A Short Guide to a Happy Marriage: Gay Edition - by Sharon Gilchrest O'Neill (Hardcover)
Number of Pages: 61Genre: Social ScienceSub-Genre: LGBT StudiesFormat: HardcoverPublisher: Cider Mill PressAge Range: AdultBook theme: Gay StudiesAuthor: Sharon Gilchrest O'NeillLanguage: English Book Synopsis A long and happy committed relationship can be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences in life--but it doesn't always come easily. Couples can become bored, tired, frustrated, or led astray from one another. Marriage and family therapist Sharon Gilchrest O'Neill has developed a guide of inspiring and simple, yet effective suggestions, to help couples grow together and stay connected through the inevitable storms they must weather. This is a perfect gift for a wedding or commitment ceremony. Edge on the Net in their review says: All in all, A Short Guide to a Happy Marriage: Gay Edition is cute and straight to the point. After reading it, I felt like I was at the end of a counseling session and my therapist was telling my spouse and I things we could do to improve our floundering relationship. While the advice is nothing profound, she offers fun tips to bear in mind while in a committed relationship. The book is relevant for all long-term relationships even if marriage is not a possibility or desire. About the Author Sharon Gilchrest O'Neill, Ed.S., LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist who has always been obsessed with how and why relationships last. She has worked for over 30 years, both in private practice and the corporate setting, helping her clients to examine assumptions, think creatively, and build upon strengths. O'Neill holds three degrees in psychology, is a Clinical Fellow of AAMFT, and maintains a private practice in Westchester County, New York. She is often called on as an expert by a variety of print/online publications, including the New York Times, the Boston Globe, and the Wall Street Journal.
Straight Jacket - by Matthew Todd (Paperback)
Number of Pages: 400Genre: Social ScienceSub-Genre: LGBT StudiesFormat: PaperbackPublisher: Black Swan Books, LimitedAge Range: AdultBook theme: Gay StudiesAuthor: Matthew ToddLanguage: English Book Synopsis 'This is an essential read for every gay person on the planet' - Elton JohnWINNER BOYZ BEST LGBT BOOK 2017SHORTLISTED FOR THE POLARI BOOK PRIZE 2017Straight Jacket is a revolutionary clarion call for gay men, the wider LGBT community, their friends and family. Part memoir, part ground-breaking polemic, it looks beneath the shiny facade of contemporary gay culture and asks if gay people are as happy as they could be - and if not, why not? Meticulously researched, courageous and life-affirming, Straight Jacket offers invaluable practical advice on how to overcome a range of difficult issues. It also recognizes that this is a watershed moment, a piercing wake-up-call-to-arms for the gay and wider community to acknowledge the importance of supporting all young people - and helping older people to transform their experience and finally get the lives they really want. Review Quotes "Straight Jacket documents Todd's own childhood experiences, and the long-term mental health and addiction issues he has suffered; he is also using it to call for a government inquiry into the experiences of LGBT children at school." --Guardian"An essential book . . . Part sociological polemic and part self-help book, it zones in on some of the issues that disproportionately affect the gay community, from depression and anxiety to drug and alcohol addiction and body and eating disorders. I found myself both deeply upset and hugely relieved by its candour. After reading the book, tender as it is, you can't help but want to share your own experiences. Consider Straight Jacket a call to arms." --Independent"Matthew Todd dares to shine a light on the dark legacy of gay shame [and] it's not a pretty sight . . . There are some uncomfortable and downright terrifying truths to be confronted in Todd's brilliant, essential new book. It's difficult to underestimate the importance of Straight Jacket. If you are struggling and want help and don't know where to look, this book is a great place to start. But even if you're not, [it]is by far one of the most important books you'll read this year." --Gay Community News Ireland"Matthew Todd thought he had long since dealt with the demons surrounding his sexuality. In [his] new book, he reveals the crisis of shame facing the gay community--and how to solve it." --Observer"This is an essential read for every gay person on the planet." --Elton John About the Author Matthew Todd is the editor of the UK's bestselling gay magazine, Attitude. In 2011 he was named Men's Magazine Editor of the Year by the British Society of Magazine Editors and Stonewall Journalist of the Year. He has written for national newspapers, including the Guardian, Observer, Telegraph and Sun. He appears regularly on tv and radio and is a regular seaker at conferences and events, including the Terrence Higgins Trust HIV Prevention CHAPS conference. He lives in London.
