The Tolerance Trap

345 Pages·2014·2.939 MB·English

by  Walters, Suzanna Danuta

THE T OL ER A NCE T R A P
S U Z A N N A D A N U T A W A L T E R S
T H E
T O L E R A N C E
T R A P
How God, Genes, and Good Intentions
Are Sabotaging Gay Equality
a
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY PRESS
New York and London
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY PRESS
New York and London
www.nyupress.org
© 2014 by New York University
All rights reserved
References to Internet websites (URLs) were accurate at the time of writing.
Neither the author nor New York University Press is responsible for URLs
that may have expired or changed since the manuscript was prepared.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Walters, Suzanna Danuta.
The tolerance trap : how God, genes, and good intentions are sabotaging
gay equality / Suzanna Danuta Walters.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8147-7057-3 (hardback)
1. Gay rights. 2. Tolerance. 3. Equality. I. Title.
HQ76.5.W35 2014
323.3'264 — dc23 2013045557
New York University Press books are printed on acid-free paper,
and their binding materials are chosen for strength and durability.
We strive to use environmentally responsible suppliers and materials
to the greatest extent possible in publishing our books.
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Also available as an ebook
For my fabulous daughter, Emma
and in memory of my equally fabulous mother, Marianne
This page intentionally left blank
I’m not willing to just be tolerated. That wounds my love
of love and of liberty.
—Jean Cocteau
This page intentionally left blank
CONTENTS
Introduction: That’s So Gay! (Or Is It?) 1
PART I: THE END OF COMING OUT?
1. Once upon a Time 19
2. Coming Out Is So Last Year 36
3. The Closet 2.0 63
PART II: DO THESE GENES MAKE ME LOOK GAY?
4. The Medical Gayz 81
5. Dangerous Liaisons 97
6. You Say Nature, I Say Nurture . . .
Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off 115
PART III: CITIZEN GAY
7. Homeland Insecurities 145
8. Better Put a Ring on It 173
9. In the Family Way 206
ix