Gay Spirit: Myth and Meaning [Paperback]

Mark Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1988

Gay Spirit, the psychic and creative energies generated by people we now call gay, has always existed on the outer shores of our culture's collective consciousness. In the past, gay people were labeled heretics, perversions of nature, or categorized pseudo-scientifically. Gay people lived on the edge of the global village or worked within its mainstream in denial and disguise. But today that spirit has re-emerged and lives among us.

This book of essays explores the possibilities of that spirit--suggesting ways in which gay people might find a place and purpose in human culture unique to themselves, departing with the questions asked nearly forty years ago by the Mattachine Society: Who are we? Where have we come from? Why are we here?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Cultural editor of the Advocate, Thompson here collects previously published articles and book excerpts from the magazine, each an attempt to define the status of gay men. In an introduction he distinguishes between homosexual (a form of sexuality) and gay: "A social identity and consciousness actively chosen." The text discusses the gay's role in politics, religion, culture, identity. Among the contributors are Judy Grahn, author of lesbian/feminist works; Malcolm Boyd, activist Episcopal priest; Harry Hay, a founder of the Mattachine Society; and writer William S. Burroughs. Although the anthology will prove enlightening to nongays, they will be put off by Geoff Mains's "Urban Aboriginals and the Celebration of Leather Magic," an approving, detailed description of sadomasochism. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Gay Spirit is so terrific at making the reader feel there might be something more wondrous, more miraculous to life...the book's exciting challenge to conventional thinking is that it's not merely time for society to tolerate but time to cherish its intermediate sexual types."--Los Angeles Times Book review

"Gay Spirit is daring, which only proves its timeliness...it signals the opening of a new area of gay publishing, a field of spiritual exploration outside the context of religion or politics."--The Advocate

"Gay Spirit calls gay people back to the Circle of Life as full participants in the dance of survival and joy...this anthology is like the rains of spring hastening our unique growth, flowering and fruition."--Gay Community News

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (March 15, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312017650
• ISBN-13: 978-0312017651
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #710,892 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great overview of contempory gay spiritual thought, October 12, 2007

By 

Darmony91 (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gay Spirit: Myth and Meaning (White Crane Spirituality series) (Perfect Paperback)

Having owned this book since the first edition came out, I was dumbfounded when I saw there were no reviews of it. I admit to some bias here since I know the author personally, but it is the best summary of current gay thinking on gay spirituality. The thrust of the book is that we gays are different in fundamental ways from straights. One of the most significant is our search for meaning outside of the instinct of perpetuating the species through the family. And when St. Paul kicks you out of church, you start seeking answers outside of conventional wisdom. All gays and lesbians should be acquainted with those who have struggled with finding those answers. Highly recommended