U-M prof's book, 'How to Be Gay,' gets some good press in The New York Times

Posted on Mon, Aug 13, 2012 : 10:30 a.m.

U-M prof's book, 'How to Be Gay,' gets some good press in The New York Times

By Jenn McKee

"How to Be Gay," a new book by David M. Halperin - a professor of the history and theory of sexuality at the University of Michigan - recently got some positive coverage by way of a New York Times review by Dwight Garner.

Halperin, inspired by a 2000 U-M course he created titled "How to Be Gay" (which sparked some controversy), argues in his book that "'Gayness' is not a state or condition. It’s a mode of perception, an attitude, an ethos: in short, it is a practice." According to Garner, "the great value of traditional gay male culture, (Halperin) further posits, perhaps even more challengingly, 'resides in some of its most despised and repudiated features: gay male femininity, diva worship, aestheticism, snobbery, drama, adoration of glamour, caricature of women and obsession with the figure of the mother.'”

Though the reviewer calls the book "disheveled and sprawling" and notes the academic nature of the prose, he also praises Halperin's analysis of a pivotal scene in Joan Crawford's "Mildred Pierce," and his discussion of how gay men often find more resonance in straight cultural artifacts than in gay ones.

Read the full review here.

Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.

Comments

Terri Eagen-Torkko

Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 1:07 a.m.

On September 11 at 12 noon in 2239 Lane Hall (204 S. State St.), the Institute for Research on Women and Gender will host a panel discussion of this book--Prof. Halperin will be on hand to make remarks and University of Michigan professors David Caron, Lisa Disch and Helmut Puff will discuss the work from their perspectives and take questions from the audience. It's free and open to the public. Hope to see you there!

trespass

Mon, Aug 13, 2012 : 10:18 p.m.

Interesting timing since Dan Horning who made such a stink about the course is now running to return to the Board of Regents. Dan likes it both ways though, one the one hand he was in the press deriding the course but when asked if there were more Republicans on the Board would they prohibit the course? Dan said, Oh no the Regents would never interfere with curriculum. If you like someone with the courage of their convictions, I am sure you can do better than Dan.

braggslaw

Mon, Aug 13, 2012 : 6:56 p.m.

Really?

Basic Bob

Mon, Aug 13, 2012 : 5:12 p.m.

Snobbery and drama. Sounds like Ann Arbor.

Albert Howard

Mon, Aug 13, 2012 : 4:53 p.m.

IMHO this is an inappropriate photograph and article for the family friendly online edition.

Paul Taylor

Mon, Aug 13, 2012 : 5:05 p.m.

Would you both like some smelling salts and a fainting chair?

dading dont delete me bro

Mon, Aug 13, 2012 : 4:57 p.m.

@albert, that's what i was thinking.

dading dont delete me bro

Mon, Aug 13, 2012 : 3:58 p.m.

really...?

Lovaduck

Mon, Aug 13, 2012 : 3:46 p.m.

Sounds like he may have set homosexual, queer, and gay culture back 40 years or so; but I'll reserve judgment 'till I read it!

Elijah Shalis

Mon, Aug 13, 2012 : 3:27 p.m.

sounds very controversial hopefully isn't stereotyped.