Title
The tolerance trap : how God, genes, and good intentions are sabotaging gay equality / Suzanna Danuta Walters.
ISBN
9780814770573 hardcover
0814770576 hardcover
Published
New York : NYU Press, [2014]
Language
English
Description
x, 333 pages ; 24 cm
Call Number
HQ76.5 .W35 2014
Dewey Decimal Classification
323.3/264
Summary
From Glee to gay marriage, from lesbian senators to out gay Marines, we have undoubtedly experienced a seismic shift in attitudes about gays in American politics and culture. Our reigning national story is that a new era of rainbow acceptance is at hand. But dig a bit deeper, and this seemingly brave new gay world is disappointing. For all of the undeniable changes, author Walters argues, the plea for tolerance has sabotaged the full integration of gays into American life. Same-sex marriage is unrecognized and unpopular in the vast majority of states, hate crimes proliferate, and even in the much vaunted "gay friendly" world of Hollywood and celebrity culture, precious few stars are openly gay. She maintains that we are not "almost there," but on the contrary have settled for a watered-down goal of tolerance rather than a robust claim to full civil rights. After all, one "tolerates" unpleasant realities: medicine with strong side effects, a long commute, an annoying relative. Tolerance is not the end goal, but a dead end;.--From publisher description.
Bibliography, etc. Note
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Series
Intersections (New York, N.Y.)
Introduction: That's so gay! (Or is it?)
Part I. The end of coming out? Once upon a time ; Coming out is so last year ; The closet 2.0
Part II. Do these genes make me look gay? The medical gayz ; Dangerous liaisons ; You say nature, I say nurture ... let's call the whole thing off
Part III. Citizen Gay. Homeland insecurities ; Better put a ring on it ; In the family way
Part IV. Escape from the tolerance trap. Is that all there is? ; When the rainbow isn't enough.
