Much More Than Sexuality: Listening to 70 Gay People Talk About Their Lives [Paperback]

Liz Sherblom (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Focusing on the northeastern United States, Liz and John Sherblom compiled and edited the life stories of 70 gay people for Much More Than Sexuality: 70 Gay People Talk about Their Lives. Started when John Sherblom's brother developed (and eventually died from) AIDS, it was intended to put a human face on a group through discussions of AIDS, coming out, love, children, work, friends and other aspects of life (June, Audenreed Press [P.O. Box 1305 #103; Brunswick, Maine 04011], $13 ISBN 1-879418-90-8).
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Much More Than Sexuality is a moving compilation of heartfelt and sometimes achingly honest testimony by 70 gay men and women, set against the backdrop of society's resistance to variations in sexual orientaion. The stories they share are as unique as the teller. Emily went through the Great Depression wondering about her sexuality and sharing decades of her life exclusively with another woman. John is a recovering alcoholic whose substance abuse was directly linked to the secret fear and shame he felt over being gay. Tom and Phil were attracted to other males when they were adolescents, and revel in the most mundane parts of the life they share together - jobs, mowing the lawn and having dinner with friends. Carol was married and left an abusive relationship, came to terms with being a lesbian, and then struggled for acceptance from her daughter and son-in-law. The book is aptly named. Though sex, passion, lust and love-making are discussed, the focus of the profiles is life, with all its trials, responsibilities, joys, and little miracles, and the innate desire of human beings to be treated with simple dignity and respect. Gay men and women will no doubt find many kindred spirits in the memorable pages of this book, but it would seem to be an even more valuable reference for those who are more accepting of the stereotypes of homosexuality than they are the real people behind them. -- From Independent Publisher

Product Details

• Paperback: 324 pages
• Publisher: Audenreed Pr (April 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879418908
• ISBN-13: 978-1879418905
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,801,660 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars important, April 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Much More Than Sexuality: Listening to 70 Gay People Talk About Their Lives (Paperback)

This is the best book I have read to explain the way homosexual people really are. Everyone, including homosexuls, is homophobic to some extent, so that TALKING about what it is like to be gay is just not done. The isolation this causes leads to the despair that so many gay people feel, and the hostility of so many straights. These 70 people are real - just like us, and the interviews are so well edited that the voices are authentic. The stories talk about when each interviewee first realized they were "different", how they struggled to be "normal", and how they found happiness. If you are interested in better understanding how you feel about sexuality - your own, and/or that of a gay person, read this book. Even more important, if you believe that there is much more to a person's identity than his or her sexuality, this book will affirm and support you.