Are Gay Rights Right?: Making Sense of the Controversy

Rating:
Summary: Accurate, Timely, and Needed for Our Country!
Review: After reading this book and meeting the author, I believe this book finally brings the truth to those who really want to shine light on a very important issue. Facts are Facts, no matter how old they are. The fact that George Washington was our first president is never going to change. No matter how far we as a society have fallen from what's morally and ethically proper, the truth may hurt a few, but really help a lot.

Rating:
Summary: Out-dated, distorted, stereotypical re-hash of homosexuality
Review: Although the cover says "updated edition", this book is anything but current. The author cites "present day studies" which are referenced from the 1960's. Another quote refering to "modern medicine" is from 1971. The author also presents his personal opinions referenced as fact. The book is basically fodder for those of the extreme religious right who believe that homosexuals are less than human, that AIDs is an exclusively gay disease, and all the other lies and distortions that they choose to believe, despite our current knowledge and understanding of homosexuality. The author feels that the "good homosexuals" are those that remain celebate and in the closet. The "evil homosexuals" are those who are visible and in partnerships with other homosexuals. The author also believes that jobs, homes, and access to public accomodation are special privileges that should be denied to homosexuals, i.e. gays rights are special rights. The author paints all homosexuals and homosexuality with a very broad brush; a brush coated with gross distortions and out-dated myths. A look at the facts negates practically all that is written in this book.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent, non-hysterical look at the gay lifestyle.
Review: Magnuson presents a non-hysterical, meticulous analysis of the gay community. Using their own publications and materials as his source of reference, he presents a perspective rarely given serious audience. In an age where balanced, honest debate is all but absent on this issue, Are Gay Rights Right? raises the issues succinctly, and doesn't distort conclusions to satisfy the politically correct. I have checked many of the works Magnuson cited and found his references to be accurate and undistorted. Gays have cited this work as a threat to them in that it is inarguable in its research and accurate in its findings. I can think of no other source that presents a more descriptive, sobering snapshot of the gay community. This thoughtful and provocative work should be used in our classrooms.