...And Then I Became Gay: Young Men's Stories [Hardcover]

Ritch C. Savin-Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 10, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0415916763 | ISBN-13: 978-0415916769 | Edition: 1

"...And Then I Became Gay is about the lives of young men who express the complications, adversities, and satisfactions of being a sexual outsider in North America during the 1980s and 1990s. Consisting of narratives which chronicle developmental progression from first memories of being attracted to other males to a subsequent integration of their sexual identity with a personal identity, this book is also unique in its cross-section of men from different ethnic backgrounds. Although each story in this volume has a personal meaning to the individual youth disclosing it, aspects of these narratives can express a normative experience growing up gay or bisexual during the past two decades. For many of the contributors and readers, these stories may prove to be not only ones of coming out, but coming of age.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This thoughtful, well-researched study provides a fresh perspective on the formative years of contemporary gay and bisexual males in our society. Savin-Williams (clinical psychology, Cornell Univ.) postulates that although their experiences have some distinct similarities, they are complemented by "differential developmental trajectories." This individuation is illuminated by the "young men's stories," drawn from interviews with 180 men aged 14 to 25 years, which enrich the text. These graphic and poignant reminiscences recount such developmental milestones as awareness and acceptance of a gay or bisexual identity, initial sexual experiences (both homo- and heterosexual), and the coming-out process, as well as delving into issues faced by youths who are both cultural and sexual minorities. Although the book is essentially a scholarly treatise, the sensitive treatment and personal narratives will appeal to well-informed lay readers. Recommended for academic and special collections in gay studies, human sexuality, and psychology and optional for larger public libraries.?Richard Violette, Social Law Lib., Boston
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Review

He demolishes the existing stereotypes of gay male development and replaces these stereotypes with real life stories.
–The Ottawa Citizen

It is fascinating to read the personal narratives of gay and bisexual youth in this thoughtful, spirited, stimulating study of their lives and development.
–Richard A. Isay, M.D., author of Being Homosexual and Being Gay

It is through stories, our own and others, that we organize and give meaning to our lives and reveal the richness and diversity of human experience. It is also the best way of breaking through the crust of sexual and gender stereotypes. Professor Savin-Williams has provided the invaluable opportunity for the reader to hear the stories of gay and bisexual youth and, in doing so, he has dispelled popular myths about childhood sexual 'innocence' (as if no experience is better than some) and that pre-adult sex can only be abusive and traumatic. In letting gay youth speak for itself he has opened the way for all youth of all sexual persuasions, to reclaim and give meaning to their own sexuality.
–John P. De Cecco, Center For Research & Education in Sexuality

Recommended for academic and special collections in gay studies, human sexuality, and psychology.
–Library Journal

This thoughtful, well-researched study provides a fresh perspective on the formative years of contemporary gay and bisexual males in our society. . . . Although the book is essentially a scholarly treatise, the sensitive treatment and personal narratives will appeal to well-informed lay readers. Recommended for academic and special collections in gay studies, human sexuality, and psychology.
–Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (December 10, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415916763
• ISBN-13: 978-0415916769
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,744,682 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good and informative book, January 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: '...And Then I Became Gay': Young Men's Stories (Paperback)

This is a good book that should teach you a lot about the development and experiences of gay and bisexual young men, from childhood to young adulthood. The author interviewed a number gay and bisexual young men and throughout the text he includes exerpts from his interviews, which add more 'proof' and 'reality' to the text itself. The only bad thing might be that his sample was pretty limited - mostly college students at Cornell University. It's more of a textbook than anything else, but it still makes a very interesting read.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great, June 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: '...And Then I Became Gay': Young Men's Stories (Paperback)

This is probably the best book on gay issues I have ever read! I do not buy those kind of books very often, but this was definitely worth the money.

1 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars became gay? a review of the title, not the book., January 8, 2006

By 

SLEX "SEAN" (ny,ny) - See all my reviews

This review is from: '...And Then I Became Gay': Young Men's Stories (Paperback)

what's up with the title of this book? is the author first and foremost trying imply that people become homosexual rather than realize that they are homosexual? i spent to many years wishing i were not gay(those days are gladly over), so maybe that is why i found fault with this title. but if i hear some dumbass tell me that i chose, or became gay, as if by some thought-out, conscious decision, flames are gonna start shooting out of my big gay head.