Place at the Table: The Gay Individual in American Society [Paperback]

Bruce Bawer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1994

Bruce Bawer exposes the heated controversy over gay rights and presents a passionate plea for the recognition of common values, "a place at the table" for everyone.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Conservative cultural critic Bawer's canny appraisal of the gay rights movement calls for a more equitable place in American society for lesbians and gays.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Positing that negative stereotypes of homosexuals are the result of both right - wing propaganda and the high visibility of "radical gay activists," Bawer, a self-proclaimed spokesperson for the "silent majority of gays," attempts to absolve "mainstream gays" of responsibility by criticizing "subculture-oriented gays," including but not limited to Donna Minkowitz, Paul Monette, Edmund White, members of ACTUP, and those involved in Gay Pride parades. This heartfelt if misguided meditation cum manifesto is provocative, but the author's self-righteous generalizations and misrepresentation of the ethnic, socio economic, and geographic diversity of American lesbians and gays, as well as the lack of either an index or citations for the many sources, undermine the divisive diatribe.
- James E. Van Buskirk, San Francisco P.L.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (October 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671894390
• ISBN-13: 978-0671894399
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #592,538 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Self-indulgent, disorganized, and repressed., October 15, 2008

By 

Sephiroth - See all my reviews

This review is from: Place at the Table: The Gay Individual in American Society (Paperback)

At first, I thought I connected with Bawer in that I am a gay male who doesn't see himself as stereotypical, "queeny," "campy," etc. I hate being stereotyped as such, so I empathize with Bawer on that note. However, as the book went on, I found myself shocked at Bawer's rhetoric, and his logic---both are flawed, inconsistent, and baseless.

First and foremost, to criticize visible symbols of homosexuality in society is heartless, rude, and reveals his own discomfort with sexuality. Drag queens, Pride organizers, and "radical activists" dedicate their lives in order to make other people's lives better. They get out into the real world and show people what diversity is and how it is manifested. As far as this "silent majority" (gays who aren't "flamboyant," "radical," or "stereotypical") that Bawer speaks of, I offer one response: since when has silence done anything to improve human rights? Also, what does Bawer expect from this? That the "silent majority," who by implication of the word "silent" are nor vocal nor activists, will do better for gay rights? And how so? Logically, the answer ends up being the assimiliation of gays into a heteronormative world, where behavioral and linguistic traits commonly associated with heterosexuals are favored. It is these logical holes that reveals Bawer's book as an insecure and resentful, yet very self-indulgent, rant.

I would also like to connect this race. Here, Bawer has positioned himself as the Clarence Thomas of gays; Bawer simply seems to be complaining about stereotypes that are unfairly applied to him, and then trashes the people who helped him get where he is today. Bawer says that "radicals" need to get out of the public eye, similar to Booker T. Washington's doctrine of "accommodationism," which basically asked Blacks to stop "acting Black" and start acting "white" because it was normative. Thus, there is a definite logical implication that "visible" gay people need to shut up, stop "acting gay" and start to assimilate into the heteronormative environment that Bawer pretends to criticize but still participates in and perpetuates.

I want to believe that Bawer's heart is in the right place. His mind clearly is not. Every so often, you hear from people like this. But I do not believe this rhetoric is helpful, intelligent, or sustained throughout his book. Few references are given, and most of the writing is anecdotal. Although insightful, Bawer does no favors by committing the same stereotypes that his conservative targets commit; he gives little credit to the transcendent and diverse gay community, which does not need his "help" in the least. I do not believe his views in general to be relevant in a society where things are very much still separate and not equal.

8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably THE most important book for gay people, March 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Place at the Table: The Gay Individual in American Society (Paperback)

I was given the idea to read this book by a friend of mine still struggling with his sexuality. When I read it, I recognized my self and my beliefs in its pages. This book is the best, most inclusive book dealing with homosexuality that I have read. It takes a very balanced approach to many issues, such as activism, religion, family, friends, relationships, and relating to the public. Instead of taking an extreme position on any of these points, Bawer shows how logic and compromise can mean greater strides than being confrontational. He also demonstrates that there is more than one way to "be gay". Not everyone has the same politics, not everyone has the same beliefs....it's when someone tells you how you should act or which way you should vote that there is repression. Overall, an excellent book, and probably the most useful resource for anyone struggling with coming out and what it means to be gay.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Attaining Equality...., August 15, 2000

By 

Sharon D. Spiller "book fiend" (Erie, Pennsylvania USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Place at the Table: The Gay Individual in American Society (Paperback)

When this book was first released, it angered many members of the gay community and it's easy to see why. Bawer, a self professed conservative, lambasts more liberal gay rights advocates who believe in visibility at any cost. According to Bawer, this approach inevitably destroys any credibility the gay rights movement hopes to attain. True success can only be had if those interested in equality are able to work within the system in a manner that is non threatening to the majority of heterosexuals in power. Whether you agree with Bawer's approach or not, this is a book that must be read by anyone interested in the debate over the best way to establish gay and lesbian equality in this country.