James C. Hormel (1933–2021)

It was fantastic. It was very well-written which surprised me. I'll admit that although I've known I was gay for a very long time, I've only been out for 12 years. And I never found an interest in the history of the queers (and yes, I do like that word!). Since becoming a parent, the civil rights that straight people have seem more and more important. Of course, the most important is marriage recognition. Along with those feelings have come a growing interest in gay history. This was a wonderful book that gave a very concise and succinct snapshot into what life was like for gays throughout the second half of the 20th Century. While we have come a long way in that time, there is still a long way to go.

The book did not become political until the very last chapter and that chapter made me cry. He talks about one couple from San Francisco who had been together for 55 years (!), finally were officially married in 2008, and then one of them died within months after the marriage. Not only that, but the same year that Obama (who has become an advocate for same-sex marriage), the voters of California (helped along with $20 million from the Marmots (er. . . Mormons)) voted against allowing gays the same civil rights as straights - marriage. Perhaps one of the best slogans that Hormel saw during the "No on 8" fight was, "When do I get to vote on your marriage?"

Hormel's writing just spoke my mind in such an elegant way. It was a relatively short book, under 300 pages and I would highly recommend it. Hormel is able to use his private struggle to illuminate the broader issues, from social acceptance to AIDs. I think I will be writing him a letter to express my feelings.… (mehr)