I've recently gotten hold of this wonderful book for a research I'm doing on a semi-related subject and have come to realize that I couldn't have found a better source of analysis and information than this jewel written by Mr. David W. Foster. Not only is it an insight review of different books through the history of latin american writing, but it's also a remarkable effort in trying to look deeply into the always controversial subject of homosexuality in a culture where it has been allowed little space, both in terms of social recognition/acceptance/attention and of literary production. A book that will leave you thinking, will instruct you on the subject and -all at the same time- will suck you down 'til you finish it. Not throughly easy to read, since Mr. Foster's wording is very appropiately complicated, but it NEVER borders on rhetorical ramblings. Get this!

As we head into the new millennium the gay community is plagued with problems of alcoholism and drug abuse, it seems that as we have jettisoned the religions that oppressed us we replaced them with consumerism and nihilism. It is a sad reflection that so many of us are seeking something deeper but cannot easily find it. The monotheistic religions of the West have, at times, tried to accommodate gay and lesbian practitioners by becoming more "liberal", yet these attempts are, in my mind, patchy at best. Fundamentalism is still going strong. There are many Gay Christian organizations working hard to help those so inclined, yet so often, Biblical exegesis seems aimed at making excuses for the intolerance of the Bible and there is still a great ambiguity when it comes to pleasure and the human body. At times it seems that the western religions view of acceptance is homosexuals becoming like heterosexuals.

In the Dharmic religions, specifically Hinduism and Buddhism, there has been a long tradition of sexual tolerance. While certainly there has been inroads into these faiths by Puritanism, especially under the British in India, the core traditions remain very sex friendly. This is especially true of the Tantric traditions and those related to Shiva and Shakti. (Shaivism and Shaktism). It is also true that Vedanta and related schools and many branches of Buddhism have a more open approach.

At the same time there is little in print for the seeker wanting a Gay spiritual life. While the works of Alain Danielou, a great Shaivite, musician and scholar, who also happened to be gay, offers more theoretical information on sex positive aspects of Hinduism, there is little practical advise.

Gay Tantra is a unique book. It is not a text of training in "sexual prowess" as so often the term Tantra is misused today. It is a guide to a practical spiritual life for the modern gay man. It avoids the new ageism and superficiality of many modern gay spiritual books and expounds an extremely erudite view of traditional Tantra. What is so powerful is that this traditional approach is coupled with a praxis for the modern gay man. The author clearly has had a lifetime of experience in Tantra, Vedanta and the gay community and is able to offer his distilled wisdom for the benefit of the reader.

Gay Tantra is intelligent, articulate and erudite. It shows a deep understanding of the core of the mystical traditions of the east and especially those of Tantrism. At the same time it brings with it the experience of a gay male who has worked through the pain of internalized homophobia and the baggage that so many of us must carry. Together these two elements make this one of the most important books on Gay spirituality ever published.

As someone who has studied the Tantric traditions, especially Shaivism, for some years. It is a great privilege to find such an author, someone who understands the true nature of the tradition, has a good intelligent grasp of the heritage which he is transmitting and yet also appreciates the unique situation that the modern gay male is in. Schindler is hence able to offer us the voice of an experienced soul who is proud of his sexuality and his body. Gay Tantra is a profoundly practical book that gives us the keys to applying this age-old tradition in the modern world. It is surprisingly comprehensive, extremely well written, insightful and practical. There is an excellent section of exercises and lots of superb advise.

For those seeking to appreciate Gay love as a spiritual path this is a profound and moving work.

From experts to beginners, Bill Turner provides the key to knowing how queer theory began and evolved. This historian and queer theorist maps the various themes and directions the major writers took while founding his book on the essential thoughts of Michel Foucault. This book helps keep my studies on track. I would help a novice gain a perceptive overview.

One of the best books available. It is now out in Spanish as NO MAS HOMOSEXUAL

Homosexuality: Opposing Viewpoints contains excellent in-depth explanations of the varying opinions about homosexuality. This book is very helpful in aiding understanding of a viewpoint which may not be similar to your own. It allows for respect of another's "opposing viewpoint" about homosexuality, and should be read by anyone who has an opinion about sexual orientation.

