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Overview
It started as a class project—a young, married, small-town white woman interviewing a gay acquaintance and his circle of friends. From this developed a three-year exploration of the complexities of carrying on gay-straight friendships. This reflexive, thoughtful, and compellingly written study moves from gay bars to softball leagues to visits with families and friends, both gay and straight. During its course, the author develops a growing understanding of the differences between the two communities, the difficulties of developing bonds across groups, and the inherent rewards of seeking (and being) the Other in contemporary society. She explores sexuality, marriage, lifestyles, and the meanings of friendship, culminating in a boisterous dissertation defense attended by her new community of friends. As a study of a gay community, a narrative of personal development and change, and an exploration of the use of friendship in conducting research that transforms both participants and researcher, Tillmann-Healy's work will be compelling reading for scholars, students, and the broader community.
Synopsis
It started as a class project— a young, married, small-town white woman interviewing a gay acquaintance and his circle of friends. From this developed a three year exploration of the complexities of carrying on gay-straight friendships. This reflexive, thoughtful, and compellingly-written study moves from gay bars to softball leagues to visits with families and friends, both gay and straight. During its course, the author develops a growing understanding of the differences between the two communities, the difficulties of developing bonds across groups, and the inherent rewards of seeking (and being) the Other in contemporary society. She explores sexuality, marriage, lifestyles, and the meanings of friendship, culminating in a boisterous dissertation defense attended by her new community of friends. As a study of a gay community, a narrative of personal development and change, and an exploration of the use of friendship in conducting research that transforms both participants and researcher, Tillmann-Healy's work will be compelling reading for scholars, students, and the broader community.
Author Biography: Lisa M. Tillman-Healy is a recent Ph.D. in communication from University of South Florida and teaches at Rollins College.
Editorials
Instinct
Tillmann-Healy has written an easy-to-read narrative study that all began when [her husband] Doug started playing softball with a queer friend from work. Clear, compelling and vunerable, this book offers a real-life look at the tests, triumphs and ramifications of friendships between homos and heteros.— Aaron Hartzler
Pflagpole
A resource to some family or friends who are just coming to terms with their son as part of the gay community, or may be a guide to someone who wants to learn how to be a better straight ally.St. Petersburg Times
[This] compelling story... started out as a class project—studying a community of gay men living in Tampa—and ended up a narrative of personal experience, friendship and growth.— Samantha Puckett