Richard W. Hall; Gay Novelist, Playwright, Book Critic, Columnist

Richard W. Hall, 65, whose six novels and several plays--all dealing with gay themes--made him one of the best-known figures in the homosexual community. He was the first openly gay critic elected to the National Book Critics Circle and also wrote book reviews for several publications and a book column for the Advocate, a gay magazine. His works included “Fidelities: A Book of Stories,” “Family Fictions,” “Letter From a Great-Uncle and Other Stories,” “Couplings: A Book of Stories” and “Three Plays for a Gay Theater.” In New York City on Oct. 29 of the complications of AIDS.