Straight from Your Gay Best Friend: The Straight-Up Truth About Relationships, Work, and Having a Fabulous Life [Paperback]

Terrance Dean (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2010

In today’s society, every woman needs a gay best friend—someone who gives it to her straight about life, clothes, sex, and relationships. For example, on the hit TV show, “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” the breakout star, NeNe, has introduced the world to her gay best friend, Dwight Eubanks. On “Sex In The City,” Carrie Bradshaw often turned to her gay best friend, Stanford, and “Will and Grace” was all about the relationship between a woman and her gay best friend. The gay best friend—smart, sympathetic, and straight-talking—is the new must-have; no woman wants to be without one.

Enter Terrance Dean, who offers direct and to-the-point insights on some of life’s most challenging issues—family, friends, career, love, sex, and intimate relationships of all kinds—mixed with a little sass, wit, humor, forwardness, and spirituality, as only a gay man can do. He speaks candidly to women about healing their souls of past hurts in order to tap into their fabulousness.

This book will help women discover the strength they need for a life of loving relationships and abundant success. And it’s all done from a place of love, coming from their gay best friend.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Terrance Dean offers more than a voice in the wilderness. He is a light unto the world!"
Iyanla Vanzant

About the Author

Terrance Dean is the author of Reclaim Your Power! (Villard, 2003) the Essence bestseller Hiding In Hip Hop (Atria, 2008) and a co-author of Visible Lives (Kensington, 2010). A 2005 John Seigenthaler Journalism Fellow from Vanderbilt University, he also contributed to the anthologies Souls of My Brothers and Always Too Soon. He has written for Essence, VIBE, The New York Sun, and The Advocate, among other publications. He lives in Los Angeles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Agate Bolden (October 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932841563
• ISBN-13: 978-1932841565
• Product Dimensions: 0.5 x 5.9 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #385,284 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Speaker, Educator, Author, and Hip Hop Head Terrance Dean is the author of the explosive and provocative memoir, Hiding In Hip Hop'On the Down Low in the Entertainment Industry from Music to Hollywood (Simon & Schuster/Atria Books June 2008).

Dean has worked in the entertainment industry for over 10 years with heavy hitters such as Spike Lee, Rob Reiner, Keenan Ivory Wayans, and Anjelica Houston. He has worked with television and film production companies; MTV Networks, B.E.T., Savoy Television, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Sony Pictures.

Dean is the founder/creator of Men's Empowerment, Inc. and co-creator of The Gathering of Men with Adeyemi Bandele. Adeyemi is the husband and spiritual partner of acclaimed teacher and best-selling author Iyanla Vanzant. Dean is the author of the best-selling book for men of color, 'Reclaim Your Power! A 30-Day Guide to Hope, Healing and Inspiration for Men of Color,' (Random House/Villard May 2003).

Deans' New York based organization, Men's Empowerment, has been in existence for over five years and has over 300 men of color from various backgrounds involved with the organization.

Men's Empowerment is an organization that is dedicated to the transformation of men of color in their communities for their own self-empowerment. The not-for-profit organization is a hugely popular empowerment group, which allows men of color to communicate, share and participate in an environment where brothers can 'check their egos at the door' and create bonding relationships with one another. The brothers share experiences in their lives, which helps build a foundation of support for men to freely be in a room exchanging information to make powerful transformations in their lives. Some of the featured guest speakers have included, Emil Wilbekin, former Editor-in-Chief, VIBE Magazine; Kevin Powell, Author and Activist; Stacy Spikes, CEO Urbanworld Film Group; Gordon Chambers, Grammy Award Song Writer; Omar Tyree, Author; and Kevin Lyles, Chairman of Warner Music Group.

Dean's first best-selling book, 'Reclaim Your Power!' assists men with daily reminders of meaningful spiritual meditations that can be practiced anywhere and at anytime. This book provides simple reminders of being still and listening to your inner voice, remembering to breathe and having faith in the midst of the storm. This powerful compact book also provides worksheets, which allows the reader to become interactive with the process of nurturing their spirit. This book definitely leaves the reader feeling empowered!

