Reviews (3)

Fascinating
This book provides a fascinating look at the gay and lesbian movement through the lens of politics and society.I was intrigued by the quality of the work, the research, and the practicality of the content.A must read.

Worst book on gay rights ever
I'm surprised that Cambridge University Press would have published this very weak study of lesbian and gay organizing in Britian and the US. It reads like senior thesis. Instead of this book, I would recommend the serious scholarship of people like Craig Rimmerman, Steven Seidman or Mark Blasius.

WOW WHAT ABRAIN CHILD
THIS GUY SURE KNOWS WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT AND EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK.. THREE CHEERS TO THE AUTHOR. THANK YOUSTEPHEN FOR AN HONEST LOOK AT THIS TIME PERIOD ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Gay liberation movement    3. Gender Studies    4. History    5. History & Theory - General    6. Lesbian Studies    7. Lesbian feminism    8. Philosophy    9. Social Science    10. Social movements    11. Sociology    12. Sociology - General    13. Gay & Lesbian studies    14. Gay liberation movement--History    15. Social Science / Gender Studies    16. Social groups & communities   

Subjects:  1. Feminism    2. Feminism & Feminist Theory    3. General    4. History & Surveys - Modern    5. Language and languages    6. Linguistics    7. Philosophy    8. Sex differences    9. Gay & Lesbian studies   

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Gender identity    3. Homosexuality    4. Human Sexuality    5. Philosophy    6. Psychoanalysis    7. Psychology    8. Sex (Psychology)    9. Gay & Lesbian studies    10. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    11. Psychoanalysis & psychoanalytical theory    12. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Subjects:  1. Friendship    2. Gay Studies    3. Social Science    4. Sociology    5. Women's Studies - General    6. Feminism    7. Social, group or collective psychology    8. Technology / General   

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Criticism    3. Gay & Lesbian    4. General    5. Literature and morals    6. Moral and ethical aspects    7. Philosophy    8. Semiotics & Theory    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Literary Criticism & Collections / Theory    12. Literary theory   

Editorial Review

Walter C. Righter, former Episcopal Bishop of Iowa and assistant Bishop of the diocese of Newark, New Jersey, has a license plate on his Subaru Legacy that reads: "HRETIC." He is the second man in the American Episcopal Church's 208-year history to be charged with heresy, and he tells the full story of his much-hyped 1996 trial and acquittal in a memoir called Read more

Reviews (3)

Of greatest interest to Episcopalians.
I enjoyed this book as a member of the Episcopal Congregation because I know the players or know of them. It sheds some light on church politics and clarifies why this presentment was directed at Righter rather than Bishop Spong.If you share the view point of Bishop Righter, you will enjoy sharing his fight through this rather well writtenbook.

A man in a critical moment in history
Walter Righter, retired Bishop of Iowa, was chaged with heresy in the Episcopal Church in the USA, only the second time in the Church's history in this country.His personal account of the events of this historic moment will be a valuable insight into a kind man thrown into the forefront of the Church's mission and growth toward the Kingdom.

Encouraging words for those tempted to give up on the Church
Bishop Righter is one of the Church's current heroes and anyone who feels that Christianity has lost its relevance as we approach the newmillennium will be encouraged by this very readable account. The Bishop is to be congratulated for taking the time and trouble to relate his first-hand experience of ignorance and cant among reactionary elements in the Episcopal Church. Gays and lesbians reading this book will likewise be encouraged by the fact that there is at least one mainline Christian denomination that has the wisdom to refrain from the adoption of mindless attitudes towards human sexuality. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Bishops    4. Episcopal Church    5. Homosexuality    6. Ordination of gays    7. Philosophy    8. Religious    9. Religious aspects   

Reviews (3)

A worthwhile purchase
While it is somewhat true that the book offers little in terms of earth-shattering ways to make the church more inclusive, it does offer hopeful glimpses and reminders that the church is slowly but surely becoming a safer place for African-American gays and lesbians.The author does a very good job of chronicling the stories of African-American pastors who've moved beyond tolerance or intolerance to a place of affirmation.

Save your money
Though well written, this book adds nothing original to the dialogue between relgion and sexuality.Everthing in the book, I suspect we have heard a thousand times already.

