Gay Little History Of Maryland #7: Trash

The misfits from Baltimore County who changed film forever.

This zine is about the absolute insanity xthat is the 1972 film, Pink Flamingos by John Waters, starring Divine, and its shocking cult success. The film more or less invented the concept of both the midnight movie and a cult film. It made an overweight drag queen with insane makeup into a gay icon, established John Waters as America's premier merchant of bad taste, and helped define a DIY look and spirit that directly influenced the earliest punk musicians and fans. 

More importantly, no other film (except maybe Paris Is Burning) has had a greater influence on queer culture. 

Author: Ben Egerman
Publisher: self-published
Pages: 24pp
Size: 4 x 5.5
Notes: saddle-stitched, b/w
Release Date: August 2026