Book Reviews

A selection of books reviewed by YLGC contributors

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People of Passion - What the churches teach about sex - Elizabeth Stuart and Adrian Thatcher, Mowbray, 0-264-67362-X

This is an excellent introduction to the whole range of subjects associated with sex, sexuality and gender that have perplexed the Church and society. It is really a text book for undergraduates but do not let this put you off. There are helpful chapters on Marriage, Power, Gender, Homosexuality, Desire, Spirituality and the Bible.(MK)

From Queer To Eternity - Spirituality in the lives of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual People - Peter Sweasey, Cassell, 0-304-33552-5

This book was not as good as I thought that it would be but it is still worth reading. It recounts the stories of a number of individuals from various faith traditions emphasising, naturally, how their being gay has changed their understanding of God, religion and themselves. Some of their insights are particularly interesting but it would have been worthwhile to unpack some of the issues a little more. (MK)

Anti-Gay - Ed. Mark Simpson, Cassell, 0-304-70534-9

I really did like this book in that it appealed to my questioning nature and helped me put some structure to my own thoughts and niggles about contemporary gay life. I found out about the book from the magazine Attitude and the editor is a columnist for the magazine. The articles cover such issues as 'Is their life after Sex?', 'Gay Culture: Who needs it?' and there is a really good article by Peter Tatchell. He writes really well and essentially argues that the distinctions between gay and straight need to be broken down and we should inhabit a world where individuals choose to be in relationship to whoever they want, irrespective of gender similarity or difference. (MK)

Love Undetectable - reflections on friendship, sex and survival - Andrew Sullivan, Vintage, 0-099-27532-5

This is an amazing book and I just devoured it. Sullivan is an interesting character and not always liked here but he writes powerfully in this book on a whole range of issues that are important for us. His chapters on HIV are very moving and he describes how this disease has changed his own life and that of his contemporaries. However, it is his chapters on friendship that need to be read and reread since they draw out profound insights. Sullivan argues that the theme of friendship has been understudied. He believes this is a mistake and, using Christian teaching, he goes on to try and rectify this. This book is a must in my humble opinion. (MK)

Spiritual Direction and the Gay Person - James L. Empereur, Geoffrey Chapman, 0-225-66831-9

This book is primarily for those involved in spiritual direction with gay men, yet it is a worthwhile book since it describes the processes that seem to shape gays and lesbians as they come out to themselves and to God. It was a good discipline for me to try and match various stages of my life to those found in the book. (MK)

Liberating Sex - Adrian Thatcher, 0-281-04699-9

An excellent book which covers sexuality generally but has a very good section on homosexuality. The theology is easy to read and understand. (PL)

Godless Morality - Richard Holloway, 0-86241-909-3

A very good book which covers ethics and morality generally but again has a very good chapter on homosexuality. Richard is not afraid to ask the questions that the church generally seems to avoid like drugs and abortion. (PL)

Becoming a Man - Paul Monette, 0-349-10549-9

A good read about one man's 'coming out', although it can be quite disturbing and painful at times. The reader is left with a picture of the writer as a somewhat bitter and unbalanced man. (PL)

A Place at the Table - Bruce Bawer, 0-671-89439-0

A really excellent book! It is about being gay in American Society but equally well applies in the UK. It was refreshing to read such a thoughtful and well balanced book about being gay. He speaks of being gay as neither right nor wrong but simply neutral - you are gay or you are not - it is one of those things and should not be classified as wrong or right, in the same way that being heterosexual is neither right nor wrong. (PL)

Coming Out To God, Prayers for Lesbians and Gay Men, their families and friends - Chris Glaser, 0-664-25176-5

I was very excited when I bought this book - at last a book of prayers for lesbians and gay men, but alas I have been very disappointed! I have only got through a third of it and have given up (it has a prayer for every day). In my humble opinion it is rubbish and not worth the effort. If anyone does know of a good prayer book for lesbians and gay men then please let us know. (PL)

Just Good Friends - Elizabeth Stuart

Contains some profound theological reflections on the nature of friendship, love and God. I disagree with it in many places but it is a challenge and well worth reading. (MK)

People of the Book - John Barton

A very interesting book about how we read the Bible. (GE)

Pleasure, Pain and Passion - Jim Cotter

For general integrating sexuality and spirituality, I really appreciated it. It's not specifically about being gay and Christian, but about healing the wounds between humans as sexual beings and humans as children of God. I think. Maybe a better starting point for some than justifying being gay and Christian... certainly was for me! (TL)

A list of other books recommended by YLGC contributors is available here.