A respectful, intelligent work
A Whosever Church is the latest in Rev. Gary Comstock's series of books dealing with the gay community and religion. Like the others, this book is intelligent, respectful, eminently readable, and thought-provoking. It consists of twenty interviews with prominent African American pastors, from a range of denominations and locations.Read more

Subjects:  1. African American clergy    2. Christian Sexual Ethics    3. Christianity    4. Christianity - Christian Life - Social Issues    5. Church work with African Ameri    6. Church work with African American gays    7. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    8. Gay Studies    9. Homosexuality    10. Institutions & Organizations    11. Interviews    12. Philosophy    13. Religion    14. Religion - Socialissues    15. Religious aspects    16. Black studies    17. Gay studies (Gay men)    18. Philosophy of religion    19. Sex & sexuality    20. USA   

Reviews (2)

highly recommended.
This book provides an excellent overview of what has been grouped into "queer theory".It explains Foucault and the subsequent development of queer theories about various topics very concisely.The author discusses major contemporary thinkers like Judith Butler, and yet the prose and the layout remain straightforward and amazingly simple.No other queer theory book provides so much information in 80 pages. Good Intro to Foucault and Queer Theory
Michel Foucault's work on sexuality was highly influential in the formation of Queer Theory. This short book gives a readable introduction to Foucault's complex argument, and to the ways in which this argument influenced Queer Theory. It is very succesful in conveying complex theoretical ideas in a clear way, and will be useful as an introduction to be read before, or after, reading Foucault and the ones influenced by him. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. General    3. History & Surveys - Modern    4. Philosophy    5. Lesbian studies    6. Western philosophy, from c 1900 -   

Reviews (4)

Harvard's Secret Court : The Savage 1920 Purge of Campus Homosexuals
WOW, to think that the powers that be at Harvard in the 20's and future leaders of the US can affect the lives of individuals is something akin to todays government......don't cross me!Very well written and a real eye opener.You'll enjoy this book start to finish.

Persecuted, Expelled, Abandoned, Friendless, and Made to Feel like Scum
Even though the facts are new, there's nothing really shocking about the three week secret court of 1920 at Harvard.Homophobia, if that's what we can agree to call it, has been a part of human history for eons, and I wasn't surprised to find that deans of the college had interviewed thirty students, teachers and Cambridge outsiders about their sex habits, only to expel fourteen of them later down the pike.It was horrifying but not really a shock.
A Vengeful Harvard College Eats Its Own
William Wright has revealed an astonishing and gruesomely fascinating episode in American history in this investigation of a roundup of students at Harvard College who were homosexual or indulging in homosexuality.Following the suicide of a student who had been left by his Boston cafe-owning lover, a secret court was established whose major governing influence was the college president, the beloved A. Lawrence Lowell, better known for his part in sending Sacco and Vanzetti to the electric chair, changing the acceptance procedure to ensure that the number of Jews admitted to the college was limited, and attempting to prevent black students from living in dormitories.This secret court "requested" the appearance of anybody from the Boston/Cambridge area who it felt had influenced its precious charges in such a loathsome and immoral way, and all such "requests" to appear were respected, even though the persons subpoenaed by this kangaroo court were in danger of having their reputations destroyed.But the book primarily investigates the students involved, the facts of the investigation and the future lives of the accused, one of whom committed suicide immediately after questioning and another after 10 years, his life having been, for all intents and purposes, ruined by the influence of his expulsion from Harvard.Some of the expelled recovered to one degree or another from the experience to eke out decent lives.One became a very influential and politically connected jurist. The story is heartbreaking and the cruelty and vindictiveness of the court staggering.Wright takes no prisoners in delineating the facts.Bizarrely, however, after observing that Lowell left his fortune to a Harvard-related philanthropic organization, Wright notes that it is his mistakes that are remembered, "perhaps unjustly".Such a generous judgment is hard to explain.This book is vividly illuminating of the overweening arrogance of WGU (World's Greatest University), the hysteria surrounding homosexuality in the U.S. post-WWI, the potential for a hateful cruelty among conservative Brahmin educators, and human resiliency and human tragedy in the face of a vengeful witch-hunting elite.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Cambridge    3. Discrimination in higher education    4. Education / Teaching    5. Gay college students    6. Harvard University    7. Higher    8. History    9. History: American    10. Massachusetts    11. Philosophy & Social Aspects    12. Students    13. U.S. History - 20th Century (General)    14. United States - 20th Century    15. Social Science / Gay Studies   

