Beyond the Closet: The Transformation of Gay and Lesbian Life - Softcover

"This elegant, engaging book by eminent social analyst Steven Seidman imaginatively charts the rise and demise of the era of the closet in gay history and politics....Eschewing polemics and posturing, "Beyond the Closet provides a perfect antidote to mental mildew." -Judith Stacey, author of "In the Name of the Family "Seidman's analysis of the closet, its dimensions, characteristics, and effects on its inhabitants is thoughtful and compelling. As a sociologist, Seidman has important insights to share on the way people adapt to their 'closets, ' and how human identities are largely reactive and contextual." -"Lambda Book Report "[A]n easily digested recent history of the gay movement...dips into popular culture and coming out stories to analyze the astonishingly swift changes in the quality of queer life." -"The Montreal Gazette "Seidman's new book is perfectly constructed with just the right dosage of history and sociology...What makes this book invaluable, among other qualities, is Seidman's courageous non-avoidance of a key question." -Cercles "The moment of the closet may now have passed, but as Seidman shows, it continues to shadow many lives. However, the life chances of lesbians and gays have changed dramatically in recent years because of profound cultural changes in gay life and in wider patterns of intimacy. Seidman powerfully captures these changes, by allowing the voices of gays themselves to lead the presentation. The book vibrates with eloquence, pain, and passion. It combines rich interview material with a subtle but clear theoretical underpinning. This is a book both readable and illuminating." -Jeffrey Weeks, author of "Same SexIntimacies: Families of Choice and Other Life Experiences

Gay life has become increasingly open in the last decade. In Beyond the Closet , Steven Seidman, a well-known author and leading scholar in sexuality, is the first to chronicle this lifestyle change and to look at the lives of contemporary gays and lesbians to see how their "out" status has changed. This compelling, well-written, and smart account is an important step forward for the gay and lesbian community.