Setting Them Straight: You Can Do Something About Bigotry and Homophobia in Your Life

Rating:
Summary: Sometimes snappy answers just aren't good enough
Review: Although some readers seem to have gotten a great benefit from Ms. Berzon's book, sometimes complicated questions deserve more complicated answers. At one point, she argues that a person very likely is born homosexual. And yet, at another, in disputing the use of the Bible to justify bigotry argues that the Bible never discusses sexual orientation. As she says, nothing was known of such things in the ancient world (apparently despite people having in-bred same-sex attractions). Missing is the extensive scholarship revealing how intimately homophobia relates to the development of modern capitalism.

Rating:
Summary: Sometimes snappy answers just aren't good enough
Review: Although some readers seem to have gotten a great benefit from Ms. Berzon's book, sometimes complicated questions deserve more complicated answers. At one point, she argues that a person very likely is born homosexual. And yet, at another, in disputing the use of the Bible to justify bigotry argues that the Bible never discusses sexual orientation. As she says, nothing was known of such things in the ancient world (apparently despite people having in-bred same-sex attractions). Missing is the extensive scholarship revealing how intimately homophobia relates to the development of modern capitalism.

Rating:
Summary: Turn the argument around.
Review: I agree with all the comments (good and bad) that one reader made under the Amazon review heading "Usually helpful, but sometimes too brusque. March 11, 1999." However, I want to add that I love the way Berzon helps turn arguments around, forcing the attacker to not only examine his/her own words, but also why s/he would say them. Berzon uses her background in psychotherapy to help people search for the roots of bigotry. All gays and lesbians should read this book; their supporters should as well. Berzon offers knowledge, inspiration, and empowerment.

Rating:
Summary: Turn the argument around.
Review: I agree with all the comments (good and bad) that one reader made under the Amazon review heading "Usually helpful, but sometimes too brusque. March 11, 1999." However, I want to add that I love the way Berzon helps turn arguments around, forcing the attacker to not only examine his/her own words, but also why s/he would say them. Berzon uses her background in psychotherapy to help people search for the roots of bigotry. All gays and lesbians should read this book; their supporters should as well. Berzon offers knowledge, inspiration, and empowerment.

Rating:
Summary: Gay Empowerment At Its Finest
Review: I just finished reading this wonderful book by Dr. Berzon and I must say that it's gay empowerment at its finest! I recommend this book to anyone and everyone who is gay or knows someone who is gay but I recommend it even more to those who are unfamiliar with who and what gay really is. I'm now ordering a copy to be sent to my Christian mother. I wished all of our lawmakers would read this enlightend masterpiece!

Rating:
Summary: Wish I Would Have Found This Long Ago!
Review: This is an excellent dose of both therapy and guts! Berzon gives effective strategies for handling homophobia and taking back your life. She even goes as far as to psychoanalyze the frame of mind and motivations that lie inside the mind of everyone from your typical homophobe, to your religious fundamentalist, to racist/gay-bashing skinhead. She gives you a sense of empowerment by telling your the stories of what seem to be real gay and lesbian folks and even tells her own.

She even tells how to handle a media confrontation with a bully like James Dobson (something today's gay activists really need). Overall, this is a gem that I will keep and I recommend that anyone serious about the gay rights cause or standing up for what they believe in get a copy of this book, sit down, enjoy it, and pass it on to your friends for a little help in life.

It's more than some cheesy self-help book that makes you feel good and leaves you standing in the cold. Berzon goes as far as to tell you what to do in your daily life to make things better. She tells you how to argue, deconstruct homophobic remarks for the flawed items they are, and how to respond effectively and marvelously. She uses examples of real situations and conversations.

Before I read this book, I thought I have enough confidence to "get by" in a confrontation with homophobia. Now, I know for sure that I'll be the one coming out looking intelligence and knowing that I'm right.