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Jeremy Hooper

If It's A Choice, My Zygote Chose Balls: Making Sense of Senseless Controversy Paperback – May 29, 2012

by Jeremy Hooper (Author)

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Jeremy Hooper's Good As You website (www.GoodAsYou.org) is known for blending passion and wit, making the case for LGBT equality worldwide. In If It’s a Choice, My Zygote Chose Balls: Making Sense of Senseless Controversy, Jeremy continues that style, blending a unique mix of memoir and social commentary that argues for equal rights based on relatable human principles.

Hooper leads readers through his own life story, revealing the positive and unnecessarily encumbered aspects of growing up gay in contemporary society. The noted author and activist writes in a sometimes humorous, sometimes serious, but always sharply informed style, opening a window into the realities of family rejection and acceptance. Whether offering direct guidance for would-be straight allies or sharing the inner monologue of a boy who knew who he was long before early adulthood would allow him to own it, Hooper provides a wealth of insight and argument to push the equality conversation forward.

“From constant talk about marriage to the popular parlor game ‘Which celebrity is gay?’ our world is, in many ways, obsessed with LGBT topics,” says Hooper. “However, there is serious neglect in terms of actually tackling the issues at hand. I want to address the weighty topics head on, but in a relatable way.”

As someone who spends ten to twelve daily hours slogging through the "culture war" for his celebrated website, Jeremy Hooper knows better than anyone how far the LGBT community still has to go in order to obtain full equality. At the same time, his focused lens had led him to believe that some of the usual LGBT activism has isolated the fight and stories, leaving much of the continued struggle to go unrealized by the population at large. So Hooper's answer is to present relatable tales that are just as proactive in changing hearts and minds as any textbook gay rights treatment, but doing so in a package that pops with universal heart and wit. Hooper calls out the B.S. for what it is, while keeping an equal focus on uniting folks from all walks of life for the common causes of peace, equality, acceptance, and, ironically enough–family values. All of this while remembering to keep his tongue in or around the cheek region.

Written to engage and entertain, as well as inspire further discussion and action, the book is aimed at a wide range of readers interested and open to learning.

Print length

238 pages
Language

English
Publication date

May 29, 2012
Dimensions

6 x 0.6 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

0615574548
ISBN-13

978-0615574547
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Since founding Good As You (www.GoodAsYou.org) in 2005, Jeremy Hooper has garnered a reputation as a fresh voice in the worlds of Internet publishing and activism. With a background geared both towards entertainment and advocacy, he approaches LGBT issues with a showman’s spirit, pointing out perceived wrongdoings and follies with the clever exuberance of a seasoned jester. Both Hooper and his website have been profiled in the gay and lesbian newsmagazine The Advocate, featured on the PBS program In the Life, on the Logo network, on Sirius radio, and across every corner of the web. As a sought-after consultant, strategist, and speaker, he has worked with leading national organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD. Originally from Nashville, TN, the author now lives on the West Side of Manhattan with his husband, Andrew, and the couple’s unbelievably adorable dog, Bosley.

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Good As You; 1st edition (May 29, 2012)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 238 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0615574548
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0615574547
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.6 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.6 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #6,204,219 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #11,069 in LGBTQ+ Demographic Studies
- #508,867 in Biographies

Customer Reviews:
58 ratings

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Linda Fausnet

A Call for Acceptance Done with Humor and Intelligence

Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2013

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If It's Choice, My Zygote Chose Balls - Making Sense of Senseless Controversy is an excellent book. Unfortunately, it's one of those books that the people who really need to read it probably won't. Still, it highlights all the reasons that laws prohibiting LGBT people from enjoying basic freedoms are beyond ridiculous. Jeremy Hooper draws the reader into his personal experiences from realizing he was gay to dealing with his family's lack of acceptance to finding a loving home and a place of peace with his husband, Andrew.

Jeremy has a wonderful attitude in that he doesn't condemn the people who condemn him. Rather, he focuses on their hateful actions and does his best to approach anti-gay people with a sense of good humor combined with steadfast determination to change the world. He refers to the anti-gay crowd as 'Mo foes. He also quite often groups straight allies and LGBT people together, which I absolutely loved. I won't ever know what it's like to be gay, but I've had my share of uncomfortable conversations when standing up for my beliefs. I do put myself out there sometimes when defending the rights of my LGBT brothers and sisters, and it's nice to be appreciated. In his own words - "It's noble to care about a cause that directly affects your day-to-day life, but it's uniquely honorable to realize that any biases against any group of people affect us all as a human collective."

Jeremy highlights the importance of straight allies and is always looking for more. So yeah, gays DO recruit others sometimes. They're recruiting people who believe in equal rights. The author also makes an important point that may people are becoming a bit complacent about the whole issue. Sure, things are MUCH better on the equality fight, but things are far from over. Marriage equality is still a reality in a precious few states. There are places where you can still get fired for being gay, for God's sake! It's easy to get caught up in a "bubble" as he puts it. It's so easy to forget how much further we still have to go, both with social acceptance and legal equality.

I really applaud Jeremy's approach to seeking equality. Fighting hate with hate never works. His approach is essentially to combine determination and good humor to help change people's minds and hearts. He makes good arguments for equality and exposes the fallacies of the 'Mo foes. He also shows how hateful and cruel the opposition can truly be, particularly when their hate is done in the name of God. He exposes the opposition's use of fear and misinformation to spread lies about people whose only goal is to be permitted to live and love as equal human beings.

