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Pray the Gay Away : The Extraordinary Lives of Bible Belt Gays by Bernadette Barton (2012, Hardcover)
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About this product
Product Identifiers
PublisherNew York University Press
ISBN-100814786375
ISBN-139780814786376
eBay Product ID (ePID)113166004
Product Key Features
Number of Pages284 Pages
LanguageEnglish
Publication NamePray the Gay Away : the Extraordinary Lives of Bible Belt Gays
SubjectSociology / General, Sexuality & Gender Studies, Lgbt Studies / Gay Studies
Publication Year2012
TypeTextbook
AuthorBernadette Barton
Subject AreaReligion, Social Science
FormatHardcover
Dimensions
Item Height1 in
Item Weight18.4 Oz
Item Length9.3 in
Item Width6.4 in
Additional Product Features
Intended AudienceScholarly & Professional
LCCN2012-026535
Dewey Edition23
Reviews"Barton draws on a trove of ethnographic data, including in-depth interviews with Bible Belt gays, visits to the Creation Museum and a local megachurch, attendance at an Exodus International conference for ex-gays, and her own experiences as an openly lesbian professor. Interview subjects share wrenching stories of being disowned by their families, and the immeasurable harm caused by attempts to reconcile identities as good, moral Christians with the unchangeable fact of their sexuality." Publishers Weekly , September 3rd 2012, "Barton's captivating and engaging research invites us to consider the challenges facing lesbian and gay youth living in the Bible Belt. This is a book to be valued by educators, social workers, mental health counselors, and others seeking a deeper understanding of the fear and hatred experienced by gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth that will hopefully lead to improved support of gay youth and the development of safe spaces."- Youth Today, "Barton's (sociology & women's studies, Morehead State Univ.) title refers to the fact that many Southern Christians believe that gayness will go away if one prays for that to happen. She explains that social and religious conservatism holds sway in much of the American South. Christian churches there are often bible-literalist and fundamentalist, and preachers routinely excoriate gays as the "spawn of Satan." Gays frequently are disowned by their parents, spurned by siblings, and shunned or "disfellowshipped" by other church members. The widespread belief in the South is that the "gay lifestyle" is a free choice, and not genetically determined, and that people who "choose" to be gay are the most abominable of sinners. Barton herself is gay and lives in civil union (approved in Vermont) with her partner of many years. VERDICT This book can be very hard to read on an emotional level. Many of the gay Southerners the author interviewed communicate their deep sense of oppression, betrayal, and rejection by the very people they most love: parents, family members, and spiritual guides. Very much worth reading, and at times moving, the book indicts the conservative wing of Christianity for promoting cruelty and intolerance."- Library Journal ,, Bartons book gives voice to a group of people who have been through sometimes mind-boggling ordealsincluding family members knife attacks, violent efforts to exorcise demons from them, and disowning thembut who come through the constant shaming and stigmatization with strength, compassion, critical thought, and intense reflection on themselves and their spirituality. Rather than seeing her respondents as passive victims, Barton shows her audience that Bible Belt gays have an intimate understanding of conservative Christianity that can help us all to understand conflicts in American culture., [S]heds critical light upon the ways Christianity affects the everyday lives of sexual minorities regardless of their own religious identification. Using an impressive array of ethnographic materials . . . Barton provides a thorough analysis of the cultural terrain known as the Bible Belt as well as the factors embedded within this terrain that consistently isolate and marginalize non-heterosexual desire and practice. . . . Ultimately, Barton has constructed a substantive and instructive text for scholars and students . . . seeking to ascertain the interrelation of sexualities and religion in contemporary society., "[The author] draws on a trove of ethnographic data, including in-depth interviews with Bible Belt gays, visits to the Creation Museum and a local megachurch, attendance at an Exodus International conference for ex-gays, and her own experiences as an openly lesbian professor... Though Barton documents numerous cases of religious-based abuse, she is tolerant of conservative Christians."