A Lavender Look at the Temple: A Gay Perspective of the Peoples Temple

by Michael Bellefountaine

For most of its history, the Peoples Temple existed under the radar. Most had never even heard of the church until news of the tragic deaths of more than nine hundred men, women, and children in the jungles of Guyana broke in November of 1978. The lives and deaths of the members of the Peoples Temple are ones that remain mostly misunderstood to this day. And for the gay and lesbian members and their families, the truth is sometimes even harder to find.

Author Michael Bellefountaine — an activist, a scholar, and proud member of the gay community — provides a new perspective of the Temple. His detailed research into the inner workings of the Peoples Temple is presented, with a special look at the lives of the gay and lesbian members of the Peoples Temple community. Their stories illustrate how their lives were influenced and affected by Jones and his "acceptance" of their sexuality. Bellefountaine looked deep into the historical connection between Jim Jones's Peoples Temple and the city of San Francisco, as well as the connection San Francisco's first gay councilman, Harvey Milk, had with the Peoples Temple.

The power that acceptance — even false acceptance — can have on people is explored through the detailed accounts of members of the temple community. He tells the very human stories of those who died in Jonestown as well as how those who survived the horror and their families were deeply affected by the tragedy of November 18, 1978 — and what we can learn from this event.

Genres: Nonfiction

104 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2011

Reviews

[Carl Ferguson-Zamora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I was very impressed and touched by the research into the lives of the People’s Temple’s gay and lesbian members. It is nice to see that the church accepted them but then terrible of what happened once they joined. I have read many accounts of Jonestown and I like how the author says at the end of the book that no one knows exactly who was responsible for Jonestown. I have to agree that it was a combination of all. But I will say that it is interesting to note how a lot of the punishments are very reminiscent of the MK ultra programs that the CIA conducted on people during that time. Deprivation tanks, psychological trauma, physical beatings and drugs. Where did they get all of these ideas and things to punish with? I guess we will never know for sure. But I am leaning in agreement with the Black Panthers stance on what happened in Jonestown.

[Jessica]

Very well written

just wish it had been longer. Very interesting insight into Jonestown. I would consider this an important academic work. mm

[Annie Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent insight into the lives of LGBTQI people within Jim Jones' Peoples Temple as well as the relationship between Harvey Milk and the Temple.

[Super Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very impressed with this book considering the author‘s mother finished it after he passed away. This was a very sensitive and very eye-opening. Look at peoples temple from the queer perspective. This is essential reading about Jonestown and the mass murder that followed. May the victims rest in peace.