"Sex Camp" [Paperback]

Brian McNaught (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1420816454 | ISBN-13: 978-1420816457 | Publication Date: January 14, 2005

"In his book 'SEX CAMP,' Brian McNaught ventures into places where most people fear to tread. His searing honesty combines with an overt ability to pose issues about human sexuality that desperately need to be faced, lest we continue to violate those who do not fit our security boxes. I commend his work but only to those among us who are courageous and radically open."Bishop John Shelby Spong:AuthorHere I Stand! My Struggle for a Christianity of Integrity, Love and Equality Thirty-two strangers arrive at a Church-owned retreat facility on Saturday to work with some of the best trainers in the field of sexuality. They're told that by the end of the week, they'll know more about sex than ninety percent of the population. What they go home with on the following Saturday is a lot more than they anticipated or were promised.Besides laughing, crying, swearing, and cheering through films and intimate discussions about sexual values, body image, "self-pleasuring," gender identity, sexual orientation, seduction, abuse, theology, and "turn ons," they faced off with each other around an altar in the woods, under blankets and star-filled skies, bareassed in the water, and with hands joined singing in a circle.Most everyone goes home forever changed. That is, if they make it through the week.The Annual Workshop on Sexuality at Thornfield was called "the world's best kept secret." Now you're in on it. "Oh honey, you should have been there. We had two transsexuals and one cross dresser, and a nun, and two football coaches, and an 'ex-gay' guy, and lots of homosexuals, and we watched films of men and women masturbating and making love, and men and men, and women and women ... and I talked about how you were non-orgasmic, and it was really cool!"- "Sex Camp"

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Brian McNaught is a sexuality trainer and author whose primary focus are the issues facing gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, and those who live or work with them. Named "the godfather of gay sensitivity training" by the New York Times, he has worked primarily with heterosexual audiences in major corporate and university settings since 1974. He is the author of the classic "coming out" book, On Being Gay - Thoughts on Family, Faith and Love, as well as Gay Issues in the Workplace and Now That I'm Out, What Do I Do? Brian also produced and/or is featured in five highly-praised videos, three of which have been aired regularly on PBS affiliates. He lives with his spouse, Ray Struble, in Provincetown, MA, and in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.For more information on Brian or his educational materials, go to www.brian-mcnaught.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (January 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1420816454
• ISBN-13: 978-1420816457
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,516,947 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sex and Sensibility, February 11, 2005

By 

JOHN OLEARY (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: "Sex Camp" (Paperback)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It deals with an annual workshop on sexuality held at a retreat center in upstate New York. The leaders are professional sex educators and the participants are a group of teachers, counselors, medics, ministers and seekers. The author has presented us with a book that drew me into the experience of challenge and change and transformation that affected the real participants. From being a reader, I felt I became a participant too. I liked that.

I liked too the style, which is conversational, with knowledge and information filtered through the different dialogues that take place. The workshop presentations are engaging, and the subsequent group meetings and private conversations that followed caused me to look at my ideas and prejudices, and to question them.

The whole gamut of sexuality in all its diversity came up for review, always treated with sensitivity and respect. And there seemed to be great fun in the formal class settings, and in the informal moments at walks, talks, and swims. I envied the laughing, and I shared the tears. Sexuality and its concerns were treated in a life-accepting and life-enhancing way. I felt that no matter what my gender or orientation or spirituality, I had a respected place in the midst of life. I felt my biases and prejudices tweaked as I opened up to other perspectives and points of view.

You may have seen the movie, "Kinsey," and marveled at the ignorance of the past and the subsequent fears and inhibitions that followed, and then appreciated the freedom and understanding that resulted from real knowledge. I think you'll find yourself on a similar journey as you read "Sex Camp." I did!

I did not particularly like the title, which was the affectionate nickname used by staff and participants. Another tweak for me! Also, while I loved the interactions between the participants, it was an effort at times to keep them apart and remember who was who. But their stories won me over and have remained with me. Their stories are my story. It could be yours too.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!! What a story!!, April 27, 2005

By 

LJ Anaradian (Manasquan, NJ; USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: "Sex Camp" (Paperback)

Brian McNaught's book "Sex Camp" is an extraordinary story, one which is not only a great novel but informative and can be challenging to the reader. If you have ever had the great privilege to hear Brian speak in person, you can "hear" him throughout this book. Watching the "campers" go through their own journeys during the week at camp was very real -- so much that although there were 32 participants portrayed, I felt I was the 33rd camper!!

As I read the book, I found myself gaining new information about sexuality and along the way, laughing, smiling and crying with the participants. Excellent character development with tons of information for everyone who picks up this book.

I highly recommend this book -- it's a beauty!!

Way to go Brian!!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!, May 11, 2005

By 

L. Butera (East Norriton, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: "Sex Camp" (Paperback)

This book was a pleasure to read! I thoroughly enjoyed attending "Sex Camp" via the written word of Brian McNaught!

I strongly encourage you to add it to your summer reading list. After all, you just never know who's eye the title might catch by the pool, at the beach, or on a plane!