- Publishers Weekly ,, [The author] draws on a trove of ethnographic data, including in-depth interviews with Bible Belt gays, visits to the Creation Museum and a local megachurch, attendance at an Exodus International conference for ex-gays, and her own experiences as an openly lesbian professor. . . . Though Barton documents numerous cases of religious-based abuse, she is tolerant of conservative Christians., "Barton'sbook gives voice to a group of people who have been through sometimesmind-boggling ordeals--including family members' knife attacks, violent effortsto exorcise demons from them, and disowning them--but who come through theconstant shaming and stigmatization with strength, compassion, criticalthought, and intense reflection on themselves and their spirituality. Ratherthan seeing her respondents as passive victims, Barton shows her audience thatBible Belt gays have an intimate understanding of conservative Christianitythat can help us all to understand conflicts in American culture."- Gender and Society, "I highly recommendPray the Gay Awayto anyone with an interest in contemporary queer experience, in Bible Belt Christianity, and the intersection of the two. I'd go so far as to say it's required reading for anyone who cares about what it means to be gay in America today. Whether or not you've ever lived in the 'toxic closet' yourself, too many of our fellow citizens still wake up there every morning. We owe it to them to listen to the stories they have so generously shared."-Anna J. Cook, The Feminist Librarian, I highly recommend Pray the Gay Away to anyone with an interest in contemporary queer experience, in Bible Belt Christianity, and the intersection of the two. Id go so far as to say its required reading for anyone who cares about what it means to be gay in America today. Whether or not youve ever lived in the 'toxic closet' yourself, too many of our fellow citizens still wake up there every morning. We owe it to them to listen to the stories they have so generously shared., "Barton'sbook gives voice to a group of people who have been through sometimesmind-boggling ordeals-including family members' knife attacks, violent effortsto exorcise demons from them, and disowning them-but who come through theconstant shaming and stigmatization with strength, compassion, criticalthought, and intense reflection on themselves and their spirituality. Ratherthan seeing her respondents as passive victims, Barton shows her audience thatBible Belt gays have an intimate understanding of conservative Christianitythat can help us all to understand conflicts in American culture."- Gender and Society, "Barton draws on a trove of ethnographic data, including in-depth interviews with Bible Belt gays, visits to the Creation Museum and a local megachurch, attendance at an Exodus International conference for ex-gays, and her own experiences as an openly lesbian professor. Interview subjects share wrenching stories of being disowned by their families, and the immeasurable harm caused by attempts to reconcile identities as good, moral Christians with the unchangeable fact of their sexuality." Publishers Weekly, September 3rd 2012"Barton's subjects' painful stories of rejection by their families and communities, as well as the earnest desire of most to reconcile their personal identities with the faith in which they were raised, are eloquent enough to arouse the sympathy of even avowed opponents of gay rights. The most compelling parts of the book are the lengthy quotes from Barton's intelligent subjects...book is still worthwhile reading for anyone interested in what it means to be gay in an overtly hostile environment." Kirkus Review, September 2012"Very much worth reading, and at times moving, the book indicts the conservative wing of Christianity for promoting cruelty and intolerance." Library Journal, October 2012, "A truly great book for anyone interested in the topic...Barton's arguments are refreshing and provide a 'talk back' to homophobic statements."- Metapsychology, "Bartonweaves a remarkable account. . . . Overall this work sets out to tell the stories ofBible Belt gays and provide an arena where their lives and experiences aregiven center stage. Barton skillfully achieves this end."- Sociology of Religion, Bernadette Barton takes us on a vivid inside tour of Bible Belt America that us privileged gay folks from more liberal parts of the U.S. have a hard time imagining or even knew existed. The stories she tells are riveting, heartbreaking, infuriating, yet ultimately uplifting., "The author's tales of gay life in this area of the country, where anti-gay evangelical Protestantism holds sway, range from the harrowing to the mundane...