"Our driving passion is upwardly mobile. Theirs is regressive. We are standing on a hill, trying to pull everyone up so that we can finally know our collective strength.

Well said.

2 people found this helpful

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Brian G

An excellent and honest story about hope, love, and common sense

Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2012

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I cannot remember exactly how or when I first came across Jeremy Hooper's blog Good As You; perhaps through a link from the Advocate or Human Rights Campaign or just the trusty old Google. What I can tell you is that it is a rare day that I don't visit his site at least once to read up on the latest slings and arrows that have been tossed in this current culture war. Jeremy's writing coupled with his investigative skills have provided a unique, reasoned and calming voice in the battle for full equality.

But who is this young man who has taken on the anti-gay pundits, whom he refers to as `mo foes, with both wit and reason? In his book, If It's A Choice, Jeremy openly and honestly tells his story. I, who am only 5 years his senior, found that his coming out process was very similar to my own. The awareness, the implications, the fear of discovery, the hiding; these were all what Jeremy, myself, and indeed hundreds of LGBT youth went through and are currently going through. While the steps might be different for some, and not always as humorous, what comes through to the reader is that this is an honest story and it could very easily be your story too.

Through the clever use of chapters taken as an aside to the main story, the "Despite what you may have heard" sections are Jeremy's clever way of confronting LGBT stereotypes with his caustic wit, humor and open honesty. After all, when it comes to the stereotypes who are you going to believe, the anti-gay fear mongers or those of us who are actually LGBT?

Several years ago, I was talking with my Dad about some comments made by the Church in response to marriage equality and homosexuality; I was furious at the hypocrisy in light of the scandal the Church was involved in. "Who were they," I argued, "to make such comments about sin and immoral behavior when all this had been going on for years!" My Dad's response was simply "You know, in my day, these discussions wouldn't have even been possible. Think about how far things have come in such a short amount of time." As with most things, my Dad was right. The discussions and progress made in the fight for full equality have been, not in small steps, but in leaps and bounds thanks to people like Jeremy Hooper standing at the forefront showing everyone that we are all as Good As You.

16 people found this helpful

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cabobobbo

a fun, important read for everyone

Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2012

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this is such a nicely compiled series of short, timely and historical pieces, all thoughtful, from a fresh, strong, insightful new voice, jeremy hooper. some are about his own young life and "coming out"; some are political and opinion; some are just plain funny. i had to stop reading several times because i didn't want the book to end. hooper is generous in opening his life and relationship to us, and as i, too, am a legally married gay male (stowe, vermont, september '09), it was a bit disarming and wonderful to realize how similar our stories were, even though our age difference is significant. so little is written about this... it was gratifying to read. there's really something, and perhaps a lot, for everyone in this book, particularly in how hooper describes how we might manage our collective future, and gain the civil rights we are currently denied. i recommend this book to everyone.

One person found this helpful

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Trock

Great book-just like chatting to a friend!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 19, 2013

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I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I bought this book, as I had never heard of Jeremy-but it sounded interesting so I thought I would give it a go. I am so glad I did-it was exactly like having a conversation with an incredibly interesting and well-informed friend (albeit one who loves to go off at a tangent and goes from A-B by way of C,D,E,F and of course G!) I finished the book in a day and then proceeded to email the author to fill in my half of the conversation!
This book was a wonderful mix of autobiography and activism, pathos and humour. The tales of a young Jeremy growing up and realising that he liked boys were equally funny (his tale of himself mentally and physically performing acrobatics in order to catch a tantalising glimpse of testicles had me roaring with laughter!) and tragic.The very real angst of the 16 year old Jeremy over how to behave in order to read the "gay edition"of "Entertainment Weekly" without attracting attention from his family as to his sexuality struck me as so very sad that home and family, which should be a place of refuge and safety and acceptance is in actuality the opposite for so many GLBTQ teens. As a parent there were many points which I have mentally filed on the "what not to do list".
I thought the author struck a very good balance between sharing his personal story and highlighting issues and problems which affect the wider community. From the book I have found my way to his blog and will look forward to hearing more! Thoroughly recommend.

2 people found this helpful

Ken Kaczmarski

Excellent Read

Reviewed in Canada on March 8, 2013

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This book was an amazing read that captivated me from beginning till end. The poignant personal stories mixed in with the advocacy made both the author and his advocacy points very powerful and compelling to read. I find his calm demeanour, and his humourous attitude and writing style offer a much needed and refreshing change of pace from the rhetoric of too many other advocates (of both sides sometimes) who often get hard to listen to.

I finsihed the book within a week of receiving it and I have read it a second time (again finishing within a week). I am also sure that in the future when I am looking for a booster shot of inspiration I may find myself reading it again as Jeremy's life helps us see that we can find and celebrate true love in our own lives, whether that love is conventional or not.

Mark Twain

boring dragging story

Reviewed in Canada on July 18, 2013

Verified Purchase

Of course you can read the raving reviews written by copywriters of the publisher about this book but here is an honest one:

This is 2013 and homosexuality has been accepted ten years ago. And yet we find another book about how a book finds his true nature and how he -so many years later- fights the demons of the past. Long sentences that are probably appreciated by the writer himself and probably his mother made me regret spending any money on it. We know the message of the gay community by now, perhaps it's time for the gays to accept that no one really cares anymore. This story can be found in thousands of books across the globe and it's old. And boring.

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