Quick Facts
Biography
Guillaume Dustan (November 29, 1965, Paris – October 3, 2005), born William Baranès, was an openly gay French writer and journalist.
Biography
William Baranès was born in 1965. He graduated from the École nationale d'administration and worked as a legal judge before turning to writing. He used the nom de plume Guillaume Dustan from 1995 onwards. His first novel, Dans ma chambre, brought him fame. His work has been compared to Renaud Camus, Marguerite Duras, Herve Guibert, Celine's Journey to the End of the Night, Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey into Night, and Bret Easton Ellis.
He also edited Le Rayon Gay, a collection of books, for Balland.
He was short film producer. Some of his films include Nous and Back.
He acted in the 2005 film PROCESS written & directed by CS Leigh playing the employee who checks Beatrice Dalle into the hotel where she will take her own life. The film also stars Guillaume Depardieu.
He was a proponent of barebacking and at loggerheads with Act Up.
Baranès died of an accidental drug overdose on October 3, 2005.