[The book is] worthwhile reading for anyone interested in what it means to be gay in an overtly hostile environment."- Kirkus Reviews, "Pray the Gay Away shines a sobering light on the freedoms and comforts that many of us take for granted."- Instinct, "Her mission isn't to vilify those who have deeply-held beliefs, and she recognizes that their actions and concerns are based in a genuine fear for relative and friends who they think have gone astray from the fold. Yet, she is blunt about the damage that they can cause."- Popmatters.com, "[The author] draws on a trove of ethnographic data, including in-depth interviews with Bible Belt gays, visits to the Creation Museum and a local megachurch, attendance at an Exodus International conference for ex-gays, and her own experiences as an openly lesbian professor. . . . Though Barton documents numerous cases of religious-based abuse, she is tolerant of conservative Christians."- Publishers Weekly, "Pray the Gay Away shines a sobering light on the freedoms and comforts that many of us take for granted."- Instinct, "Barton's captivating and engaging research invites us to consider the challenges facing lesbian and gay youth living in the Bible Belt. This is a book to be valued by educators, social workers, mental health counselors, and others seeking a deeper understanding of the fear and hatred experienced by gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth that will hopefully lead to improved support of gay youth and the development of safe spaces."- Youth Today, "Bernadette Barton takes us on a vivid inside tour of Bible Belt America that us privileged gay folks from more liberal parts of the U.S. have a hard time imagining or even knew existed. The stories she tells are riveting, heartbreaking, infuriating, yet ultimately uplifting." -Eric Marcus,author of Making Gay History, The book is full of interviews, analysis, and wonderment that these people have not moved to a more friendly location., "Bernadette Barton takes us on a vivid inside tour of Bible Belt America that us privileged gay folks from more liberal parts of the U.S. have a hard time imagining or even knew existed. The stories she tells are riveting, heartbreaking, infuriating, yet ultimately uplifting."-Eric Marcus,author of Making Gay History, "Very much worth reading, and at times moving, the book indicts the conservative wing of Christianity for promoting cruelty and intolerance."- Library Journal, "The book is full of interviews, analysis, and wonderment that these people have not moved to a more friendly location."- Sacramento Book Review, Barton weaves a remarkable account. . . . Overall this work sets out to tell the stories of Bible Belt gays and provide an arena where their lives and experiences are given center stage. Barton skillfully achieves this end., The authors tales of gay life in this area of the country, where anti-gay evangelical Protestantism holds sway, range from the harrowing to the mundane. . . . Worthwhile reading for anyone interested in what it means to be gay in an overtly hostile environment., "[S]heds critical lightupon the ways Christianity affects the everyday lives of sexual minoritiesregardless of their own religious identification. Using an impressive array ofethnographic materials . . . Barton provides a thorough analysis of the culturalterrain known as the Bible Belt as well as the factors embedded within thisterrain that consistently isolate and marginalize non-heterosexual desire andpractice. . . . Ultimately, Barton has constructed a substantive and instructivetext for scholars and students . . . seeking to ascertain the interrelation ofsexualities and religion in contemporary society."- American Journal of Sociology, "A truly great book for anyone interested in the topic. . . . Barton's arguments are refreshing and provide a 'talk back' to homophobic statements."- Metapsychology, Pray the Gay Awayshines a sobering light on the freedoms and comforts that many of us take for granted., "The author's tales of gay life in this area of the country, where anti-gay evangelical Protestantism holds sway, range from the harrowing to the mundane. . . . Worthwhile reading for anyone interested in what it means to be gay in an overtly hostile environment."