The world renowned poet and author Shel Silverstein, best known for his children’s books and simplistic style of writing, is a much-adored figure in the literary world. His unique works of art, including The Giving Tree and Where the Sidewalk Ends, are household names today. But, little is known about Silverstein’s personal life and the real question, was Shel Silverstein gay?
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Silverstein attended the University of Illinois before touching down to begin his writing career. After spending his days in the world of cartooning and script-writing, Silverstein found himself internationally renowned for his children’s books. His long list of admirers include former United States President Barack Obama, who was gifted Where the Sidewalk Ends with a touching, personalized letter. But this admiration didn’t come without a cost, as Silverstein had to keep his private life under lock and key, raising questions to his sexuality.
Examining Silverstein’s life, it becomes rather difficult to answer this question. He was never married, and there are no records of him having an intimate relationship with any woman. However, these clues may be insubstantial to label him as inherently gay. Silverstein’s literature, while modest and innocent, is a regular reflection of the often rough and playful nature of the author’s sense of humour. Silverstein was known to hang around many bars during the peak of his writing career, and allegedly had more than a few female admirers in the mix.
In an infamous interview with the Chicago Sun Times, Silverstein himself said, “I’ve had a lot of women in my life, but they’ve been short-term affairs”, seemingly insinuating that he was attracted to several women and only had short-term associations.
Was Shel Silverstein Open About His Sexuality?
As previously mentioned, no doubt due to his celebrity status, Silverstein was very private about his personal life. He often declined requests for interviews about his inner circle and intimacies, dropping subtle hints about the mystery that surrounds his life. One example of this was a poem he wrote entitled “My God Is A Woman”, which questions the conservative American views in the 50s and 60s. Despite this clever poetic jab, Silverstein did not openly come out as gay.
The only known indication of a potential romantic partner or suitor in Silverstein’s later life was a woman named Susan Taylor. However, like all of his supposed romances, it lasted for a few months and even then, that information was mostly speculative until renowned biographer, Lisa Rogak, released her book A Light in the Attic, which disclosed a few little-known details about Silverstein’s character.
The fact is, no-one really knows if Shel Silverstein was gay or not. Some speculate that he was, while some believe that he wasn’t; it’s almost an impossible question to answer as Silverstein was so reluctant to speak of his personal life.
What Did Silverstein’s Biographer Say About His Sexual Preference?
In her book Lisa Rogak said “We’ll never know what Silverstein’s true orientation was and whether it evolved, but Silverstein was an intensely private person and he never felt the need to broadcast his orientation. Was Silverstein gay? There’s no hard evidence to prove this one way or the other. All we can do is respect the author’s wishes, and accept that he was simply, as he liked to be known, ‘a guy with a pencil’”.
Needless to say, there are both articles and biographies that appear to identify Shel Silverstein as a homosexual. However, it must be noted that none of these stories are based on personal interviews with Silverstein or bonafide proof from legitimate sources
Silverstein’s Writings and Possible Hints at His Sexuality
Mixed opinion about the personal life of Shel Silverstein was inevitable, as quite a few of his books contained rudimentary homoerotic themes. Interestingly, one of the more subtle poems deals with the issue of homosexuality; titled ‘Last Year’s Friend’, it examines a boy’s confusion when he meets an old friend and notices how she has aged since. It could possibly be hiding an allegorical meaning of a same-sex relationship.
Silverstein also had a long list of notable friends like the famed singer-songwriter, Joan Baez, and this, combined with the themes in some of his poetry, had sparked many conversations about what his true preferences may have been.
The Life of Shel Silverstein
Perhaps the biggest fire starter to the speculation of whether or not Silverstein was gay was his lifestyle and living arrangements. As he travelled the world, Silverstein sought advice and earmarked notes in numerous hotels and rooming houses. Apparently, Silverstein loved his space and often ‘holed up’, seeking solace and refuge to write his literature away from the hustle and bustle of fame.
The Mystery of Silverstein’s romantic life was never revealed. Despite his renowned writing and literary work, the question of whether or not Shel Silverstein was gay will remain an unanswered mystery. It was an integral part of what made Silverstein the giant he was, shrouding all his actions in an aura of mystery and unanswered questions to the media.
Shel Silverstein’s Legacy
Although Silverstein was never open about his sexuality, it has never really hindered his reputation. His children’s book and recordings will always be remembered as some of the most iconic works of literature in America, and his goals of spreading creativity, camaraderie and openness resonate with many readers.
His sporadic, poetic style of writing, with little use of punctuation and an apparently obscure metaphor, left readers star-struck. Silverstein’s talent was unique and he embraced his talent, making the best of what he had. He was a generous individual, whose main concern was to convey his ideas and captivate his audience.
Conclusion
All in all, Shel Silverstein was a true artist whose works will live on for countless generations. Even though his sexuality is undetermined, his influence will remain through his books and poetry. The genius behind some of the world’s most iconic literature will never be forgotten and will inspire readers young and old alike.
