"I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked…" begins Allen Ginsberg's poem "Howl," considered one of the best works created during the Beat Generation in the 1950s.

Atlanta poets, many of them gay, will be reading some of the great works produced by  Ginsberg to celebrate what would have been his 85th birthday on Friday, June 3.

[Video] ‘Howl-A-Thon’ celebrates Allen Ginsberg’s birthday, benefits Atlanta Queer Lit Fest

The readings on Friday are not just an homage to one of the world’s most renowned poets but also a fundraiser for the Atlanta Queer Literary Festival. AQLF is joining with Poetry Atlanta to put on the event at the First Existentialist Congregation in Candler Park.

Among those reading are Alice Lovelace, Collin Kelley, Franklin Abbott, Cleo Creech, Mindy Friedman, Karen Head, Kodac Harrison, M. Ayodele Heath, Theresa Davis, JC Reilly, Sharan Strange, Megan Volpert, Dan Veach and a few surprise guests. The poetry reading is hosted by Rupert Fike.

AQLF is asking for a suggested $5 donation that will go toward putting on the annual fest, slated this year for June 23-25 at venues in Atlanta and Decatur.

‘Howl-A-Thon’
Friday, June 3
Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
First Existentialist Congregation
470 Candler Park Dr., NE
Atlanta, GA30307

Check out this video of AQLF Chair Franklin Abbott and host Rupert Fike discuss Ginsberg as well as recite some of their favorite passages of his work.