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The Story Of Gay Visibility In America
University Of Chicago Press
October 2001
On Sale: October 1, 2001
356 pages ISBN: 0226872319 EAN: 9780226872315 Hardcover
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Non-Fiction
Splashed against the tumultuous Clinton years and framed by
the clash between gay political might and anti-gay activism,
All the Rage presents the first authoritative guide
to the new gay visibility. From the public outing of Ellen
DeGeneres to the vicious murder of Matthew Shepard, gay
lives and images have moved onto the center stage of
American public life. Lesbians and gay men are indeed
everywhere, from television sitcoms to Budweiser ads, from
the White House to the Magic Kingdom. Combining personal
stories with incisive analysis, Suzanna Danuta Walters
chronicles this historic moment in our culture, arguing that
we live in a time when gays are seen, but not necessarily
known.
Many consider the new gay visibility a sign of
social acceptance, while others charge that it is mere
window dressing, obscuring the dogged persistence of
discrimination. Walters moves beyond these positions and
instead argues that these realities coexist: gays are
simultaneously depicted as the sign of social decay and the
chic flavor of the month. Taking on the common wisdom that
visibility means progress, All the Rage maps the
terrain on which gays are accepted as witty accessories in
movies, gain access to political power, and yet still fall
into constrictive stereotypes. Walters warns us with clarity
and wit of the pitfalls of equating visibility with full
integration into the fabric of American society. From the
playful TV fantasies of lesbian weddings on Friends
to the very real obstacles confronting gay marriage, from
the award-winning comedy Will & Grace to
Bible-thumping radio superhost Dr. Laura, All the
Rage takes on naive celebrants and jaded naysayers
alike. With a sophisticated mix of caution and optimism, it
provides an illuminating guide through these exciting,
controversial times.
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