Gay America: Struggle for Equality

Gay America: Struggle for Equality. Linas Alsenas. New York: Amulet Books, 2008. 160 pages. $24.95 (Hardcover). ISBN 978-0-8109-9487-4. Grades 9-12.

My Thoughts…

This is one hell of a book, and that is my professional opinion (haha). I learned so much reading this book. The gay movement is definitely one area of history that is consistently omitted from high school history classes, which is completely unfair, especially when so many individuals identify with the struggles of the past that still exist today. Not only is this beautifully and conversationally written and geared for teens, but it can teach and enlighten any reader. My jaw kept dropping open as I read of some of the riots and blatant mistreatments that took place. As I read I kept having little thoughts, and since this is my blog, I will share them. The first one arose when I read about Emily Dickinson’s homo-erotic letters. I realized that what I learned about her in high school must have been wrong, and this new information dispelled my high school conspiracy that Emily Dickinson was actually waiting around for some ex-beau to come rescue her and wed her in her infamous white dress. Speaking of literature, a lot of what I learned about homosexual freedom and movements came from literature class…in college. One particular nugget of information that made me laugh out loud was when one army soldier said there was an all male production of Clare Booth Luce’s The Women. I can’t even imagine!  If only our teacher had talked about that performance of it when we read the play in my Sophisticated Ladies English class. We talked at length in my women writers’ class about the bisexuality and female companionship of the 20s, but that was in college! Teens should not have to wait until they happen to be in a class where there is relevant information. I knew even more about the Beats, but then again, I also learned about Ginsberg and read Howl in college.  

I was glad to be familiar with some of the information though. Well, glad may not be the right word, but I was pleased that I am not completely in the dark. One particular item that stood out to me was mentioned in reference to the frequent police raids of bars in the 1940s. Some bars (named was the Canyon Club in Los Angeles) would allow single gender couple dancing, but when they turned a red light on to signal a raid the couples must mix. This same scenario took place in a known gay bar in New York during the same time period on an episode of Cold Case. As I read on through the book I became aware of the influential homosexuals, literature, etc. that I had been taught about in school, mostly college.

I had never heard of the Council on Religion and the Homosexual prior to this book as well, but I was reminded of The God Box by Alex Sanchez in which two homosexual boys learn that is okay and possible to be homosexual and Christian. I think that this book would interest teens who found this particular aspect of the history or homosexual culture important. Now that more of ‘gay culture’ is accepted and taught and acknowledged other pieces of this history are available for young people to explore after reading this book. One such example is the film Milk about Harvey Milk. There are also biographies about him, including but not limited to, The Harvey Milk Story by Kari Krakow which is especially targeted for junior aged readers. Of course, today’s teenagers know about AIDS, but I can’t imagine that they know the beginnings. I think the section on AIDS will be eye opening and interesting to them. Of course HIV and AIDS are mentioned in LGBTQ literature since it is an area of concern. One such series where I have seen it is the Alex Sanchez Rainbow Boys. The popular musical Rent also features characters living with and dealing with the disease. In relation to specifics mentioned in the text I was reminded of another episode of Cold Case. In this episode the victim of the crime has AIDS, and this was during the era of bath houses and there was a group trying to spread awareness for this new disease, but he too was silences because some wanted to ignore it. I think this section too will bring up how gay men still cannot donate blood for fear of HIV/AIDS, despite the fact that they can be tested. As the book progresses I think teenagers too will be more aware of the issues and events discussed. Many of them, for example, may have helped start or are active in their school’s GSA or other advocacy group.

On a less informed side, I had never heard of so many things or knew that so many witch hunts went on! If I wasn’t convinced of the need for this history for teens I am now! I think teens of any sexual orientation can learn and appreciate this book for the rich, though abridged history it is.