iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Happy Book Birthday to WHEN THE BAND PLAYED ON! Two years ago tonight was the official launch at the San Francisco Public Library's James Hormel LGBTQIA Center. It ended up being the experience of a lifetime, and I'm grateful to everyone who came out to support me along the way.

Cover art for the book WHEN THE BAND PLAYED ON: THE LIFE OF RANDY SHILTS, AMERICA'S TRAILBLAZING GAY JOURNALIST, by Michael G. Lee. The cover depicts Randy Shilts, standing in the newsroom of the San Francisco Chronicle, with his arms folded across his chest.

030

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

I was today years old when I learned that in 1740s London, "flats with a swinging clitoris" was a term for lesbian sex

020

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

My father Gary would be 84 years old today. I've thought about him a lot these last couple months, as my city, state, and neighborhood have endured countless malevolent attacks. Though we all still miss him terribly, I am grateful for the example he set.

021

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Free webinar sponsored by the Pride and Progress Conference: Shaping the Future of LGBTQIA+ Aging! Register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

120

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

WHEN THE BAND PLAYED ON was inspired by my Doctoral history course at the UMN School of Social Work. On Wednesday, October 8, I'll be on campus for a special reading and book signing! It's free and open to the public. Use the QR Code or link to register today! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

010

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

I'm honored to be a panelist for the virtual symposium on October 6, celebrating the archive of Michael Denneny, the trailblazing gay editor who oversaw all three of Randy Shilts's books. These are Eastern times, by the way. Registration is required but free! events.brown.edu/library/even...

031

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

Come join us October 4th for the 37th annual Lammy Awards! This is a virtual event taking place at 5pm ET. Tickets are available here: www.eventbrite.com/e/lammys-day...

051

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

See you next Saturday, in Kalamazoo at Kazoo Books!

072

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

See you next Friday, Lansing! At Hooked on Michigan Avenue. :)

032

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

In one week - see you in Ann Arbor @literatibookstore.bsky.social! literatibookstore.com/event/2025-0...

1133

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

Next Saturday, from 12 - 7 pm! I will be signing copies of WHEN THE BAND PLAYED ON, with proceeds benefitting The Aliveness Project, Minnesota's longest-serving HIV/AIDS organization. Tickets for the event are $10 and include a free beverage ticket.

032

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

For all my friends, followers, and loved ones in the Mitten State - come see me at one of these fantastic local bookstores! Literati Bookstore, Hooked, Kazoo Books, and Horizon Books will be hosting readings and book signings on these dates. Learn more at authormglee.com/.../appearan...

021

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

One last reminder - tomorrow night at Minneapolis Central Library! Free and open to the public, registration encouraged but not required.

020

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

June 12! This event is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged but not required. Thank you to the folks at the Minnesota Statewide HIV Conference and Hennepin County Library for organizing this event! hclib.bibliocommons.com/.../6823a3f6...

051

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

I had a great time today presenting with the 2025 Pride and Progress Conference, relating the life and legacy of Randy Shilts to contemporary issues in LGBTQIA+ aging. I'm so grateful to be included in this important gathering!

020

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

Two Weeks from tonight! Twin Cities Leather Presents: A Book Talk + Signing With Author Michael Lee, 6 – 7 pm. Hosted by Twin Cities Leather/ UMBRA Arts, 710 W. Lake Street, Minneapolis. Copies of WHEN THE BAND PLAYED ON will be sold - reserve your copy today! forbiddentickets.com/.../twin-cit...

000

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

REMINDER! Tomorrow morning I will be reading + signing copies of WHEN THE BAND PLAYED ON at the Minnesota Council for HIV/AIDS Care and Prevention's World AIDS Day Breakfast, hosted by The Aliveness Project. Copies will be available to purchase, with proceeds benefitting Aliveness!

030

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Well, this is a cool way to support HIV/AIDS services in Cincinnati! caracole.org/event/worlda...

A screenshot for a World AIDS Day raffle for Caracole, a Cincinnati HIV/AIDS organization.

010

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

I had the privilege Friday of speaking at Let's Do Lunch, a gathering of Twin Cities LGBTQ+ Seniors, many of whom had extraordinary lived experiences with the early HIV/AIDS pandemic, and who remembered the trailblazing journalism of Randy Shilts. Thank you to the organizers for having me!

050

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

Two weeks from today on 12.06.2024! Copies of WHEN THE BAND PLAYED ON will be available for purchase on site, with proceeds benefiting The Aliveness Project. I will be signing copies after the event. There is no cost to attend!

