The Quackery of the Straight and Narrow

The relationship between the gay and lesbian community and the heterosexual world is an evolving mix of tradition and culture in a constant struggle with itself. This tug of war between the oppressor and the oppressed is as old as Plato but has come into the light in recent decades. The Quackery of the Straight and Narrow is an unapologetic view of the state of the relationship between gay and straight. The story begins in our homes in the magical, torturous place of the closet and the struggle of coming to terms with one’s sexual identity and the realization that this is not an event but a lifetime struggle. The painful memory of trying to walk and talk “straight” in an effort to convince our family, friends, and ultimately the world that we fit in instead of embracing who we are is a small part of that lifetime struggle. Religion is at the heart of the relationship between the gay and straight community. Oppression in all shapes and sizes finds its roots in the belief in the divine and homosexuality is no exception. Religious dogma is as much a part of our current day institutions as sugar is to our DNA. Politics are also a force in the world of gay and straight. The creeds of our ancestors have woven themselves into the American political culture and gays and lesbians have become the vehicles to the highest offices in the land. This often moves in lock step with the latest scandal of the latest god-fearing politicos caught in various positions of impropriety with those other than the Mrs. Some politicians of our time curse the buffet but continue to go back for seconds. The Quackery of the Straight and Narrow shines a light on those who do this and calls them out. Hollywood is a friend to the gay community. As with any struggle, there is always a light in the crack of the closet door and, for gays, this comes in the form of heterosexuals who fight for the gay cause. This includes an interview with Rue McClanahan, actress from NBC’s The Golden Girls, who has supported this fight for recognition and respect on our behalf. This book also explores the various judgments and punishments that regimes around the world invoke when homosexuality is discovered in their midst. The history of the United States as a leader in the fight for equality and civil liberties is a position that we have seemingly abdicated in recent decades when it comes to the myth of the Leviticus sin. Skillman Hunt is a San Francisco writer who wishes for a better future for gays. This is an intimate, funny and frank view that families, religious institutions, the politic establishment, and the Hollywood community should join forces to recognize that we all want the same thing: a peaceful, joyous life.www.skillmanhunt.com