Entertainment
December 18, 1992
GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE
Page 25
The New Joy of Gay Sex by Dr. Charles Silverstein and Felice Picano
Harper Collins, hardcover, $30.00.
Reviewed by Timothy Robson
A couple of months ago in this column I reviewed Jack Hart's Gay Sex: A Manual for Men Who Love Men (Alyson, 1991) and commented on the fact that The Joy of Gay Sex (1977) was long out of print, making Hart's book the only current gay male sex guide. Only a few weeks later Harper Collins Publishers graced my mailbox with a review copy of The New Joy of Gay Sex, which is billed as a totally new version of the 1977 book. Dr. Charles Silverstein remains as a co-author; Edumund White, coauthor of the previous version, contributes the forward, and is replaced as co-author by Felice Picano, author of such books as The Lure, Ambidextrous, and Men Who Loved Me. The book contains color illustrations painted by Deni Ponty and black and white illustrations by F. Ronald Fowler.
This book covers much the same territory as Hart's Gay Sex, although this is a much more elaborate book. (One might note that the price is also much higher. Thirty dollars seems a bit steep.) The articles are longer and more detailed than Hart's book, and the illustrations are more erotic. The emphasis is on safer sex both in text and illustrations. Besides the expected articles on various sexual techniques and the psychological aspects of gay male life, there are fun pieces on, among others, sex ads, phone sex, "sit on my face," and "new macho images" (including a priceless description of the stereotypical ACT UP clone). The most satisfying articles are those on more serious topics, such as loneliness, early abuse, saying no, and letting
go. In virtually every article the authors describe how AIDS (or HIV disease, as they prefer to call it) has changed our lives, and how we deal with relationships, whether brief sexual encounters or long-term gay marriages.
Illustrator Fowler wins the inclusivity and diversity award for his fantasy drawings of gay men--Anglo, African-American, Asian, preppie, leather, pierced, shaved, long-haired--you name it, it's here. My personal favorite is the drawing of the shaved and pierced dwarf top-man.
For nostalgia's sake, I got out my collector's item copy of the original book to compare some of the articles. There is a certain amount of verbatim repetition, but most pieces have been substantially rewritten to reflect 1990s concerns. The original Joy of Gay Sex created a scandal-Canadian customs officials refused its importation; bookstores refused to display it openly. These days only Madonna rates that kind of treatment. It is difficult to believe that this New Joy will cause such a stir, despite the current crop of Biblebangers trying to run our lives.
If you have a limited allowance or only want one sex manual, should you buy the Alyson Gay Sex or The New Joy of Gay Sex? It's a tough call, since both have strong points. Gay Sex is common sense, down-to-earth and carries a reasonable price tag ($14.95); the pricier New Joy has more articles in much greater detail by two distinguished gay authors, and some of the illustrations are quite hot. If you already own Gay Sex, there is probably no need to rush out to buy New Joy; but if you're in the market for a sex book, The New Joy of Gay Sex is a definite contender.
SMYTHE. CRAMER CO.
Cleveland Hts. Office
&
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Ernie is consistently in the "Top 25"
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Business 721-1210 Home 463-2572
Visions
Visions is a gay/lesbian social and
community service organization.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
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First Thursday dinner
Thurs., Nov. 5
Monthly social meeting Sat., Nov. 21 Pot luck
at Snicker's
Call or write for more information,
or to receive a membership application.
Phone: 864-9634
Address: P.O. Box 26556
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Akron, OH 44319
FRIED, KOESTER and Co.
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Kristine C. Koester, C.P.A.
5587 TURNEY ROAD GARFIELD HEIGHTS, OHIO 44125 (216) 475-7844 FAX (216) 475-7845
Knights Duti
Happy Hour 7pm-9pm Free Pizza
All Scnapps & Brandy 25¢
Wine Coolers $1.
All Liquor and Beer at Lower Prices Show Night-Tue.
Strippers-Thursday
Drink & Drown & Karaoke -Thur.
DJ. Friday & Sat.
Open Daily 7pm-2:30am Free Parking With Security
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Opening Saturday, January 16 Free Buffet
1 Complimentary Cocktail "On the House" Guest Appearance by Florida's "Cocod' Emcee Marilyn
18 North Meridian, Austintown, Ohio (216) 793-0082
NEW GAY/LESBIAN FILMS!
PEPI, LUCI, BOM 1/8 at 9:20 pm & 1/9 at 7:30 pm Almodovar's 1st and most outrageous film! HEARING VOICES 1/14 at 7:30 pm & 1/16 at 9 pm Straight female fashion model takes gay lover.
NO SKIN OFF MY ASS
1/14 at 9:15 pm & 1/15 at 7:30 pm Punk hairdresser takes in a skinhead.
VIA APPIA 1/21 at 9:15 pm & 1/22 at 7:30 pm A German searches Rio for ex-lover who infected him with HIV.
The Cleveland Cinematheque at the Cleveland Inst. of Art Bast Blvd at Bellflower in University Circle Free parking Admission each film $5 421-7450