Now That I'm Out, What Do I Do?: Thoughts on Living Deliberately - Hardcover

McNaught, Brian

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0312156162 ISBN 13: 9780312156169

Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 1997

Synopsis

A prominent gay writer helps those who have recently come out of the closet re-examine some of the basic issues of human existence, such as sex, family, love, family, and community.

About this title

Review:

Writing with the "newly elect" in mind, Brian McNaught advises his readers on how to forge connections within the sometimes thorny gay, lesbian, and bisexual communities while still maintaining ties with family and old friends. Along the way, he discusses sexual ethics, same-sex marriage, work, spirituality, and political action. Readers who have been out for a year or more, or who grew up in large cities, may find McNaught's earnest tone and tortoise pace too basic, or even unintentionally funny. (After telling us, for example, that he and his gay brother, Tommy, feel comfortable with each other in the way McNaught imagines that compatible heterosexual brothers might feel, he confides that they "talk often about issues from our childhood that we are currently working on in therapy.") But for the neophyte, his tolerant and deliberate approach will feel welcoming. A good introductory book for adolescents as well, and the families of gay people. --Regina Marler

From the Publisher:

Critical Praise for Now That I'm Out, What Do I Do?:

"Getting there may be half the battle, but until now on one had really addressed what we should do once we've arrived. McNaught, one of our most prominent sexuality educators, comes to our rescue with a practical primer that's both informative and fun to read." --The Advocate

"If you've ever felt that you didn't quite fit it, weren't gay in the right way, had concerns that you didn't hear other gay and lesbian people talking about, this courageous personal account of a journey to self will give you a perspective that you are not likely to find elsewhere." --Betty Berzon, author of Intimacy Dance

"Chattily and cogently written, this book offers solid advice to the majority of gays...on how to come to terms with themselves in both gay and mainstream society." --Publishers Weekly

"Warmly affirmative, realistic without being downbeat, and moving in its candor..." --Library Journal

"This is a heartwarming and life-affirming first-person account that will tempt you to sit back and enjoy being gay." -->Gay Chicago

"McNaught captures a degree of sophistication missed by many other modern writers of the gay experience." --LGNY

"What makes McNaught's book superior...is its humility, its personal honesty, its freedom from negative criticism, and its ability to make the reader feel affirmed and hopeful." --Armand Cerbone, Ph.D., APA Division 44 Newsletter

About this edition

• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0312156162
• ISBN 13: 9780312156169
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 205