Doric Wilson

Doric Wilson was an American playwright, director, and gay rights activist, born on February 24, 1939, in Ottumwa, Iowa. A trailblazer of Off-Off-Broadway and one of the first openly gay playwrights in the United States, Wilson helped forge a path for LGBTQ+ voices in American theatre during a time of widespread marginalization.

Wilson’s early work in the 1960s at the legendary Caffe Cino—considered the birthplace of Off-Off-Broadway—broke boundaries with plays like And He Made a Her and Now She Dances!, the latter a provocative reimagining of the Oscar Wilde trial. His bold, subversive writing and commitment to gay themes made him a revolutionary figure in the downtown New York theatre scene.

In 1974, Wilson co-founded TOSOS (The Other Side of Silence), the first professional gay theatre company in America. Through this company, he championed plays that depicted gay life with honesty, complexity, and humor—countering the stereotypes and tragedies often found in mainstream portrayals. His work offered a vital cultural space for queer stories and audiences.

Wilson was also a key participant in the Stonewall uprising of 1969 and remained an active voice in the LGBTQ+ community throughout his life. He continued to write, direct, and mentor new voices in queer theatre, blending activism and artistry in everything he did.

Doric Wilson died on May 7, 2011, in New York City. His pioneering role in both gay rights and theatre helped lay the foundation for a more inclusive and vibrant theatrical landscape, one that continues to benefit from his courage and creativity.