Reviews (2)

A Wise Offering to the Homosexuality Discussion
Craig Nessan has contributed an accessible overview of the homosexuality debate with a brief outline of a "third way." This book is worth the price alone for Nessan's wise first chapter, which begins by defining with clarity the heart of Christianity (God's revelation and salvation in Jesus), and from that starting point addresses the particular issue of sexuality. Brief summaries of commonly held, divergent positions are accurately reviewed with the suggestion that it is highly unlikely that there will ever be a widely agreed upon middle ground in the Christian church. Thus, a "third way" is proposed in this book: Can Christians and the Church agree to disagree on the issue of homosexuality and grant freedom of conviction to individuals as they are guided by faith? This small text acknowledges the complexity of studying homosexuality is not simply a matter of applying the one, pure, Orthodox hermeneutic for interpreting scripture with a simple, trouble-free answer...and that there are likely more important core issues which ought to demand our time and energy! PS: Thank you, Craig, for using the whole of II Corinthians as a way of showing the more excellent way: God's love.

An Invaluable Resource for a Hot Topic
Same-Gender relationships are a hot topic.We see stories in the news about cities, counties and states testing the legal boundaries regarding same-gender civil unions and marriages.The topic is hot within many churches as well.Perhaps even more than in the secular world, within the context of the church, the discussion regarding accepting or rejecting same-gender unions generates strong opinions and passions.Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Christianity - Church Administration - General    3. Gay Studies    4. Gender Studies    5. Homosexuality    6. Homosexuality in the Bible    7. Lutheran Church    8. Philosophy    9. Religion    10. Religious aspects    11. Sociology   

Features

• Illustrated

Subjects:  1. Christian ethics    2. Christianity    3. Christianity - Christian Life - Interpersonal Relationships    4. Christianity - Theology - Ethics    5. Christianity - Theology - General    6. Ethics    7. Gay Studies    8. Religion    9. Religion - Theology    10. Religious aspects    11. Sex    12. Sexual ethics    13. Sexuality    14. Theology    15. Ethical issues & debates    16. Ethics & moral philosophy    17. Gay & Lesbian studies    18. Gender studies    19. Philosophy of religion    20. Religion / Christianity / Theology / Ethics    21. SEX_RELIGIOUS ASPECTS_CHRISTIANITY   

Reviews (11)

The story of a true Bodhisattva
I enjoyed this book, and nearly gave it four stars, but I felt that it was missing something.
Bodhisattva
My impression from this book was it was a story of a present day Bodhisattva.
A deep sense of gratitude
I read the reviews of this book before purchasing it.As a queer writer in Spirituality and Religion I have a great deal of sensitivity about heterosexist bent towards gay characters and history.So, David Sunseri's review of the book sat perched on my shoulder as I read this book.
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Subjects:  1. 1933-1990    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Dorsey, Issan,    5. Eastern - General    6. Eastern - Zen    7. Gay Studies    8. Gay men    9. Homosexuality    10. Philosophers    11. Philosophy    12. Priests, Zen    13. Religious    14. Religious life    15. Specific Groups - Male Gay Studies    16. United States    17. Zen Buddhism   

Reviews (1)

A Jewel of Himalayan Wisdom
Anyone who ever heard Sadguru Sant Keshavadas speak, as I did, became instantly mesmerized by the beauty and wisdom of his speech. He was equally gifted at sharing great truths through the written word. Gayatri: TheHighest Meditation is not only a treasure of ancient vedic wisdom revealedby a genuine guru but the lanquage is so poetic as to sparkle and shimmerwith a light all its own. Sant Keshavadas conveys the teaching onmediation, God and why we should devote ourselves to practice with a voicethat rings divine.I could not read his work without feeling a sweetcelestrial thrillthat let me know I was connecting with somethingvital.Read more

Subjects:  1. Criticism, interpretation, etc    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Eastern - General    4. Gayatri    5. General    6. GÃ¥ayatrÃ¥i    7. Hinduism    8. Indian Philosophy    9. Religion    10. Rgveda    11. Vedas    12. Vedas.    13. Ã´Rgveda.    14. India    15. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    16. Oriental & Indian philosophy    17. Philosophy / Eastern    18. Yoga for exercise   

