Straight Jacket

A bit less interesting than [b:The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man's World 49418 The Velvet Rage Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man's World Alan Downs https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442026718l/49418.SX50.jpg 48337] and perhaps a lot more depressing, this book shows the state of the occidental gay world and the damages caused by depression, drugs, addictions, ... explored through the lens of the childhood trauma we encounter growing up in a world that still doesn't let us be who we are.Nevertheless this book was really insightful, as I learned a lot about some of the coping mechanisms I used through years: alcohol (of course), sex (as validation) and sometimes relationships. Understanding where I came from, why I acted in some ways and what were the root causes was really interesting and I learned a lot. I'm also so grateful to have evolved by seeking help when I was at rock bottom and to not have fallen in worse addictions.Not all depressing, this book provides also solutions to our problems: a focus on real LGBT education within schools, LGBT places where people could meet and talk, exchange as human beings and not potential baits, places reserved for young LGBT to allow them to mind people of their age and form bonds, questioning also our behavior and the things we don't want to face (sex and drugs addictions hidden behind a “sex positive” discourse for example, accepting the rampant depression between LGBT and not trying to hide it, ...). There's still a lot of things to work on and while things have evolved during the last years, the road ahead is still quite long. But I really hope that one day, young LGBT people will be able to learn who they are without having to go through so much hurt, hiding and lies. Until then, I'm crossing fingers and will try to do what I can on my side.“Like the Terminator, we learn to scan new environments for potential threats. Can we be ourselves? Do we have to tone down our mannerisms? Can we mention our partners? Is this bus safe for us? Can I come out in this new job?”