A Former Clevelander Finds His Place

Being gay, Jewish, and middle-aged aren’t the least of Boston writer Judah LeBlang’s issues. He’s also from Cleveland, a circumstance he admits “has given me a lot of material.” As a writer and a storyteller, he’s quick to embrace the underdog. “And being from Cleveland is certainly part of that.” LeBlang, who grew up in Beachwood in the 1960s and 70s, has a voice that is both humorous and touching: His essays and commentaries have been heard on National Public Radio stations across the country, and have been published in various newspapers and magazines in both Cleveland and Boston, where he is now a columnist, a writing teacher, and a researcher. In 2009, LeBlang released his memoir, Finding My Place: One Man’s Journey from Cleveland to Boston and Beyond. He’s also developed a one-man play that delves into his sometimes-awkward adjustment to middle age. Tonight at 7, the writer will be at the Coventry Village branch library, where he’ll be reading and performing excerpts from both the play and the memoir. It’s free, although pre-registration is required by phone or online. “I think my stories are very relatable, especially to anyone over 35,” he says. “They’re really about the human condition — poignant to funny, and with an edge — and Cleveland is the place I most want to share them.” — Cicora