Goldberg, Doran

Professor Encinias

CAS 115

November 14, 2023

A few days ago, November ninth, Edgar Gomez came and spoke at CSUN. Many students as

well as some professors attended. It took place in Manzanita hall. Edgar Gomez is the author of

the book, his memoir, High RIsk Homosexual. We read the book for class, so it was cool to have

a speaker that was not just relevant in relation to the topics he discussed, but also relevant to our

lives.

The talk started with him reading a poem. It was about things that he loved. It started out

normal, but then got into some, shall we say, spicier topics. It was pretty humorous and I liked

that someone as professional as him was able to take it to a place with explicitness and high

levels of comedic value. He also reread the quote from his birth certificate that he also mentioned

in his book.

My favorite part however was the Q&A, in particular when a student asked, “What did

your family think of the book?” I always think about this when people write songs, especially

breakup songs, about people or write non fiction books about their lives or others. Like, how do

people feel that he is in a way telling everyone their personnel business? Edgar Gomez did

mention that his mom spoke to him and apologized for certain things that happened when he was

young. I thought it was also interesting that he started writing his memoir so young because I sort

of half journal, half write my life story whenever a big event or something significant happens.
 The Last question asked was, "Are you going to write another book?” He said yes. It was

going to be called “Alligator Tears” and it would be about coming up in Miami in the 2000s

without much money. I think that title is lowkey pretty dope.

He is definitely a character. I also don’t know why but even though I had seen pictures of

him, I had pictured him to be older. Regardless It was very cool to meet an author because that is

something I had never done before.