The Velvet Rage : Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man's World

The most important issue in a gay man#8217;s life is not #8220;coming out,#8221; but coming to terms with the invalidating past. Despite the progress made in recent years, many gay men still wonder, #8220;Are we better off?#8221; The byproduct of growing up gay in a straight world continues to be the internalization of shame, rejection, and anger-a toxic cocktail that can lead to drug abuse, promiscuity, alcoholism, depression, and suicide.#160;#160;Drawing on contemporary psychological research, the author#8217;s own journey, and the stories of many of his friends and clients, Velvet Rage addresses the myth of gay pride and outlines three stages to emotional well-being for gay men. The revised and expanded edition covers issues related to gay marriage, a broader range of examples that extend beyond middle-class gay men in America, and expansion of the original discussion on living authentically as a gay man.