THE MANY FACES OF GAY: Activists Who Are Changing the Nation - Softcover

Kahn, Arthur

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0595366368 ISBN 13: 9780595366361

Publisher: iUniverse, 2005

Synopsis

In the mid 1980s Arthur Kahn worked as a volunteer at the Gay Men's Health Crisis, an organization leading the fight against AIDS epidemic. He subsequently conducted interviews in several countries regarding AL-721, a medication greeted as a possible cure for the disease. The result was Aids, The Winter War: A Testing of America published in 1993. His next undertaking seemed to follow naturally, interviewing some 60 New York City gay activists--gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and a transvestite, people making positive contributions in varied aspects of society. The result is The Many Faces of Gay.

About this title

Review

"Kahn gives a lucid account of 'what it means to be gay in late 20th-century America' by examining the private and public lives of some 60 activists he interviewed in the New York area. A series of short biographies chronicles the coming-out stories of lesbians, gay men, and transgendered persons...of varied racial, religious, and ethnic backgrounds. He also discusses how their experiences have translated into activism in such areas as homophobic violence, law enforcement, the military, and AIDS. Kahn's clear-eyed, scholarly approach allows the subjects and their actions to speak for themselves, with poignant, affirmative, even harrowing results. An invaluable historical and social chronicle, this is also a worthy companion to more psychologically oriented coming-out guides....and deserves a wide audience. Recommended for public libraries as well as academic or special libraries with gay studies collections."-Library Journal ..."a valuable resource for specialists in social movements, in gay history, and in contemporary culture studies."-Choice ?...a valuable resource for specialists in social movements, in gay history, and in contemporary culture studies.?-Choice ?Kahn gives a lucid account of 'what it means to be gay in late 20th-century America' by examining the private and public lives of some 60 activists he interviewed in the New York area. A series of short biographies chronicles the coming-out stories of lesbians, gay men, and transgendered persons...of varied racial, religious, and ethnic backgrounds. He also discusses how their experiences have translated into activism in such areas as homophobic violence, law enforcement, the military, and AIDS. Kahn's clear-eyed, scholarly approach allows the subjects and their actions to speak for themselves, with poignant, affirmative, even harrowing results. An invaluable historical and social chronicle, this is also a worthy companion to more psychologically oriented coming-out guides....and deserves a wide audience. Recommended for public libraries as well as academic or special libraries with gay studies collections.?-Library Journal

About the Author

Arthur D. Kahn is an octogenarian retired Classics professor and author of twelve books on widely diverse subjects. He served as an Office of Strategic Services operative during World War II, ran for Congress in 1952 and engaged as a leader in peace organizations and civil rights struggles.

Edition details

• Publisher: iUniverse
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0595366368
• ISBN 13: 9780595366361
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352