What do you think?
Rate this book
If It's A Choice, My Zygote Chose Balls: Making Sense of Senseless Controversy
Jeremy Hooper's Good As You website (www.GoodAsYou.org) is known for blending passion and wit, making the case for LGBT equality worldwide. In If It's a Choice, My Zygote Chose Balls: Making Sense of Senseless Controversy, Jeremy continues that style, blending a unique mix of memoir and social commentary that argues for equal rights based on relatable human principles.
Hooper leads readers through his own life story, revealing the positive and unnecessarily encumbered aspects of growing up gay in contemporary society. The noted author and activist writes in a sometimes humorous, sometimes serious, but always sharply informed style, opening a window into the realities of family rejection and acceptance. Whether offering direct guidance for would-be straight allies or sharing the inner monologue of a boy who knew who he was long before early adulthood would allow him to own it, Hooper provides a wealth of insight and argument to push the equality conversation forward.
"From constant talk about marriage to the popular parlor game 'Which celebrity is gay?' our world is, in many ways, obsessed with LGBT topics," says Hooper. "However, there is serious neglect in terms of actually tackling the issues at hand. I want to address the weighty topics head on, but in a relatable way."
As someone who spends ten to twelve daily hours slogging through the "culture war" for his celebrated website, Jeremy Hooper knows better than anyone how far the LGBT community still has to go in order to obtain full equality. At the same time, his focused lens had led him to believe that some of the usual LGBT activism has isolated the fight and stories, leaving much of the continued struggle to go unrealized by the population at large. So Hooper's answer is to present relatable tales that are just as proactive in changing hearts and minds as any textbook gay rights treatment, but doing so in a package that pops with universal heart and wit. Hooper calls out the B.S. for what it is, while keeping an equal focus on uniting folks from all walks of life for the common causes of peace, equality, acceptance, and, ironically enough-family values. All of this while remembering to keep his tongue in or around the cheek region.
Written to engage and entertain, as well as inspire further discussion and action, the book is aimed at a wide range of readers interested and open to learning.
Hooper leads readers through his own life story, revealing the positive and unnecessarily encumbered aspects of growing up gay in contemporary society. The noted author and activist writes in a sometimes humorous, sometimes serious, but always sharply informed style, opening a window into the realities of family rejection and acceptance. Whether offering direct guidance for would-be straight allies or sharing the inner monologue of a boy who knew who he was long before early adulthood would allow him to own it, Hooper provides a wealth of insight and argument to push the equality conversation forward.
"From constant talk about marriage to the popular parlor game 'Which celebrity is gay?' our world is, in many ways, obsessed with LGBT topics," says Hooper. "However, there is serious neglect in terms of actually tackling the issues at hand. I want to address the weighty topics head on, but in a relatable way."
As someone who spends ten to twelve daily hours slogging through the "culture war" for his celebrated website, Jeremy Hooper knows better than anyone how far the LGBT community still has to go in order to obtain full equality. At the same time, his focused lens had led him to believe that some of the usual LGBT activism has isolated the fight and stories, leaving much of the continued struggle to go unrealized by the population at large. So Hooper's answer is to present relatable tales that are just as proactive in changing hearts and minds as any textbook gay rights treatment, but doing so in a package that pops with universal heart and wit. Hooper calls out the B.S. for what it is, while keeping an equal focus on uniting folks from all walks of life for the common causes of peace, equality, acceptance, and, ironically enough-family values. All of this while remembering to keep his tongue in or around the cheek region.
Written to engage and entertain, as well as inspire further discussion and action, the book is aimed at a wide range of readers interested and open to learning.
238 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2012
6 people are currently reading
465 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy Hooper
2 books52 followersSince founding Good As You (www.GoodAsYou.org) in 2005, Jeremy Hooper has garnered a reputation as a fresh voice in the worlds of Internet publishing and activism. With a background geared both towards entertainment and advocacy, he approaches LGBT issues with a showman’s spirit, pointing out perceived wrongdoings and follies with the clever exuberance of a seasoned jester. Both Hooper and his website have been profiled in the gay and lesbian newsmagazine The Advocate, featured on the PBS program In the Life, on the Logo network, on Sirius radio, and across every corner of the web. As a sought-after consultant, strategist, and speaker, he has worked with leading national organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD. Originally from Nashville, TN, the author now lives on the West Side of Manhattan with his husband, Andrew, and the couple’s unbelievably adorable dog, Bosley.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 13, 2012
Of course I was going to read this book (I have read it twice so far). Jeremy is my son-in-law and I have a gay son. My first read left me in awe of Jeremy's amazing use of language while presenting a poignant and clear portrait of the gay rights movement. I was a little nervous reading it for the first time, not only for fear of finding typos (that I knew would annoy the heck out of my perfectionist son-in-law), but worried if I would follow it all or maybe find out something that Jeremy felt that I didn't know how to handle. I made it through, laughing and crying and knowing that this is a wonderful book.
The second read gave me much more. Free of the burdens of looking for typos or scary secrets, I enjoyed the read as a book in which the author is advocating decency for everyone; whether it be for the gay man or lesbian woman or the teenager who is bullied on the playground or the African American or Jew who is subtly kept out of some loop.
This book is a must read for human beings who want to learn, laugh, and feel in touch with the goodness that all humans can and should feel and hopefully demonstrate.
Susan Shulman
The second read gave me much more. Free of the burdens of looking for typos or scary secrets, I enjoyed the read as a book in which the author is advocating decency for everyone; whether it be for the gay man or lesbian woman or the teenager who is bullied on the playground or the African American or Jew who is subtly kept out of some loop.
