Synopses & Reviews
Bolstered by national television exposure on Oprah and a cover story in the New York Times Magazine, the "down low"—a term used to refer to "straight" men who have sex with men—was thrust into the open in 2004. Keith Boykin, a former Clinton White House aide, goes beyond the hype with the first responsible, eye-opening look at the down low sensation. Unlike all previous accounts on the topic, Beyond the Down Low presents the DL not merely as a problem of gay and bisexual men living in the shadows, but more as an example of America's unwillingness to engage in critical but uncomfortable conversations about black sexuality. Boykin details how society has helped to create an environment where black gay and bisexual men feel compelled to lead double lives. Meanwhile, the dialogue that has taken place in the black community encourages an unhealthy battle of the sexes, ignores the complexity of the closet, demonizes bisexuality, disempowers women, and misdirects public resources and attention. This book is a timely and well researched answer to the question, "Why are so many black men on the DL?" More importantly, it is an essential tool to pry open the closet door in black America.
Synopsis
Bolstered by national television exposure on Oprah and a cover story in the New York Times Magazine, the down lowa term used to refer to closeted black men who have sex with menwas thrust out into the open last year. Keith Boykin, a former Clinton White House aide, syndicated columnist, and AIDS activist, breaks new ground by going beyond the media hype with the first responsible, eye-opening look at the down low sensation. Unlike all previous accounts on the topic, Beyond the Down Low refreshingly presents the DL not merely as a problem of gay and bisexual men living in the shadows and endangering women with HIV, but more broadly as a telling example of the African-American communitys overall failure to engage in critical but uncomfortable conversations about sexuality. Chief among those blacks who have lagged behind in leadership have been the black church, the African-American news media, and the black civil rights establishment, including the NAACP. Beyond the Down Low is a provocative, timely, and well-researched answer to the question Why are so many black men on the DL? More importantly, the book is a prescriptive solution to ending the closet in black America.
Synopsis
Bolstered by national television exposure on Oprah and a cover story in the New York Times Magazine, the "down low"-a term used to refer to closeted black men who have sex with men-was thrust out into the open last year. Keith Boykin, a former Clinton White House aide, syndicated columnist, and AIDS activist, breaks new ground by going beyond the media hype with the first responsible, eye-opening look at the down low sensation. Unlike all previous accounts on the topic, Beyond the Down Low refreshingly presents the DL not merely as a problem of gay and bisexual men living in the shadows and endangering women with HIV, but more broadly as a telling example of the African-American community's overall failure to engage in critical but uncomfortable conversations about sexuality. Chief among those blacks who have lagged behind in leadership have been the black church, the African-American news media, and the black civil rights establishment, including the NAACP. Beyond the Down Low is a provocative, timely, and well-researched answer to the question "Why are so many black men on the DL?" More importantly, the book is a prescriptive solution to ending the closet in black America.
Synopsis
Activist and former Clinton White House advisor on gay/lesbian issues Keith Boykin tackles a major issue in the African-American community--closeted black men who have sex with men. Boykin's response to the "New York Times" bestseller "On the Down Low" details the virtual silence regarding the topic from among the bastions of the black community: the church and the NAACP.