World AIDS Day Breakfast on December 6, hosted by The Aliveness Project in South Minneapolis. 9 am - 11 am.

011

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Wow!! So it turns out I was sharing an event venue tonight with Rupaul’s Drag Race virtuoso Thorgy Thor!! What an amazing evening! 😍

010

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 11/11/2024

I’ve had this account for a while but haven’t used it yet. Post-election I can’t justify staying on Twitter, so I hope you’ll follow me here or on Threads for more updates on book news and events.

051

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 11/11/2024

I can't justify staying on this platform anymore. If you want to stay in touch, and especially if you want to keep getting updates about my book news and events, please follow me on BlueSky or Threads, and I will follow you back. On both sites, my handle is @AuthorMGLee.

000

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 05/11/2024

I can tell Kamala's just as restless as the rest of us because she keeps texting...

000

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

I'll be bringing Randy's story back to his hometown of Aurora, IL, on Monday, December 2. Looking forward to this very meaningful event! www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/event/1…

000

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 29/10/2024

Not that I was worried, but still glad I checked. Hey @rudyfunkmeyer thanks for being my witness! 😊👍

000

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 15/10/2024

It's launch day for WHEN THE BAND PLAYED ON, the Audio Book! Here's a conversation I recorded with Daniel Henning, the narrator, who has his own unique connection to the life and work of Randy...

110

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 14/10/2024

It's so good to be back in Minnesota! For my first local appearance, I'll be part of the Authors Showcase at the 2024 Twin Cities Book Festival: Saturday, October 19 at the State Fairgrounds. Copies will be available to purchase and sign....

100

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 13/10/2024

At a gay bar in Guerneville, CA, and Minnesota friends, what do I see? 😅

011

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 11/10/2024

This is so lovely and unexpected - last night at one of my book events in Napa, a preschool teacher brought me pumpkin granola from the farmers' market!

000

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 10/10/2024

How fun to get to talk to college students without having to grade their work! Thanks to Napa Valley College, esp. Professor Greg Miraglia, for bringing me here today!

000

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 09/10/2024

A few pics from last night's launch event for WHEN THE BAND PLAYED ON! We had a packed room with overflow into the hallway. Thank you San Francisco Public Library and my panelists, Randy Alfred and Leah Garchik, for making it such a successful gathering!

000

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 06/10/2024

Did some stress reduction baking yesterday - banana bread with a cinnamon crunch topping!

000

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 05/10/2024

One week from tonight! Saturday, October 12, at Russian River Books and Letters in Guerneville, CA.

000

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 01/10/2024

One week from today, I'll be marking the launch of WHEN THE BAND PLAYED ON with this amazing event at the San Francisco Public Library's James Hormel LGBTQIA Center! Bay Area friends and followers, I hope to see you there!

000

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 17/09/2024

A glowing response to WHEN THE BAND PLAYED ON from Kirkus Reviews! "Admiring but not uncritical life of the pioneering reporter on the AIDS outbreak in the early 1980s. A nuanced portrait of a journalist and activist who sacrificed all while sounding a pandemic alarm."

100

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 05/09/2024

Flying the friendly skies today! Off to L.A. to meet the wonderful people at @nlgja, the Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists' Annual Convention. Looking forward to many fantastic conversations about one of their founding and most influential members, #RandyShilts.

011

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 23/08/2024

Wow! Two big arrivals today. Just 2 hrs before my mom arrived for a visit, look what showed up on my porch! The rest of you will have to wait for 10.08.24. 😍

111

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 08/08/2024

Wishing a Happy #Shiltsmas to all who celebrate it. Randy Shilts would've been 73 today. Here's a blog post I wrote for his 70th, detailing the first impressions and lasting influence he made on the people around him. authormglee.com/.../shiltsmas-at-70…

011

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 24/06/2024

I can’t be the only classic Whovian who noticed this, right? #DoctorWho #MrsFlood

021

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 15/06/2024

Some rainy June baking, a cherry and rhubarb crisp! Forced me to go out and buy vanilla ice cream of course.

121

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 15/05/2024

I'm honored to share this praise for WHEN THE BAND PLAYED ON from @JMAndriote, author of Victory Deferred: How AIDS Changed Gay Life in America, and Stonewall Strong: Gay Men’s Heroic Fight for Resilience, Good Health, and a Strong Community. Thank you, John!

111

Michael Lee, Ph.D he/him/his @authormglee.bsky.social · 23/04/2024

Started my palindrome birthday with a 10k run. I can’t quite imagine what lies ahead for me this year but I’m grateful for the friends and loved ones who’ve been there for me along the way!

011