Friends & Family : True Stories of Gay America's Straight Allies (Paperback)

by Dan Woog (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Dan Woog's inspiring and in some cases astonishing stories of heterosexual activists will banish for a few hours those images of homophobes closing in with pitchforks that television coverage of gay issues so often conjures. Most of the friendly crusaders in Friends and Family have conversion stories, moments when they were shaken from their complacency or prejudice, such as 80-year-old Frannie Peabody, who returned from her grandson's funeral in 1984 and helped found the AIDS Project of Portland, Maine. Tom Potter, the former chief of police in Portland, Oregon, announced at his swearing-in ceremony his commitment to fighting racism, sexism, and homophobia; his daughter, also a cop, had come out to him shortly before. Rabbi David Horowitz, whose daughter is a lesbian, keeps 17 gay-related pamphlets on his desk, just in case people want to talk about the issue. Described by one gay activist as "the mother of all moms," Carolyn Wagner sprang to her son's defense after he was beaten in the street, eventually suing the school he had attended and forcing policy changes. Not only have these people helped advance gay rights and visibility but their involvement with the movement has in many instances helped them as well, they argue, providing a focus--a mission--they may not otherwise have found. --Regina Marler

From Publishers Weekly
With this collection of personal interviews, Woog (Jocks: True Stories of America's Gay Male Athletes) highlights the contributions of the many devoted heterosexual activists who give their time and energy to gay rights, but who are often overlooked in the lesbian and gay community's struggle for equality and acceptance. The book features outspoken, touchingly honest stories of families and individuals, from a self-proclaimed "former redneck" whose life changed when his son died of AIDS to the 12-year-old daughter of two lesbians who testified before her state legislature during a debate over same-sex marriage, to a Mormon couple who took on their church when two of their six children came out as gay. Looking beyond these activists' impressive victories, such as reversing harassment laws or starting groups that affected numerous families in their area, the book also provides valuable insight into the culture and the prevalence of homophobia today. Most of the battles that these individuals face are with school boards or church groups, showing that disputes over gay rights are frequently fought at the local level and often involve straight people who have friends or family members who are gay. By presenting activists from different religious and cultural backgrounds, and exploring their motivation for becoming involved in gay issues, Woog uncovers not only a strong political force, but also an array of ordinary people who deserve recognition. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: Alyson Books (September 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555834914
• ISBN-13: 978-1555834913
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,111,232 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uplifting, July 12, 2000

By	Robin Orlowski "political activist" (United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

As a long time activist, I was heartened to read this book (Strongly reccomended by various literary reviews).

In high school, I was one of the few Heterosexuals who would openly agitate for GLBT equality. I really think my friends and I could have used this book as an inspirational tool.

Although I still can occasionally get discouraged with the rather slow pace of GLBT equality, this book reminded me that my friends could have lived in a much more hostile climate, and that I and my parents and straight friends are not the only ones concerned about injustice perpetuated in the name of "family values"

I was also impressed with how many of the people I knew from conversation and/or newspaper headlines. If there was any proof that GLBT issues are becomming mainstreamed into society, this was definently it. Contributors include some of the headliners in the past 10 years from safe schools, to marriage and scouting.

What prevented the book from being redundant was the fact that each of the stories were presented in (at least for me) unprecedented depth. I really got a good sense of what these people were feeling from outrage to defiance and justice.

Varying in sex, race, age and geographical background, each contributor has an important goal. Even North Carolina, home to the infamous Jesse Helms, is not imumne from diversity organizing. Simmilarly, neither is an avowedly "liberal" Texas private school when one teacher realizes even that place contains homophobia.

Knowing news outlets (including the sympatheic ones) have to use soundbites and abreviated stories because of space contraints, I really appreciated the hollistic portrayal of each of the individuals. I really got a good sense of how much they had to endure (and still do in some cases) to remind the world that it really is not us vs. them.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hope in a world of bigotry, December 12, 1999

By A Customer

At a time when equality and social justice are at a premium in Hawaii, this book gives me a much needed boost. I wish I would have thought to send a copy to each Hawaii Supreme Court Judge before they choose on the side of hatred and injustice. Being a pollyanna, I keep thinking that such narrow mindedness is just a lack of information. Thank you Dan for reminding us of hope for tomorrow.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, July 11, 2000

By	Robin Orlowski "political activist" (United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I just got done reading this book, and cannot adequately praise the depth and scope of the essays. Some of the contributors are already infamous, others are starting out, but they are connected by an unyielding spirit of equality and justice.

The seriousness of the message is lightned up by antecedotes. While this is uncessary for seasoned activists, it is a practical method to draw potential allies in. GLBT rights remains a controversial subject despite progress and the open minded majority need to break the ice and show newcomers that it is not "their" problem alone.

Although I am a seasoned activist who had already read on gay and lesbian studies, I appreciated that there was a professional anthology for people like me. This book is a direct rebuttal to the Christian Reich that support for GLBT rights is incompatable with heterosexuality.

Each of the speakers is clear headed, articulate and compassionate. Because the above traits have been used by discriminatory forces, it was refreshing to see them applied in a sensible context.