Working-Class Gay and Bisexual Men

Rating:
Summary: Great topic, kinda mediocre text
Review: The editor acknowledges something that is glaringly true: there is not enough published materials about the lives of working-class gay men and lesbians. This is the editor's much needed attempt to buck that trend. However, it is written for social workers much more than for the topic population. In addition, it is nowhere as excellent as Leslie Feinberg's "Stone Butch Blues" or Dorothy Allison's texts. Boys gotta do better in this area.

What is odd about this book is how little class is actually brought up. When you read lesbian texts, they spend much time criticizing androcentrism in the gay community. Gay people of color have done the same with racism in the community. But this book attacks classism only to the slightest degree. Many of the articles only spend a page or two on it.

The best thing about this book is its diversity. There are several chapters about gay Latinos. Even in highly white countries like New Zealand and Australia, the author tries to bring up race issues. In every survey done, they try to get input from men of color. Of the research subjects, there is age diversity as well. This is especially impressive in the AIDS era when many older men have succumb to the illness. Lastly, it is very bi-inclusive. Many "queer" texts put "bisexual" in the title and then never address their issues. Though this book has no bi-specific chapters, it does mention men who are married, men who have had relationships with women, etc. Even the cover has a photo of a man with a supposed girlfriend.

Half this anthology is written by the editor. And unfortunately, his pieces are the worst in the text. Though I give this book a mediocre review, I don't discourage people from buying it. It was interesting; just not superior.