Was william burroughs gay

According to Russell, Burroughs's life and writing suggests a gay subjectivity which has been deeply troubling to many in the gay community. Burroughs reputedly said in a press interview, in response to a question regarding the gay rights movement, "I have never been gay a day in my life and I’m sure as hell not a part of any movement.".

Though they never officially tied the knot, Burroughs lived with Joan Vollmer as his common-law wife. Together they had one son, Billy Burroughs. They also shared a substance abuse problem, and.