- Kirkus Reviews, "Very much worth reading, and at times moving, the book indicts the conservative wing of Christianity for promoting cruelty and intolerance." - Library Journal ,, A truly great book for anyone interested in the topic. . . . Barton's arguments are refreshing and provide a 'talk back' to homophobic statements., "I highly recommend Pray the Gay Away to anyone with an interest in contemporary queer experience, in Bible Belt Christianity, and the intersection of the two. I'd go so far as to say it's required reading for anyone who cares about what it means to be gay in America today. Whether or not you've ever lived in the 'toxic closet' yourself, too many of our fellow citizens still wake up there every morning. We owe it to them to listen to the stories they have so generously shared."-Anna J. Cook, The Feminist Librarian, "[S]heds critical lightupon the ways Christianity affects the everyday lives of sexual minoritiesregardless of their own religious identification. Using an impressive array ofethnographic materials…Barton provides a thorough analysis of the culturalterrain known as the Bible Belt as well as the factors embedded within thisterrain that consistently isolate and marginalize non-heterosexual desire andpractice…. Ultimately, Barton has constructed a substantive and instructivetext for scholars and students…seeking to ascertain the interrelation ofsexualities and religion in contemporary society."- American Journal of Sociology, Bartons captivating and engaging research invites us to consider the challenges facing lesbian and gay youth living in the Bible Belt. This is a book to be valued by educators, social workers, mental health counselors, and others seeking a deeper understanding of the fear and hatred experienced by gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth that will hopefully lead to improved support of gay youth and the development of safe spaces., "Barton draws on a trove of ethnographic data, including in-depth interviews with Bible Belt gays, visits to the Creation Museum and a local megachurch, attendance at an Exodus International conference for ex-gays, and her own experiences as an openly lesbian professor. Interview subjects share wrenching stories of being disowned by their families, and the immeasurable harm caused by attempts to reconcile identities as good, moral Christians with the unchangeable fact of their sexuality." Publishers Weekly , September 3rd 2012"Barton's subjects' painful stories of rejection by their families and communities, as well as the earnest desire of most to reconcile their personal identities with the faith in which they were raised, are eloquent enough to arouse the sympathy of even avowed opponents of gay rights. the most compelling parts of the book are the lengthy quotes from Barton's intelligent subjects...book is still worthwhile reading for anyone interested in what it means to be gay in an overtly hostile environment." Kirkus Review , September 2012, Her mission isn't to vilify those who have deeply-held beliefs, and she recognizes that their actions and concerns are based in a genuine fear for relative and friends who they think have gone astray from the fold. Yet, she is blunt about the damage that they can cause., "[The author] draws on a trove of ethnographic data, including in-depth interviews with Bible Belt gays, visits to the Creation Museum and a local megachurch, attendance at an Exodus International conference for ex-gays, and her own experiences as an openly lesbian professor... Though Barton documents numerous cases of religious-based abuse, she is tolerant of conservative Christians."- Publishers Weekly, "The author's tales of gay life in this area of the country, where anti-gay evangelical Protestantism holds sway, range from the harrowing to the mundane...[The book is] worthwhile reading for anyone interested in what it means to be gay in an overtly hostile environment."- Kirkus Reviews ,, "Very much worth reading, and at times moving, the book indicts the conservative wing of Christianity for promoting cruelty and intolerance."- Library Journal ,, "Bartonweaves a remarkable account…Overall this work sets out to tell the stories ofBible Belt gays and provide an arena where their lives and experiences aregiven center stage. Barton skillfully achieves this end…."- Sociology of Religion, Very much worth reading, and at times moving, the book indicts the conservative wing of Christianity for promoting cruelty and intolerance., "The author reflects eloquently on the deeper meaning of her subjects' stories."- The Gay and Lesbian Review
Dewey Decimal306.76/60975
Table Of ContentIntroduction: "In the Eyes of the Lord"1. Welcome to the Bible Belt 2. "My Parents Disowned Me": Family Rejection 3. "God Would Tell on Me": Losing their Religion 4. "They Don't Know Who I Am": The Toxic Closet 5. "Going Straight": The Ex-Gay Movement 6. "Prepare to Believe": The Creation Museum 7. "The Opposite of Faith Is Fear": Destruction and Transformation 8. "God Can Love All of Me": Living the Life 9. What the Future Holds