This book is a must read for human beings who want to learn, laugh, and feel in touch with the goodness that all humans can and should feel and hopefully demonstrate.
Susan Shulman
November 10, 2012
I cannot recommend this book enough. As an educator, and as an aware adult and citizen, I believe that this book should be read by every high-school student. And then let the recommendations and dialogue ensue. Yes, dialogue. Not enough information is available from persons who have the experience, the intelligence, the real-world insight, and the wit and relatability of Mr. Hooper. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll smile, you'll see light bulbs flashing above your head, but more than anything, you'll find yourself THINKING. Don't put off reading this book and enjoying all that it has to say about a future which includes love and respect for your fellow citizens. Then buy a copy for everyone on your holiday list. And encourage those individuals to give a copy to everyone they know and respect, and eventually everyone will have a copy, and the cost of supplying our schools with sufficient copies will be a non-issue.
September 1, 2012
As a mom of a gay son, I loved this book because it walked me through the experiences of a gay man from his childhood to his marriage. Jeremy Hooper shared his story in a heartfelt, witty, and thoughtful way. His book made me laugh, cry, and, most importantly, encouraged me to be a voice for equality for the LGBT community. This book came to me at just the right time, and I am grateful! It's a must read for any member of the LGBT community and their supporters who want to be a positive force in the cause of LGBT equality.
April 13, 2013
I loved this book! Jeremy was able to join humor and common sense in this wonderful book! I think everyone needs to read this book, the world will be a better place! This book can really open the eyes of many people that fear the LGBT community simply because they do not understand it. I've seen that fear and hatred sent my way, but I've also been really glad to see that there are a lot of wonderful people out there that may not embrace the lifestyle, but let us be ourselves and show us as much respect as anyone else. That being said, there is still a long way to go before the LGBT community is treated just like any other American, with the same basic rights. Jeremy's journey is a very common one, and a lot of people don't realize just how difficult it is to grow up being gay, bisexual, lesbian, or transgender. A lot of straight people also don't know how incredibly ...gasp... NORMAL we are! The heartbreak of proposition 8 cancelling Jeremy and Andrew's wedding plans hit me hard. No person should have to fight so hard to marry the person they love! I was thrilled with the acceptance Andrew's family showed, and I truly hope Jeremy's side came around eventually! I would be proud to call both of them family!
April 1, 2013
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway. Being a supporter of marriage equality and gay rights, I enjoyed reading "If It's a Choice..." greatly. Jeremy Hooper shows, through prose and example, that the average LGBT person wants nothing more than a fair shake from life. As much a memoir as a call to action, this book provides as much entertainment in the form of humor as it oes insight into the anti-gay movement, it's myriad motivations, and why we should not ale it seriously.
If I do have a criticism of this wonderful book, it s the language used. I'm not referring to profanity, which is used sparingly, but Mr. Hooper's colloquialisms and vernacular. The author plays it fast and loose with clichés and invented terms (such as "mo'foes"), which are amusing in small odes, but make reading the book a bit of a chore a times.
Otherwise this is an excellent book. 5/5 stars.
If I do have a criticism of this wonderful book, it s the language used. I'm not referring to profanity, which is used sparingly, but Mr. Hooper's colloquialisms and vernacular. The author plays it fast and loose with clichés and invented terms (such as "mo'foes"), which are amusing in small odes, but make reading the book a bit of a chore a times.
Otherwise this is an excellent book. 5/5 stars.
May 31, 2013
A pretty humorous memoir/homily about equality. I really enjoyed the parts that were more sincere and heartfelt; I felt like the book could use a few less George Takei-esque puns. (Jeremy may have been doing them longer than George, granted.)
Want to read
June 5, 2012I've been reading the website for years, and I look forward to reading Jeremy's new book.
November 24, 2013
What a lovely book. I have enjoyed reading Jeremy Hooper's column Goodasyou for awhile and was glad I got to read his book. He is intelligent, witty and charming. I hope he writes more books.
August 27, 2020
The book is excellently written and researched by the way. I am sorry for Jeremy that he had to experience the same family rejection that so many others have, but thankful he found a mate whose family welcomed him with open arms and that everything seemed to have worked out in his favor in the end, and all these many years later.
The sandpaper song was hilarious and also very familiar. I try to shave before I get to smoochville, and hope the person to whom I share a kiss did the same. It does feel as painful if not more than the pain on the roof of your mouth when you eat Cap'n Crunch cereal. It's not pleasant, but the song made me laugh, especially considering it was sung to me by the narrator of the audio version which I was listening to while the words he was speaking were highlighted in the book as he read. I highly recommend adding the audio to the Kindle version if you can.
The sandpaper song was hilarious and also very familiar. I try to shave before I get to smoochville, and hope the person to whom I share a kiss did the same. It does feel as painful if not more than the pain on the roof of your mouth when you eat Cap'n Crunch cereal. It's not pleasant, but the song made me laugh, especially considering it was sung to me by the narrator of the audio version which I was listening to while the words he was speaking were highlighted in the book as he read. I highly recommend adding the audio to the Kindle version if you can.
October 17, 2012
Having followed Mr. Hooper's blog for about a year, I was excited to hear he had a book forthcoming. When I at last had it in hand, I was not disappointed. Mr. Hooper's humor shines through as expected. While his story is at times heartbreaking (and all too familiar), the grace, levity, and humanity with which he recounts his tale is refreshing, and makes this book an easy read. It is a volume I have eagerly recommended to family members who are struggling to reconcile their modern mainstream Christian beliefs with the knowledge that one of their relatives is gay. In that respect, it is not only an entertaining and enlightening read, it's also a very useful tool for dealing with family who are struggling with acceptance.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews