Sissyphobia: Gay Men and Effeminate Behavior [Paperback]

Tim Bergling (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1560239905 | ISBN-13: 978-1560239901 | Publication Date: January 1, 2001 | Edition: 1

Cultural Writing. Gay/Lesbian Studies. New to SPD. Here is a revealing look into male effeminacy: why some gay men are swishy, why other gay men are more masculine, and why effeminate men arouse anger, disgust, and disdain in both gay and straight men. SISSYPHOBIA explores those negative feelings that are aimed at people termed fairies, faggots, flamers, and queens; men who, as the author puts it, run more toward what we could term the `Quentin Crisp school of homosexuality.' The focus of SISSYPHOBIA is the author's search of the roots of the rage toward effeminate or flamboyant men experienced by men of every sexual persuasion, even themselves. Visit the book's Web site at www.sissyphobia.com.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tim Bergling is a television news producer who lives and works in Washington D.C. He also served as a US Marine from 1982-1990. His writings have been published in Genre, Out, Instinct, Joey and Hero magazines, as well as a contribution to the military anthology A Night in the Barracks. He is currently working on his second book Reeling in the Years: Gay Men's Perspectives on Age and Ageing.

Product Details

• Paperback: 153 pages
• Publisher: Southern Tier Editions/Haworth Press; 1 edition (January 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560239905
• ISBN-13: 978-1560239901
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,476,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This Is An Important Book, May 12, 2002

By 

David R. Gillespie (Anderson, SC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sissyphobia: Gay Men and Effeminate Behavior (Paperback)

I have long been fascinated with the way in which gay men "buy into" straight thinking; to wit, that anything less than "masculine" is not to be desired. I mean, how many personal ads do you see where the guy is looking for a "fem" guy? Bergling has taken the whole discussion of preconceived gender roles and given it a personal face with the reporting of what real people think. I found the book very helpful in that regard and can only hope it stirs the thinking of those who think that anything "fem" is to be avoided at best and derided at worst. Read this book!
The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because I wanted more; it ended too soon.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Goood Stuff!, January 17, 2002

By 

"angelsindarkness" (straight suburban hell) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sissyphobia: Gay Men and Effeminate Behavior (Paperback)

this book may be a little on the short side but it is nicely written and above all you can identify with it, whether you are staight, gay, or bi. there is a little hidden wisdom in it for everybody if you just look hard enough with an open enough mind. i myself am not the most ruffneck, gymboi, denim and leather kinda guy, but the book opened my eyes to a harsh truth about the gay world. and i am not going to disclose that truth here cause then what would the point be of reading the book yourself. it portrays all the stereotypes of gay men with harsh honesty about "straight-acting" and "femmie boi" traits, with surprising compassion to both side of the spectrum.

8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow., May 28, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Sissyphobia: Gay Men and Effeminate Behavior (Paperback)

It's pretty rare that I've read a book that I would call 'important'. This one is. He addresses a subject matter that I have debated endlessly with friends, family and partners and does so in a balanced and fascinating manner. The book is splendid and the topic fascinating. I'm grateful to him for writing a book and shedding some sensitive and impassioned light on a very explosive subject. You will be changed by having read it.