Reviews (13)

Open your eyes and read this book
This is not a book for the over-PC Queer activist crowd. Its meant for anyone who has felt alienated being an out and proud homosexual in the contemporary 'gay community' (in fact, the very term 'gay community' will sound like a misnomer after you read this book).
To Thine Own Self Be True
It is amazing, to say the least, the words and thoughts which approach, enter, modify, and explode upon one anothers' minds.One must simply face the fact that "LOVE" is the center "keyword" at hand here.No matter how fluent, grandure, and explicit we describe the facts that we deal with from day to day, each of us must face the simple yet complex truth of who and what we are.Each and every one of us are given the chance to love and to engulf life to the fullest extent.In no way could anyone honestly rebuke nor applaud the undertones nor obvious "overtones" stated within this publication.However, can anyone even begin to notice the eruption of anger and rebellion provided herein?Aside from the "truth" that the color, "red" institutes and demonstrates "anger", and aside from the truth that "ANTI" is not only a negative and irreprochable "sensation", how can anyone defend nor offend the cause and effect of the argument of this novel? Oh, how quite apparent is the anger which flows forth, only to begat more anger.To each his own and different taste.Personally, I, as well as millions of other avid readers, look forward to feeling a pleasant yet warm sensation upon each and every new highway that I venture upon beginning a new adventure with each and every of the literal thounsands of books that I have enountered, roads that I have traveled, and in some cases, such as this particular one, it could not be better described that I not only "traveled" a road, but it was a very uncomfortable and travailing road.So many positive points could easily have been tackled, with the verb, "tackled" being such a heavily overstated description which tends to paint the mere opposite of what both the author and the audience perform, as true writing and the act of "loving what one performs when doing so" can only be experienced when both the "reader" and the "composer" genuinely "love" their duties of doing such. In fact, it would have been and could very well have become such an easier task had this "reader" sensed even the most remote and clandestine "love and appreciation" for the subject that was written, perhaps even a pleasant sensation, which, if approached carefully and with an open yet "pleasant" mood at hand, the simple enactment of thinking of even such a "small yet pleasant thought" can and usually does transform our streams of consciousness to a manner in which even the least-experienced reader(s) (the MOST-experienced author(s) might even be astounded, as well!) could sense the warmness and light-hearted blend and, as is usually the case, even the most simple "warm thought" can be noticeably, yet strikingly obvious upon reviewing our written thoughts, even to the point that we find it so contagious that we pass it from our minds upon our formation of written words that we know and sense the very same results resonating from those who anxiously await to read what was once our own private thoughts.There's nothing much more satisfying that one could feel than a sensation of "completion", and more often than not, these wonderful feelings most often occur within both our writing minds, as well as those who wish to enquire into our thoughts and perceptions, most often, that is, when we choose to have a genuine interest and even the most simple "positive" mindset.This is respectfully one person's completion of his own particular mindset, though unfortunately and most obviously is far from a full, complete, and happy one and it truely is such a shame that one "chooses" to view life in such a negative way when there is so much to love about all of us --- so much that we could never begin to absorb the realities within ourselves, not to mention the wonderfulness within one another's lives.If everyone could see the love within themselves, harsh realities such as this could be avoided.There is much more to say and very little time to say, much less act upon it.From the moment we are born, we have the ability to love one another.Each makes his or her choice.There is no other explanation and those who deny this are denying our purpose for existing.Individuals may continue to coin phrases such as "homosexual", "faggot", "gay", etc.; however, "Love" is a simple "on/off" switch --- either you have it in your heart or you don't. Masking such a true and hallowed notion (and to some, "Reality!")...and to MANY a true emotion "three-dimensionally felt", is a simple manner which harms us all.We all have no excuse for denying the words and feelings which encompass us.Exchanging worse of hate, remorse, and defense lead us to nowhere but a bitter end.Let us all be loving and ... for us if noone else .... love one another and put a bitter end to such a futile war. May God bless each and every one of us.Amen.

