Two versions of the review by Donald Boisvert in G&L Review eRIK, manager of a Lambda Rising store, and contributor to the yahoo group Rainbow_Readership posted this review:
Gay perspective: things our homosexuality tells us about the nature
of God and the universe
by Toby Johnson (2003; Alyson Books; 206 pgs.)
<**** of 5>
With a clear vision, Toby Johnson explores how being homosexual, and thus non-standard, allows us queers a unique view on religion, society, spirituality, sexuality, and gender roles. Embracing a variety of faiths and a range of progressive and feminist doctrines, he shapes a brave redefinition of how to live as gay and lesbian individuals, fully in tune with the concepts of God's whole nature. "Gay Perspective" is a thought-provoking volume, and is intended as such, to create a discourse for us to express in our relationship with the non-gay world in which we live. I found it quite inspiring, especially in its reaffirmation of simple truths that are easily forgotten in our modern world, and I heartily recommend it to anyone willing to imagine the world as a tapestry of beauty.
:) eRIK
Lori L. Lake, author of DIFFERENT DRESS, GUN SHY, UNDER THE GUN, and RICOCHET IN TIME http://www.LoriLLake.com., Associate Editor: http://www.JustAboutWrite.com, and Book Reviewer for: http://www.rondonaghe.com/Newsletter/Indy-NewsList.html, http://www.thegayread.com and http://www.midwestbookreview.com wrote this review:
GAY PERSPECTIVE: Things Our Homosexuality Tells Us about the Nature of God and the Universe --- 5 out of 5 ****
I don't tend to read a lot of non-fiction, and that which I do read I choose carefully. I am thankful I chose to read GAY PERSPECTIVE. This is a book full of hope and heart, and every person--gay or straight--would benefit from reading it. Toby Johnson, the author of the previous groundbreaking book, GAY SPIRITUALITY, takes his points from that earlier book one step further and delineates a careful examination of all the ways that an "outsider" perspective -- such as a non-heterosexual point of view -- allows for a unique and life-giving take on true spirituality, as opposed to old-time religion of superstition, fear, and exclusion. He includes chapters on how our homosexuality tells us things about: Life, Sex, Religion, the Church, God, and the World, and in so doing, weaves together a wonderful narrative about all the ways gay people can help society transcend ignorance and embrace true love and compassion.
In thoughtful, clear language, Johnson presents positive affirmation that the spiritual consciousness that gay people--indeed, all GLBTQ people--are now expressing is a vital and evolutionary step forward for everyone on the planet. No longer need we be trapped in meaningless, dogmatic, fear-based, or male-dominated religious practices. He writes, "It is not a negative, fatalistic, or materialistic secularism our homosexuality reveals to us, but a universe full of mystery, wonder, beauty, and magic" (p. 203). We "outsiders" have the opportunity to rise above that and lead the way for all people to a more loving, accepting, and spiritually fulfilling place.
Early on, Johnson says that gay men may find the book to be more about them than lesbians will. He indicates that since he is writing from the experience of a gay man, he doesn't assume to speak for women; however, as a lesbian reading this book, I found that the author accorded respect toward all women and advocated for a holistic and feminist view of relationships for all.
Author, psychotherapist, activist, and community organizer Toby Johnson is also a religious scholar and former Catholic monk. His experience and insight shine in this fantastic new book. I highly recommend it to anyone--gay or otherwise.
Living Traditions Online ran this review:
2003 is a fascinating year in the development of gay and lesbian culture. We have slowly transitioned from the radical days of gay liberation and seem, at times, to be plummeting towards a new conservativism nearly as fast as the governments and cultures that surround us. All too often we seem to emphasis how much the "same" we are as straight people, how similar we are in "so many ways". We even try to turn our long-term relationships into marriages, just like the good old straight world around us. The sad thing in this process is that we forget we are different. Whether we like it or not gay, lesbian and transgender people think differently, they have a different angle on the world equation. While we have many things in common with our straight brothers and sisters, being outsiders we have a unique worldview, a unique queer perspective.
Too often, especially as gay men, we think that this difference is primarily sexual and certainly gay men do have a very different approach to sex than straight men. However, sex and intimacy is where we begin, not where we end. Since we are sexual outsiders we bring a different view to questions of love, intimacy and society and well as to the big questions of religion and God.
This is where Toby Johnson comes in. Johnson is the well-respected author of Gay Spirituality (among other books) as well as the editor of White Crane, A Journal of Gay Men's Spirituality. His new book, Gay Perspective, examines the gay view of the world from the perspective of spirituality. It is a challenging and powerful read. Johnson challenges the notion that we should emphasis our sameness and explores what the "gay difference" means to us. He considers how we view the world, spirituality and our relationship to God through the unique lens of being gay.
Gay Perspective looks at the unfolding of the new spiritual worldview as illustrated in the ideas of such writers as Joseph Campbell and Teilhard de Chardin to name a couple and places us within the context of this spiritual evolutionary process.
So while the fight for equal rights and related issues are certainly significant, Johnson reminds us that our focus should also include our spirituality and we should not "sell ourselves short" by ignoring the uniqueness, beauty and power of our difference.
Gay Perspective is an easy read and sometimes like a good conversation with a long lost friend. It is gentle and kindly reminds us of our potentials and possibilities and nudges us forward towards the greater goal. This is an important work for the present timeÉ.
