It’s the summer of 1969. And ink on the headlines about the Stonewall Uprising is barely dry when the entire country is mesmerized by a musical revolution rocking Woodstock. Smack dab in the middle of it all is teenage Olaf, about to leave home for his first year at college in upstate New York. Gay, gorgeous and musically gifted, Olaf is the only son of a close-knit Italian-American family. Ready or not, he will soon find himself surfing major waves of change empowered by the Gay Rights Movement of the 70s. Unbeknownst to him and his younger sister, whom he lovingly called Holine, he’s about to confront the deadly perils of entrenched homophobia and an emerging HIV-AIDS epidemic. In this expansive memoir steeped in historicity, author Jennifer Boulanger gifts readers with a moving story about truth and lies, societal upheaval and families in crises, as seen through the lens of a loving sister and insightful chronicler.

Praise for “A Song For Olaf”

…beautifully and movingly told, bringing tears to my eyes several times. Gay men who have a special bond with a sister will recognize themselves and their siblings in these pages.”
– Sean Strub, Activist and Editor, POZ Magazine

“In this beautifully-observed life of one man and brother, Jennifer Boulanger holds up a mirror to countless other lives. Even perhaps, our own.”
– Laurie Gunst, author

About The Author

Jennifer Boulanger is a journalist, educator, mother, and the sister of the eponymous Olaf. A former professor and community college dean, today she is a passionate advocate for the refugee community of Central New York and Vice President of Whitney’s Legacy, a foundation dedicated to supporting and empowering women.