Ballsy
It's funny how a book about why homos don't need to be `gay' is attacked for not being gay enough and for failing to offer us the New Mince Forwards.It's as if gays are too delicate and fragile to be exposed to self-criticism and dissent without being immediately soothed and reassured by a vision of The Emerald City.It's precisely because this book doesn't have anything to sell us that it is so refreshing.Odd how a book with `Anti-` in the title turns out to be CRITICAL, isn't it?The various books which have appeared in the US since 'Anti-Gay' (a UK book, please note) appeared have pretended to be critical but have all been way too gay.All of them have been written by pink snake-oil salesmen who want to convince us that they have patented the `right' way to be homo - e.g. Signorile and Sullivan squabbling over who should have the keys to the Gay Community pulpit.Their `critical' dimension has turned out to be mere moralism.Funnily enough, the most `political' statement in regard to contemporary homosexuality turns out to be an attempt, however unlikely, to free homo-ness from political imperatives (which anyway have just become a branch of consumer politics).'Anti-Gay' does this with humour and wit, and also with real balls - an organ that sheep-like contemporary gays wouldn't know what to do with, besides shaving and hanging weights from. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Gay/Lesbian Nonfiction    3. Homosexuality    4. Lesbian Studies    5. Philosophy    6. Political aspects    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. Gay studies (Gay men)   

Subjects:  1. Early works to 1800    2. Friendship    3. Greece    4. History & Surveys - Ancient & Classical    5. Homosexuality    6. Homosexuality, Male    7. Love    8. Philosophy    9. Plato    10. Ancient Western philosophy to c 500    11. Gay & Lesbian studies    12. Socrates   

Subjects:  1. Feminism    2. Feminism & Feminist Theory    3. Feminist theory    4. History: American    5. Lesbianism    6. Philosophy    7. Sociology    8. United States    9. USA   

Reviews (5)

Overlooked Classic
Saying what this book is "about" (building a house, losing a partner, practicing Zen) really misses the point.
I love this book!
Why didn't I hear about this book until recently? Duprau is an eloquent writer and this is a deep and touching story. Filled with humor and insight, this book is about two women, their Zen practice, their love for each other and the tenuousness of life. More nuanced than Natalie Goldberg, Duprau's sense of irony carries the weight of her story.

Graceful and thought-provoking -- a Great Book!
This book was enlightening and bittersweet.The story of the narrator trying to build a home with her partner Sylvia is deceptively complicated.The structure is elegant, the writing beautiful.It ends up being a meditation on life, death, grief, and compassion.Quietly, the story built in power.I loved this book and have read it twice since I first discovered it.It's a gem of a story, and I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Lesbian Studies    3. New Age    4. Philosophy    5. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Gender Studies    3. History    4. Homosexuality    5. Homosexuality in literature    6. Philosophy    7. Semiotics & Theory    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Women's Studies - General    11. Gay & Lesbian Studies/Queer Th    12. Gender Studies/Feminist Theory    13. Medieval & Early Modern Studie   

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Human Sexuality    3. Lesbian Studies    4. Social Science    5. Sociology    6. Cultural studies    7. Gay & Lesbian studies    8. Philosophy / Ethics & Moral Philosophy    9. Philosophy / Political    10. Social history   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (16)

A great and powerful demolition of the puritanical elements of the gay movement
Warner presents a highly valuable and enjoyable polemic against the increasingly LGBTQ movement or what would be better termed the growing "embourgeoisment" of the queer liberation movement represented best by such petty reactionaries as Andrew Sullivan, Michelangelo Signorile, and Larry Kramer. It certainly makes you think more about how sexually liberated we in our 'enlightened' age truly are.

A different perspective
In this excellent book, Michael Warner explains how gay and lesbian activists are pursuing the wrong goal by advocating and working for the right to be legally married. Fascinating breakdown of the politics of marriage
As a straight woman and a strong advocate for gay marriage, this book did not at first appeal to me.What could I learn from a book by a gay man arguing against gay marriage?It turns out that I had a lot to learn.Although I still believe that anyone who wants to marry should have that right, after reading this book I no longer want to get married.This breaks down the descriminatory nature of marriage and the politics of sexual shame in such an interesting way.This should be required reading for everyone--gay, straight, single, married, whatever.It's not an argument that you hear very often, but it's a very important one!Read this book--it might upset you, but it will force you to examine ideas like homosexuality, marriage, and sex in new ways. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    2. Gay Studies    3. Gay/Lesbian Nonfiction    4. Gays    5. Gender Studies    6. Homosexuality    7. Lesbian Studies    8. Sexual Ethics    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Current Events / General