athletes or musicians. Their lives were glamorous; their internal struggles were messy.
To focus on his writing career, Harris quit his job as a salesman with IBM. He sold his first self-published novel, Invisible Life, from the trunk of his car. He’d walk into Atlanta beauty parlors and utilize his skills to talk up the book to customers and employees alike. He ignored gender, race and sexual orientation to make his pitch. At the same time, he’d fend off questions about his own sexuality.
Soon, Harris found success, defining niche for gay black men who felt cultural pressure to hide their sexuality, sometimes even marrying and having kids while still meeting other men on the ‘down low.’ His romantic novels quickly gathered devout fans; many who were straight females. These readers all shared their reactions to how Harris helped call attention to the conflicts of race and sexuality. Through this, Harris found the strength to come out himself.
“It’s difficult for a lot of black men to be honest about [their sexuality],” said Harris in a 2006 interview with his alma mater newspaper. “I’m fortunate enough to have a career where I can be who I am and I don’t have to lie about it. I understand that the rest of the world isn’t as accepting. I don’t condone it, but I understand it.”
With growing success, Harris found a publisher in Doubleday. Harris published 12 full-length books. Five, including his memoir, What Becomes of the Brokenhearted, made the New York Times Bestseller List.
Harris was also candid about his battles with depression. For years, he took medication, but in 2003, he decided to control the illness with faith and exercise.
“I didn’t want to go back to taking medicine even though friends encouraged me to,” Harris admitted. “It’s a big obstacle, but I do my daily prayers and my exercises even on those days that I don’t feel like doing it.”
Harris was a prolific writer, publishing two of his books—Just Too Good to Be True and Basketball Jones—within the last year.
Throughout his life, Harris was always generous, answering fan letters and providing feedback to other writers.
“He never hesitated to read a story or give advice,” confirmed George Whitehead, a family friend from Hollywood, Fla.
“It’s sad. He was only 54. I always looked forward to his next book,” said Brooks.
