A Queer Geography: Journeys Toward a Sexual Self

by Frank Browning

This is the provocative question posed by Frank Browning in a A Queer Geography . In this contemporary classic of gay literature, now with a revised first chapter, Browning shows us that gay culture is more a fabrication of American identity politics than of actual sexual desire. He explores the gay psyche as he travels from the streets of Brooklyn to the hill of Kentucky, from France to the Bay of Naples. As he does so, he argues that roots of gay identity by showing how the Puritan compact led to the backroom bawdy house, how being "born again" is reenacted as "coming out," and how gay men's search for their own identity profoundly echoes American's relentless quest for a national identity of its own. In the end, he demonstrates that while homosexuality may be universal, "gay identity" is a twentieth-century creation already being challenged.

Genres: LGBT, Nonfiction, Queer, Theory, Essays, Gay, Psychology

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 2, 1996

About the author

Frank Browning is an American author and former correspondent for National Public Radio.

Reviews

[Victor Ayaay · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I find that what I call homsexual desire is not altogether desire for another man but for relationship of exploration.”

“At the crudest level it is the tacit, physical knowledge shared by the band of orgiasts who, as one of their members near climax, lock arms and thighs together with him, pressing themselves into a straining web of muscle and sinew not for their own release but at propelling him into greater, wilder ejaculatory pleasure.”

“‘ ‘We know him!’ I’m just another person. I just happen to be gay to them.’

Partially that is true because the gay movement has made it possible to talk openly about homosexual desire. Partially it is true because the comfort [one] feels in his own sexuality disarms those of his friends who don’t share his desires … And maybe mostly it is true because more and more have rejected a twisted, contorted morality of sex for an exploratory ethics of human sexual relations.“

[Hamza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing style is boring, hard to keep my attention while reading.

But very much worth the read. Browning explores love and what it means to be human via the lens as a gay man. He challenges that identity at the end as well.

As I ask myself what it means to love, I am told many things by this capitalist society. But have I ever truly asked my body what it wanted in this world? Do I stick to labels that stop me from deeply connecting with others? So many good quotes in this book, and well worth the read.

[Wade Burleson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the beginning chapters were super interesting, towards the end it got a bit more convoluted. Cool to see the evolution of gay identity over time and there are definitely lessons to be learned about how the queer rights movement has developed towards less personal exploration/liberation

[Alejandro]

The first few chapters where he visits Italy were really good. I really didn't care for the rest of the book. Check it out from the library but don't buy it.

[Albert RJ Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an eye opener. Thanks to Ayvi, the Khaleesi, for giving me this book :)