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All the Rage

The Story of Gay Visibility in America

Splashed against the tumultuous Clinton years and framed by the clash between gay political might and anti-gay activism, All the Rage presents the first authoritative guide to the new gay visibility. From the public outing of Ellen DeGeneres to the vicious murder of Matthew Shepard, gay lives and images have moved onto the center stage of American public life. Lesbians and gay men are indeed everywhere, from television sitcoms to Budweiser ads, from the White House to the Magic Kingdom. Combining personal stories with incisive analysis, Suzanna Danuta Walters chronicles this historic moment in our culture, arguing that we live in a time when gays are seen, but not necessarily known.

Many consider the new gay visibility a sign of social acceptance, while others charge that it is mere window dressing, obscuring the dogged persistence of discrimination. Walters moves beyond these positions and instead argues that these realities coexist: gays are simultaneously depicted as the sign of social decay and the chic flavor of the month. Taking on the common wisdom that visibility means progress, All the Rage maps the terrain on which gays are accepted as witty accessories in movies, gain access to political power, and yet still fall into constrictive stereotypes. Walters warns us with clarity and wit of the pitfalls of equating visibility with full integration into the fabric of American society. From the playful TV fantasies of lesbian weddings on Friends to the very real obstacles confronting gay marriage, from the award-winning comedy Will & Grace to Bible-thumping radio superhost Dr. Laura, All the Rage takes on naive celebrants and jaded naysayers alike. With a sophisticated mix of caution and optimism, it provides an illuminating guide through these exciting, controversial times.

Reviews

"After introducing readers to the main threats to birds and regions at high risk, Bird Watch presents a visually stunning and scientifically accurate flight over the major bird habitats."—Guardian

Guardian

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Prologue
Part One: It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times
1. The Love That Dares to Speak Its Name: The Explosion of Gay Visibility
2. Pride and Prejudice: The Changing Context of Gay Visibility
Part Two: A Kiss Is Just a Kiss
3. Ready for Prime Time? TV Comes Out of the Closet
4. Dossier on Ellen
5. All Gay, All the Time?
Part Three: Coming Soon To a Theater Near You
6. Hiding, Dying, and Dressing-Up
7. Out Is In: Liberal Narratives for the Nineties
Part Four: In the Family Way
8. Wedding Bell Blues: Imagining Marriage
9. Mom, I’ve Got Something to Tell You: The Coming-Out Story in the Age of Visibility
10. It Takes a Lesbian Village to Raise a Child: Parenting Possibilities
Part Five: Money Makes the World Go Round
11. Consuming Queers: Advertising and the Gay Market
12. If It’s Pink We’ll Sell It: Gay Entrepreneurship
Conclusion: Beyond Visibility (Welcome to Our Rainbow World)
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Awards

ForeWord Magazine: ForeWord Magazine Book Awards
Shortlist

Lambda Literary Foundation: Lambda Literary Awards
Shortlist

The Publishing Triangle: Publishing Triangle: Shilts/Grahn Award for Gay/Lesbian Nonfiction
Shortlist

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