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Homophobia: A History
by Byrne Fone
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$14.04 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. |
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$3.96 (22%) |
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Paperback
Publisher: Picador
In this tour de force of historical and literary research, Fone, an acclaimed expert on gay and lesbian history and professor emeritus at the City University of New York, chronicles the evolution of homophobia through the centuries. Delving into literary sources as diverse as Greek philosophy, Elizabethan poetry, the Bible, and the Victorian novel, as well as historical texts and propaganda ranging from the French Revolution to the Moral Majority to the transcripts of current TV talk shows, Fone reveals how and why same-sex desire has long been the object of legal, social, religious, and political persecution.
| Customer Reviews: |
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| Mistaken about Paul |
| Customer Rating: 3 out of 5 |
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I agree with the Amazon review that the term "homophobia" is not used properly in this book, and that that could be detrimental to a clear-thinking society. It is a history of homosexuality and the treatment of homosexuals, and as such, I find it to be a very good one, in spite of not covering all five (or seven) continents, and even without including detailed information about modern times.
It was very interesting for me to read about homosexuality in the Greek and Roman cultures, and realize that we all too often fall into the trap of ignoring what our own cultural assumptions and associations are.
The main problem I have with the book is Fone's conclusion about St. Paul. Fone has the distorted view that Paul was opposed to all sex except for the purpose of procreation. I am familiar with several passages where Paul refers to sex as something more than a simple way to procreate:
First Corinthians 7:2-6 and verse 9. Here Paul talks about sex as a show of affection, as a passionate burning, and as a coming together between a man and wife in order to not fall into temptation. Sex is not just a procreation method here, it is an urge and it is an expression of mutual caring.
In Hebrews 13:4 Paul speaks of the marriage bed as honorable, and something that should be kept pure. Although this requires some interpretation on my part, I read here the idea of fidelity to one's partner in sexual acts. It is an outward sign of the covenant relationship - the two coming together as one. (See also Ephesians 5:31, not far from verse 5:33.)
Overall, that may seem like a minor point to take issue with, but it is a petpeeve of mine since several authors about homosexuality seem to be quoting each other and spreading this hackneyed line about Paul that he opposes sex except for procreative purposes.
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| A wake-up call... |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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As a young gay man trying to understand his place in the world and how he fits into it all, this book was shocking and occasionally disturbing as it chronicled the tormented history of homosexuals in Europe and America.
Being the first non-fiction book I read concerning homosexuality, I winced as I read about the grisly executions performed in the name of God and/or the law, or how homosexuals where rooted and hunted out as in the witch hunts in early Europe. Atrocities towards fellow human beings are perpetrated with such righteous fervor that you wish they would look in the mirror and see what monsters they've become. It chills me to think that had I been born during that dismal period, I could be drowned, stoned, or burned at the stake for consummating my love with another man.
As a Christian, it shames me to learn from reading this that because of one account in the Bible, twisted or misunderstood by interpreters, Christian authorities have employed it as a reason to deliver their brutal judgement against the "sin of Sodom". Worse, as Christianity spread throughout the world, it carried with it the plague of homophobia. Read with horror upon the settlers' arrival in the New World, what they did to the Native Americans. It still confounds me to why people who believe in a god who is the epitomy of love and forgiveness, would embrace hatred and prejudice against their fellow men, as different as they may be.
Reading this has really made me thankful to be living in this day, where even if homosexuality might be frowned upon by some, it has become more understood and more tolerated, if not accepted. The book has made me grieve for those who never got the privilege to be who they are, salute the heroes who fought against the homophobic colossus of that age, and to be sobered out of complacency by knowing that it took a lot of sweat and spilt blood to be able to allow us to have the relative freedom we have.
Finally, taking it further, the book to me is also call to protect, defend, and also to fight. I am aware that there are still countries with homophobic governments who live under constant threat of death. I am aware that we still don't enjoy the full benefits of our existence in society. I am made aware after reading the book that things don't change because you sit there and take it.
I guess the only downside that I found is that it focuses mainly on Europe and America so the generic title would probably do with a little appending.
All-in-all, extremely rousing and informative! Thank you Byrne Fone!
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| Interesting (Though Often Horrific) Survey |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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Byrne Fone, in Homophobia A History, looks at exactly what the title states. It is the perfect book for those interested in a first look at the subject of homosexuality through the ages in European and American culture. It is neither particulary scholary or exhaustive and while each of the specific topics (such as literature) or eras (such as medieval) is covered more thouroughly elsewhere, this book provides a fascinating glimpse at the horrendous forces at play through homophobia, whether religious, civil or personal, as they have shaped society from ancient Greece to Stonewall. There are certain gaps, such as the absence of a discussion of Europe during the twentienth century. It is a horrifying glimpse into the history of a destructive mindset and the author handles the subject matter in an illuminating and interesting fashion.
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| Interesting historical review |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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Fone presents in this work a very comprehensive, but readable piece of scholarship on attitudes toward homosexuality (mainly of the gay male variety) in the Western world. We learn a lot about Greek and Roman history, severe attitudes against gays in the middle ages, and a mixed view of homosexuality in the Renaissance era. My only complaint is not enough attention was given to the modern question of homophobia, with the last 30 years wrapped up in mere pages. A historical perspective is great, but only if it is related to how things stand today. I would have liked to have seen more about how AIDS may have set back gay rights in the 1980s, the successes and failures of legislative attempts to both enhance and take away from the rights of our g/l/b/t brothers and sisters. Maybe Fone is going to give us a part two?
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| Fascinating, eye-opening |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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I was enthralled by this lively, meticulous piece of scholarship, which draws from literature and history its often disturbing conclusions. An incredible work of research and application of findings. Full of interesting insights and details. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to read something both educational and engrossing.
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