Reclaiming Your Life - by Rik Isensee (Paperback)
Number of Pages: 270Genre: Social ScienceSub-Genre: LGBT StudiesFormat: PaperbackPublisher: Rik IsenseeAge Range: AdultBook theme: Gay StudiesAuthor: Rik IsenseeLanguage: English Book Synopsis Reclaiming Your Life is a guide to healing from early abuse, homophobia, addictions, and other self-defeating behavior. Part I looks at how growing up gay in a homophobic culture is similar in many ways to growing up in a dysfunctional or abusive family, because of the secrecy, self-blame, and shame that often accompany the realization that we're somehow different, but without much support for understanding what it means to feel attracted to the same sex. In addition, experiences of early physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can sometimes lead to the development of a "false self," the internalization of negative messages, or the development of self-destructive behavior. Part II shows how gay men can recover from early abuse, internalized homophobia, and self-defeating behavior, such as alcohol and drug abuse, sexual compulsion, body image, and problems with food or debt. It offers chapters on how to counter internalized homophobic and other negative messages, expand the moment between impulse and action, and work through the feelings that are likely to arise when we stop using self-defeating behaviors to push our emotions away. ""No matter what kind of family you grew up in, you will find yourself in this book. All of our families are dysfunctional to some degree, and as gay men, we have to overcome our own homophobia and resulting shame. Rik Isensee writes in a style that is so readable and relevant, every gay/bi man can take something with him."" -Jeffrey Chernin, Ph.D. ""Members of a dysfunctional family interact abusively, and when the family is homophobic a gay member will likely be doubly abused. In the first half of this guide, Isensee capably outlines all aspects of growing up gay in a dysfunctional family. He includes homophobia, sexual abuse, stress, self- blame, shame, and self-destructive behavior. In the second half, he relates the ways a gay child can overcome the many hindrances to gaining self-respect through grieving, nurturing, and supporting. He ends with suggestions on how to react to homophobia and create a life without the guilt that a heterosexual society induces. Although the topic may seem a bit clinical, Isensee's book is easy to read and even gay adolescents will want to consult it."" -H. Robert Malinowsky, Univ. of Illinois at Chicago, Library Journal ""Rik Isensee strikes a long-forgotten chord with his self-help book, Reclaiming Your Life, which gives strong psychological advice to gay men who have been through just about every situation imaginable. There are scenarios presented that will ring true for some readers, and Isensee offers his unique and insightful advice on each of them, giving the reader options to overcome overbearing feelings and/or situations that would cause others to commit drastic actions. This is an excellent book in the field of self-help, and once finished, provides an uplifting light at the end of the tunnel."" -Illinois HIV Prevention, Region 6 Booklist
The Unofficial Gay Manual - by Kevin DiLallo (Paperback)
Number of Pages: 240Genre: Social ScienceSub-Genre: LGBT StudiesFormat: PaperbackPublisher: Main Street BooksAge Range: AdultBook theme: Gay StudiesAuthor: Kevin DiLalloLanguage: English About the Book The Official Preppy Handbook for the gay male animal, this fresh, funny, hip and thoroughly engaging book tells what it means (and takes) to be a gay man in America today. With essays, tests, lists, and charts, the Manual includes items like "10 Things Not to Say When Telling Your Mother" and a going out guide to major cities. Photos and drawings. Book Synopsis Profusely illustrated with drawings, The Unofficial Gay Manual is hip enough to titillate the most jaded urbanite, and wholesome enough to take home to Mom -- an absolute must-have for gay men, their families and friends, and a hilarious eye-opener for just about everyone else. With essays, multiple-choice and true-false tests, lists, sidebars, and charts, the manual explains it all for you with items like: - Gaydar - How to Avoid Killing Your Lover's Mother- United We Stand (Gay Types by City)- Going out Guide to Major Cities- 10 Things to Consider When Planning a Gay Wedding . . . and dozens more that are as informative and enlightening as they are laugh-out-loud funny. From the Back Cover As the twentieth century draws to a close, it appears that it's at long last okay - even cool - to be gay. Kevin DiLallo and Jack Krumholtz say it's about time. Just at this historical turning point comes The Unofficial Gay Manual, a wild and witty guide to the tribal customs of the red-blooded American gay male. With essays, multiple-choice and true-false tests, lists, sidebars, and charts, the Manual explains it all for you with items that are as informative and enlightening as they are laugh-out-loud funny. Profusely illustrated with photos and drawings, The Unofficial Gay Manual is hip enough to titillate the most jaded urbanite, and wholesome enough to take home to Mom - an absolute must-have for gay men, their families and friends, and a hilarious eye-opener for just about everyone else.
