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Revision as of 14:47, 21 July 2004 by Geoff43230 (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)JT Leroy is a gay American author who has written two novels, entitled Sarah and The Heart is Deceitful Above all Things, both of which are being made into movies.
The author had a rough life as a young man and was discovered turning tricks on the streets of San Fransisco. His first novel, Sarah, is semi-autobiographical and tells the tale of a boy very much like him and his mother heading west to the coast, hopping from truck-stop encounter to truck-stop encounter.
JT was lucky to befriend Oregon director Gus van Sant, who bought the rights to his books and encouraged him to write more. Other fans of his work include singer Madonna and group Garbage, whose song Cherry Lips is in fact about him. His life has since gotten better and he is currently helping with the movie versions of his novels, as well as writing lyrics for a band called Thistle and also misc. articles in magazines. He went through a period of standard counseling and found a stable place to live.
The content of JT's books is interesting but also fairly adult, with unappropiate sexual situations and bad language, among other things. The fiction in his world is unfortunately not escapist and deals occasionally with unpleasant topics.
JT is notoriously camera-shy and often, perhaps borrowing a page from fellow gay artist Andy Warhol, wears a wig and / or glasses when in public. He avoids the media but does greatly appreciate his fans, and e-mails them whenever he can.
The movie version of his story The Heart is... stars a young woman named Asia Argento, as well as a cameo by rocker Marilyn Manson, playing a tempermental truck driver.