New Joy Of Gay Sex

by Charles Silverstein, Felice Picano

Here is the long-awaited revision of the classic The Joy of Gay Sex, one of the touchstones of emerging gay consciousness. Since its original publication, not only has homosexuality gradually become assimilated into American society, but the gay community has undergone a great transformation as a result of the AIDS epidemic. These changes are reflected in The New Joy of Gay Sex, an essential reference book for every gay man.Dr. Charles Silverstein, a noted psychologist who has worked with gay men for more than two decades and coauthor of The Joy of Gay Sex, has collaborated with critically acclaimed novelist Felice Picano on this revised edition. Invaluable as a resource, in building self-esteem, and as a coming-out guide for young gay men, The New Joy of Gay Sex updates all the entries of its predecessor and includes many new ones. The book has three to educate gay men about safe sex and save lives by showing the varieties of sexual behavior still available; to address the many emotional and relationship-oriented issues that arise in gay life, such as long-term couples, one-night stands, loneliness, and growing older; and to serve as a general home reference on a number of diverse topics, from living wills to a short history of condoms.With eight color paintings and fifty line drawings by noted illustrators Deni Ponty and Ron Fowler, The New Joy of Gay Sex is a necessary addition to every gay man's bookshelf.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sexuality, Banned Books, Gay, LGBT, Reference

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Charles Silverstein (born 1935) is an American writer, therapist, and gay activist.

Silverstein is a frequent lecturer at conventions on both the state and national levels, author of eight books and many professional papers, and has received many awards from the American Psychological Association and the American Psychological Foundation e.g. Gold Medal Award for Life Achievement in the Practice of Psychology receiving it "for his 40-year career challenging the criteria of social morality as the basis for diagnosing sexual disorders. For his presentation before the American Psychiatric Association to eliminate homosexuality as a mental disorder. For his founding two counseling centers for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in order to deliver unbiased treatment, and for his founding of the Journal of Homosexuality."

Reviews

[Apr]

2 copies

[Martyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this revised edition of The Joy of Gay Sex to be just as outdated as the first edition. This time HIV/AIDS dominated the entire book (which didn't feature at all in the original edition), being mentioned at every turn. Once again the book is written very much for the American market, being about American gay culture, and all organisations, publications and services advertised being American ones. Once again the writers don't do a very good job of hiding their own prejudices and biases, saying what they think the ideal well-adjusted gay man should be like, what his attitudes should be, thinking there is something wrong with people who don't think like they (the writers) do, and recommending psychotherapy left for practically everything (well, perhaps that is a slight exaggeration).

But for me the most astounding thing is that, while once again the writers don't seem to have a great amount of respect for the idea of life-long monogamous relationships (it's certainly not something they encourage), they do seem to actively promote having sex with animals! They see nothing unhealthy or abnormal or immoral or unethical in such behaviour - but just hope it isn't a person's only sexual outlet! How can you take their judgments seriously when you hear that? How can you treat anything they say with any respect and credibility? It astonishes me not just that they actually believed and wrote such things, but that the publishers actually printed it. What was going through any of their minds?

Once again the title of the book is a misnomer which it fails to live up to just as much as did the first edition, with little sense of joy about it. Once again much of the contents are outdated or obsolete in reference to modern-day life. But once again it feels, like the first volume, that it is an important book as a cultural and historical artefact, a record of gay life in a particular country at a particular period in time.

It has been entirely re-illustrated for this edition. It has neither gained nor lost by that. It is just different, showcasing two more artists' artwork. Some people might consider it worth buying for the artwork alone. It's only for the artwork that I give it as much as three stars.

[Johannes Raittinen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great glimpse into the lives of gay men if the 90’s. Some information while interesting, very outdated and this book should be read critically. Only few chapters had rather harmful information. Most of the book is still as relevant as it was over 30 years ago, sadly.

[Vincent · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m definitely interpreting this as more of a reader/artifact of history than taking it as it is. This is because lot of the lingo, language, terms, and even medication for HIV changing drastically (seriously please look into modern HIV medications, statistics, and best practices because they’ve changed drastically since this was published). With that being said I thought this was fun and bold and enjoyed it.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative book and not just for gay men. 😊