Author Lecture

 Dwayne A. Ratleff

In celebration of Black History Month Local author Dwayne will be discussing his award-winning book Dancing to the Lyrics. A timeless and timely coming-of-age tale told through the eyes of the young protagonist, Grant Cole, we are offered a first-hand account of an African American gay youth who perseveres in spite of personal and family obstacles as well as the larger challenges of his era. The program will be from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. on Zoom, please email Julie Warren in advance of the meeting at julie.warren@palmspringsca.gov to join.    

The program will be from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. on Zoom. Please email Julie Warren in advance of the meeting at julie.warren@palmspringsca.gov to join.   

 Purchase Dancing to the Lyrices by Dwayne A. Ratleff

 While very much an individual’s story of overcoming adversity during a specific point in time and place – 1960’s America – Dancing to the Lyrics also provides a lens through which we can view events in our current time. The lessons that young Grant learns are as relevant today as ever and discerning them through the eyes of such an insightful youngster is a revelation.

Dwayne A Ratleff was born to an unwed mother in Ohio but grew up in Baltimore and Connecticut. 
As a product of the segregated Baltimore school system, he did not learn to read or write until the age of ten or eleven. 
After moving to Connecticut, he spent the first two years there as a Special Education Student. This quickly changed and he graduated high school with honors. 

Eventually relocating to San Francisco , he became HIV+. Living with HIV for almost 40 years has at times been emotionally challenging 
but has inspired him to live life to the fullest. Although hard at times,  he says growing up Black and Gay in the Sixties was a blessing as well. It was obvious that he did not “fit in” so he did not even try. There was no peer pressure because he had no peers. This provided a special kind of freedom. Follow your heart, not the heard.

Now he lives in Palm Desert with his loving husband Michael and their Havanese dog Lizzy.

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