Esther Newton is an extremely gifted thinker and writer. She points up important issues for gender studies in a clear and compelling, and still quite groundbreaking, style. This book works very diligently and successfully at several levels: as a historical narrative of the trajectory of Newton's life and career; as a theoretical discourse which is situated specifically by her historical narrative; as a critique of and a profound contribution to her profession, anthropology; as a powerful argument for the inevitable relationship between theory and history; as a courageous and provocative piece of scholarship.

Many of these essays were written early in the second wave of feminism, so the issues they engage point up the degree to which Newton has been ahead of her time. That she narrativizes the essays as the historical life of an academic (herself) attests to the fact that she is still ahead of her time: everything-- political, academic, social, sexual--is lived. There are no categories which happen outside of the people who make them.

Because of Newton's autobiographical, comfortable style, it should be noted that the book, although clearly academic, is a fairly easy read.

This book says it all for those who are in the process of "coming out". Stop asking for more opinions from your closest gay friends (friends who are either already out or yet to come out) or your understanding girlfriends. Just read this book.

The books tells you all that you need to know and need to do to "come out". I wouldn't have given it a five-star rating if I was not totally impressed. The writing style is wonderful and the approaches are just unbelievably easy and comforting.

Often it is hard to even think about telling your mom and dad because of this feeling of fear that either "they'll die or they'll kill me"...I am not spoiling the fun for you so I am not going to tell you the content of this book. The title of this book should give you a clear idea of what the content is.

However, what I can tell you is that this book will definitely tell you how to give yourself permission to act on the feelings you have been hiding and keeping safely inside (about coming out and not think that your mom and dad will die or they will kill you).

You will be able to find a natural and spontaneous expression of your deepest, most intimate feelings after reading this book.

This book cracks you open from pressure of coming out. So, what are you waiting for, go get it now.

Out In the Field, is an incredible resource for those interested in exploring ethnographic writing, anthropology, lesbian and gay studies, and gender studies. In this volume, different anthropologists speak about their experiences studying different cultures from a lesbian or gay persepctive. In the field of anthropology, it is challenging for lesbians and gays to decide when exposing their sexuality is important and when it could harm the acceptance of their work. Editors Ellen Lewin and Willian Leap have collected a body of works which are sensitive to the overriding concerns of lesbian and gay anthropologists and enthnographers. Most notably, these authors call out for more lesbians and gays to enter the field of anthropology because each believes there is a serious lack of information about homosexual cultures and becasue homosexual perspectives often inform studies in important new ways. Many of the authors of this book discuss their previous work documented in longer enthnographies. This volume gives a fabulous overview of the work of lesbian and gay ethnographers, and will entice you to read more of these authors' works.

It's amazing that it's taken this many years for someone to actually consider about Burroughs as a gay writer. All those Wild Boys are finally talked about as gay heroes in this excellent book. Jamie Russell made me return to the novels with new eyes. Of course Naked Lunch is about power and sex, of course the Wild Boys want to create a world without women. . . This book is a must-read for all Burroughs fans. Absolutely fantastic!!

Carney's "The Real Thing" is a short but effective look at the mindset of a (rather fanatical) gay leatherman in the 1970s (roughly). The entire book is composed of letters from an unnamed leatherman to his nephew, who has demonstrated an interest in the leather lifestyle. The nephew's letters are never shown, but are described by reference and inference. The writing style of the letters is highly formal, but that fits the character who is the author of them. This book is actually a mystery novel of sorts, and has a great twist ending.

"The Real Thing" is a classic of leather literature, and should prove fascinating to most leather/BDSM/S&M/D&S/etc. practitioners. It's far more interesting than the more-popular "Murder at Roissy." "The Real Thing" and "Mr. Benson" are two leather classics that should be required reading for all people in the lifestyle.