Dean is a 2005 John Seigenthaler Journalism Fellow from Vanderbilt University. He is a contributing writer to the anthologies, 'Souls of My Brothers' and 'Always Too Soon.' He has also appeared across the country on popular syndicated radio shows and has made television appearances on NBC 10 Philadelphia, WB 11 New York, and FOX 2 in Detroit. Dean has written for The New York Sun, The Tennessean, Fatherhood Today, The Michigan Chronicle's Front Page, Flirtingtime.com and Blackmeninamerica.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 'Look me 'straight' in the eye for the truth December 24, 2010

By Grady Harp HALL OF FAMETOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Terrance Dean is a very fine writer who has decided to step out of his role as a creative artist for this venture into the role of a counselor. The result is a book that speaks primarily to women who are 'victimized' by male behavior of all types. Dean offers some very sound advice about relationships, approaches to the career/job, family issues, love, fashion - name a topic and Dean covers it. The gimmick here is that Dean, a very well established African American gay writer, gives the message to women that in order to completely understand MEN, every woman should seek out a gay male friend who has no secondary agenda in giving advice except as a benefit to the advisee.

Dean goes about this process of discussing women's problems with men etc with a great sense of humor, and yet underneath the hilarious repartee is a man wise enough to lead discussion of problems with great understanding, empathy and 'straight talk'. How many female friends will be honest in critiquing the clothes their friends choose? How many straight men will give the honest answers to questions raised by their behavior? In other words, Terrance Dean postulates that the only avenue of secure advice about things sensitive to women will come from a gay best friend. He gives several scenarios of predicaments that may arise or simply occasions all women face in their daily lives and then works through the various approaches and choices possible, pointing out just how to listen and how process and how to ultimately react to assure the best of all possible solutions.

This very readable book is part humor, part psychology, and part about the quality of friendship and trust. The man has some very valid points to make, thoughts that are bound to find a home with every reader of the book. Terrance Dean IS your best gay friend here! Grady Harp, December 10

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Girl, You Are Doing Too Much December 8, 2010

By Teresa Beasley

Format:Paperback

I have never laughed so hard while reading a book. I do believe that every woman needs a gay best friend. Straight From Your Gay Best Friend by Terrence Dean is a guidebook for teaching women all they need to know about relationships, careers, and being fabulous. This 19 chapter book has everything a woman needs to know about letting out the diva inside. It also lets women know how to properly guard their hearts and be selective of the company they choose to keep.

The author informs readers on the do's and the don'ts of dressing, having and keeping a man, career choices, and friendships. It also informs readers on what it means to take time for you. This fulfilling book is just what every woman, who has ever doubted herself needs to get back on track.

Straight From Your Gay Best Friend was an engaging book of information, resources, and pure fun facts. The author does a wonderful job explaining issues, problems, and solutions throughout the book. The author also provides cases that will help readers understand the message the book is providing. I enjoyed the worksheets and scenarios, which provided examples of what to look for when approaching relationships. After reading this book, I will definitely get me a gay best friend so that I can stay in the know how. I definitely recommend this book to others.

This book was provided by the publisher for review purposes.
Teresa Beasley
APOOO BookClub

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Voice of Reason March 10, 2011

By The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Format:Kindle Edition

Do you want the most out of life? Are you or do you know someone looking for a reality check? Terrence Dean delivers an insightful piece of work that would make you want to stop and examine what is going on in your life and force you to make a change. STRAIGHT FROM YOUR GAY BEST FRIEND: The Straight-Up Truth About Relationships, Work, and Having a Fabulous Life is a complete girlfriend guide for all women.

Dean discusses topics ranging from getting yourself together to recognizing most of the signs of a good/bad relationship. After this emotional read, you will indeed be on your way to finding solutions to the most common problems in life that are keeping you from fulfilling endless possibilities. The bottom line is, Terrance reminds you that you come first. He is straight forward, sympathetic, and encouraging in this literary work. After reading this, Dean becomes the voice of reason in your mind when you go through complex situations. Even though the advice he delivers we have heard before, he further helps you to discover the strength inside you never knew you had.

Reviewed by Sheila R. Hudson
for The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers