Eric Cervini

One year ago, I released my first book, THE DEVIANT’S WAR: The Homosexual vs. the United States of America. It has been the honor of a lifetime to share the stories of the queer heroes––including Frank Kameny, Barbara Gittings, Bayard Rustin, Sylvia Rivera, and so many others––who made Pride possible this and every year. . Today, the paperback version of THE DEVIANT’S WAR is available everywhere books are sold. Because I’ve *still* never held a live book signing (soon!), I’m sending signed bookplates to anyone who orders it this week! Link in bio. . Happy Pride, and love you all!

MENTAL HEALTH UPDATE! This Valentine’s Day, I took my newly single self on a date to the San Francisco @communitymusiccenter ! You may be raising your eyebrows, especially because I don’t often talk about my past as a competitive pianist, even to my closest friends. The piano awards helped me get into my dream school, but after that, I told myself I was too busy. I didn’t practice for 15 years. As time went on, I became ashamed of how much I had forgotten. I started pretending like I never knew how to play. Then, last month, when I left for a mental health break in upstate New York, I asked myself: what would help me heal? I bought a diary. Books about self-compassion. And…a FOLDABLE KEYBOARD!! (Yes, they exist, and yes, they fit in a carry-on.) Stuck in a winter storm, I spent five hours a day relearning everything I’d forgotten, starting with an incredible arrangement of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” by Italian pianist @francescoparrinomusic . And while reading about mindfulness, I learned something I’d never realized before, even if it’s obvious to all musicians: Practicing the piano IS meditation. When you’re learning a new piece, if a sad or angry thought distracts you, you’ll mess up. Every. Single. Time. The instrument gives you no choice but to GTFO of your head. You have to surrender completely to the music. So on Valentine’s Day, I called the SFCMC, and they rented me a private room with a gorgeous upright piano for just a small donation. For the first time ever, I played Hallelujah all the way through by memory. It still needs work, but damn. I’m really proud of myself. Sorry to all my (lovely!) exes, but it was my favorite Valentine’s date of all time. I wanted to post this as a reminder that it’s never too late to give a big hug to your inner child, especially if he was a lonely, closeted nerd in central Texas. And to everyone who reached out after my last post, thank you. I will never forget your kindness. Now, back to my flip phone and foldable keyboard. I love you all!! Xoxo Eric

Tl;dr—I’m going to a cottage, and don’t bother texting! 💕

Thoughts on throuples? Link in bio to join my (very gay) book club.

What’s more devastating for a rich gay couple: the literal apocalypse…or canceling the $100,000 baby shower they just planned? That’s the outrageous, brilliant premise of Jonathan Parks-Ramage’s It’s Not the End of the World, my September book club pick. Part climate thriller, part queer family love letter, fully gay chaos. It’s sharp, satirical, and tender, painting a wild portrait of a not-so-distant future and the values that matter most when everything else unravels. Link in bio for a signed copy! Join the (very gay) club!

It’s hard not to feel lonely in Los Angeles, where everyone seems so perfect and cool. But with you, Nate, I had a best friend who was just as weird, nerdy, and inappropriate as me. We laughed and cried together, we traveled the world, and we ate appalling amounts of Thai food. But my favorite moments were with our children, Pabu and Moo Bear: the dearest of friends, and so incredibly naughty. Like fathers, like sons. Your art was provocative and beautiful, whether it appeared in LACMA or in the Las Vegas Sphere or on the Rainbow Book Bus. You’ll be tickled to know that I plan on framing your painting of the well-endowed gentleman who posed for our art class in Italy. It’s been hanging on our refrigerator for years. I’m not sure what to do without you, but at the very least, I swear to hug my friends and family just as tight—and just as often—as you held me. I swear not to waste a single moment of this short, fragile life on anything but love. The last time we talked, I told you how proud I was of you. I still am. And our call ended with words that will stay true, in my heart and soul, always and forever. I love you, Nate.

VERY GAY BOOK CLUB: JULY SELECTION!!! Q: How could Leonardo da Vinci be “gay” if that word didn’t exist during the Renaissance? A: Ah yes, good point. Technically, he was an F-SLUR (and not the one you think)!! Link in bio.

A Black Stanford graduate is arrested for ❄️ possession shortly after the mysterious death of his famous roommate. What happens next? My June (Very Gay) Book Club pick brilliantly explores what it means to move between the many worlds we inhabit. How does one navigate a marginalized existence within a world of privilege? This Pride, I’m thrilled to share GREAT BLACK HOPE by Rob Franklin, a classic in the making about race, class, and (despite everything) hope. Link in bio to grab a signed copy!

Happy Mother’s Day to Mama Cervini! Love you!!

A tender and haunting portrait of queer love and loss, my (Very Gay) May Book Selection follows Leo, a writer drifting through the aftermath of his partner’s death. As the main character moves between cities and memories, SEPARATE ROOMS captures a moment in queer history that still resonates today to pull on your heartstrings. Originally published in Italian in 1989, this is the first time this novel is being published in English! I can’t wait to hear what you all think! Link in bio to join.

From the First Inquisition to the Lavender Scare to the AIDS Crisis, we have survived because it is impossible to destroy queer love, queer joy, and queer community.

It’s the season for self-care. 📕: Self-Compassion by @neffselfcompassion