Loving Men: Gay Partners, Spirituality, and AIDS

Loving Men: Gay Partners, Spirituality, and AIDS

Continuum Publishing Co., 370 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10017. 191p., bibliog. ISBN 0-8264-1138-X. $17.95.
Richard P. Hardy. 1998.

Each person has a story to tell in this world, a story that means so much to him or her. These stories have shaped the histories that have been written. Unfortunately, many stories are censored and never are seen by anyone because individuals may feel that their stories may taint history. How vain mankind is to try and make sure that we look good at all times. For centuries, people have told their stories of being gay, but society deemed it best for everyone that these stories never be put down as history. "This book hopes to provide the opportunity for the enrichment of history and spirituality as it presents the stories of various gay men who lived in loving relationships and in so doing created a spirituality." The ultimate hope in recording these stories for all to read is to open the eyes of everyone that gay couples share in suffering, joy, hope, strength, fear, love, anger, and peace. There is so much hate in society against gays. One only has to browse the internet to see that hate, read the newspapers of hate crimes against gays, and watch in anger as Phelps pickets gay funerals and parades. There are so many people who would rather we just go away and cease to exist.

Why cannot everyone realize that we will never go away. "We are gay. We are lovers. We are partners. We are celibates. We are single. We are physicians, construction workers, professors, lawyers, ministers, carpenters, priests, rabbis, artists, clerks, restaurateurs, chaplains, as well as belonging to a host of other professions in every segment of society." We are here, there, everywhere and this book records the stories of some of those who have stepped forward. HIV/AIDS has not destroyed the gays of the world and their love. "Rather it has made them every more deeply aware of the fact that whatever others might say of them, they were ordinary people who lived ordinary lives in love, concern, and compassion."

The book touches on everything that touches everyone: spirituality, dating, day to day difficulties, HIV/AIDS, preoccupations with worries, experiences of crises, values of caregivers, values after the partner's diagnosis, friends as supportive, sharing hope, and above all love. This is a must read book for all gay couples and a must read for those who doubt that gay couples have a legitimate place in society. It is a highly recommended book for all libraries.

Keywords: Religious Aspects; Gay Male Couples, Interviews
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