Synopsis2013 Finalist for the Lambda Literary Awards, LGBT Studies category Barton argues that conventional Southern manners and religious institutions provide a foundation for homophobia in the Bible Belt In the Bible Belt, it's common to see bumper stickers that claim One Man + One Woman = Marriage, church billboards that command one to "Get right with Jesus," letters to the editor comparing gay marriage to marrying one's dog, and nightly news about homophobic attacks from the Family Foundation. While some areas of the Unites States have made tremendous progress in securing rights for gay people, Bible Belt states lag behind. Not only do most Bible Belt gays lack domestic partner benefits, lesbians and gay men can still be fired from some places of employment in many regions of the Bible Belt for being a homosexual. In Pray the Gay Away , Bernadette Barton argues that conventions of small town life, rules which govern Southern manners, and the power wielded by Christian institutions serve as a foundation for both passive and active homophobia in the Bible Belt. She explores how conservative Christian ideology reproduces homophobic attitudes and shares how Bible Belt gays negotiate these attitudes in their daily lives. Drawing on the remarkable stories of Bible Belt gays, Barton brings to the fore their thoughts, experiences and hard-won insights to explore the front lines of our national culture war over marriage, family, hate crimes, and equal rights. Pray the Gay Away illuminates their lives as both foot soldiers and casualties in the battle for gay rights., In the Bible Belt, it's common to see bumper stickers that claim One Man + One Woman = Marriage, church billboards that command one to "Get right with Jesus," letters to the editor comparing gay marriage to marrying one's dog, and nightly news about homophobic attacks from the Family Foundation. While some areas of the Unites States have made tremendous progress in securing rights for gay people, Bible Belt states lag behind. Not only do most Bible Belt gays lack domestic partner benefits, lesbians and gay men can still be fired from some places of employment in many regions of the Bible Belt for being a homosexual. In Pray the Gay Away, Bernadette Barton argues that conventions of small town life, rules which govern Southern manners, and the power wielded by Christian institutions serve as a foundation for both passive and active homophobia in the Bible Belt. She explores how conservative Christian ideology reproduces homophobic attitudes and shares how Bible Belt gays negotiate these attitudes in their daily lives. Drawing on the remarkable stories of Bible Belt gays, Barton brings to the fore their thoughts, experiences and hard-won insights to explore the front lines of our national culture war over marriage, family, hate crimes, and equal rights. Pray the Gay Away illuminates their lives as both foot soldiers and casualties in the battle for gay rights., Explores how conservative Christian ideology reproduces homophobic attitudes and shares how Bible Belt gays negotiate these attitudes in their daily lives, 2013 Finalist for the Lambda Literary Awards, LGBT Studies category In the Bible Belt, it's common to see bumper stickers that claim One Man + One Woman = Marriage, church billboards that command one to "Get right with Jesus," letters to the editor comparing gay marriage to marrying one's dog, and nightly news about homophobic attacks from the Family Foundation. While some areas of the Unites States have made tremendous progress in securing rights for gay people, Bible Belt states lag behind. Not only do most Bible Belt gays lack domestic partner benefits, lesbians and gay men can still be fired from some places of employment in many regions of the Bible Belt for being a homosexual. In Pray the Gay Away, Bernadette Barton argues that conventions of small town life, rules which govern Southern manners, and the power wielded by Christian institutions serve as a foundation for both passive and active homophobia in the Bible Belt. She explores how conservative Christian ideology reproduces homophobic attitudes and shares how Bible Belt gays negotiate these attitudes in their daily lives. Drawing on the remarkable stories of Bible Belt gays, Barton brings to the fore their thoughts, experiences and hard-won insights to explore the front lines of our national culture war over marriage, family, hate crimes, and equal rights. Pray the Gay Away illuminates their lives as both foot soldiers and casualties in the battle for gay rights.
LC Classification NumberHQ76.3.U5
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