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Beyond The Down LowReviews of BEYOND THE DOWN LOW A New York Times bestseller! "Boykin adds a great deal of balance to a debate that has been aflame for years. It is impossible to come away from this book without a greater appreciation for the humanity of black men generally and for those who -- because of shame, fear and stigma -- act in unethical ways that may have grave consequences for their partners. This is a crucial step toward breaking the silences and false expectations about sexuality and race that have us all imprisoned." — Washington Post "An astute, clear-eyed look at a complex issue...Keith Boykin's new book is an excellent analysis of a complex social and sexual phenomenon. Beginning his book with a foreword from novelist E. Lynn Harris, Boykin seems to suggest that the sex, lies and denial of "Beyond the Down Low" possess elements stranger than fiction. About this he is correct...Certainly, one of the many values of this book is that Boykin reveals the elasticity of the term 'down low.'...He brings precision and depth to a public discussion of black sexual mores and their relationship to the transmission of AIDS in black communities." — Atlanta Journal-Constitution "With amazing candor and wisdom backed by some serious research and social analysis, [Boykin] takes on the media-hyped 'down-low' theory that black men who cheat on their wives or girlfriends by screwing other guys are demons behind the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS in the black community." — Time Out New York "Keith Boykin writes about three of the most explosive topics in America culture - sex, race and politics - from a cool, rational perspective. His new book, "Beyond the Down Low: Sex, Lies, and Denial in Black America," throws no gas on an emotional issue. Instead, Boykin wants to study it honestly and, rather than simplify, admit its complexity. " — St. Louis Post-Dispatch "A major part of Boykin’s work is answering half-truths and distortions. Boykin’s new book, Beyond The Down Low, blisteringly vivisects the ‘down low” media hype." — Crisis Magazine "Boykin, an Ivy League-educated journalist/commentator and former White House aide, thankfully applies reason to this controversy. The result is both personal memoir and thorough analysis. This issue has special significance for the African American community, and Boykin discusses the role of sexuality in that community with a rare frankness. Taking on an investigator's role, he dismantles the hyperbole usually attending such matters. Most readers will also appreciate the honesty with which Boykin describes his own life. All these factors make for a riveting read that deserves the widest audience." — Library Journal "Boykin lucidly draws on science as well as personal experience in this important book. And while many of the cultural manifestations of black sexuality that Boykin documents here are fascinating—e.g., references to the DL (which Boykin defines as cheating on a partner regardless of one’s sexuality) in popular music—the power of his book comes from his impassioned call to examine the real facts of sexual behavior and HIV transmission." — Publishers Weekly "Activist author and former Clinton aide on gay issues Keith Boykin casts a cold eye on the hot-button issue of the down low. He relives his own DL hookups, raps against hip-hop homophobia and calls out former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey as a DL honky. By the end, he’s buried stereotypes and unearthed the true social forces driving the culture of sexual secrecy and brotherly love." — POZ Magazine "The book examines and challenges most of the assumptions built into the media hype surrounding the down low and its connection to HIV transmission...The book does talk about the need for love as a way of meeting head-on and helping to heal the emotional anguish caused by AIDS. But as its subtitle suggests—Sex, Lies and Denial in Black America—its primary aim is to itself confront head-on the problematic attitudes among much of the African-American community that Boykin argues seriously damage black America's ability to cope effectively with the medical and social issues posed by AIDS." — A&U Magazine |
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One More River to CrossReviews of ONE MORE RIVER TO CROSS "An important addition to the dialogue of tolerance this nation needs to embrace." — Boston Globe "Shows with quiet but unassailable logic how prejudice can flourish
in any part of the culture and prevent everyone from crossing that final
river." "Hits or at least glances off all the topics involved with being black and gay or lesbian. It's a damned difficult task. Yet One More River to Cross is nothing if not lucid . . . [Keith Boykin's] book sparkles with frankness and intelligence." — Randall Kenan, The Advocate "This tell-it-like-it-is book will affirm our faith and the unity
of our diversity in the home in that rock we proudly call Black America."
"A very significant contribution to America's ability to understand itself in all its dimensions." — U.S. Congressman Barney Frank One More River to Cross is available in most bookstores and from Internet book sellers. The book was originally published in hard cover (US $23.95/$32.95 CAN, ISBN 0‑385‑47982‑4) and is now available in paperback (US $14.00/$19.95 CAN, ISBN 0‑385‑47983‑2). |
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Respecting the SoulWith a unique insight for each day of the calendar year, Respecting
The Soul will provoke, inspire, and empower you with the words and
stories of people like Alvin Ailey, Respecting the Soul: Daily Reflections for Black Lesbians and Gays is published by Avon Books (U.S. $10, $14.50 CAN, ISBN 0‑380‑80021‑7). |
KEITH'S BOOKSKeith is the author of three books and a contributor to six other books. His most recent book, Beyond the Down Low, was released in February 2005 and immediately shot to the New York Times best-seller list. Keith writes daily commentary on politics, pop culture and current events on his web site and writes a monthly column called "Keith Boykin's 411," which tackles issues of politics, race, and sexuality. His highly acclaimed first book, One More River to Cross: Black and Gay in America, has been used in college and graduate school courses throughout the country. His second book, Respecting the Soul: Daily Reflections for Black Lesbians and Gays, won the 1999 Lambda Literary Award for Spirituality. KEITH'S OTHER WRITINGSKeith's writings are published in several other books, including Freedom In This Village (2004), I Do/I Don't (2004), The Politics of Gay Rights (2000), Hostile Climate (2000), Dangerous Liaisons (1999), Gay Men at the Millennium (1997) and Atonement (1996). He also worked on the 1988 book, 100 Successful College Application Essays. He has written for the San Francisco Chronicle, the St. Petersburg Times, Black Issues Book Review, The Advocate, The Crisis, and several other publications. KEITH AS EDITORAt Harvard Law School, Keith was a general editor of the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review, and at Dartmouth College, he was editor-in-chief of The Dartmouth daily newspaper, the oldest college newspaper in America. ADVICE FOR WRITERSFor new writers, Keith provides advice for first time authors. READ KEITH'S EARLY WRITINGSA Poem for the Millennium March Anatomy of A Media Frenzy: The Downlow On "The Down Low" Black and postgay, from The Advocate Blacks and Gays in Conflict: An Interview with U.S. Representative Barney Frank, from Dangerous Liaisons: Blacks, Gays, and the Struggle for Equality Blacks in the American Gay Rights Movement, from Encarta Africana Gays and The Million Man March Just As He Is: An Interview with E. Lynn Harris Race, Crime and the Law, from Boston University Public Interest Law Journal Reflection, from Hostile Climate 2000: Report on Anti-Gay Activity Ruth Ellis's Tale of Two Cities: A Modern Fairy Tale in Black & White, from SBC 'Twas The Night Of The Election Where Do We Go From Here? |
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James Baldwin, Lorraine Hansberry,
E. Lynn Harris, Audre Lorde, RuPaul, and hundreds of others. It's also
a great gift for friends and family members dealing with issues of sexual
orientation.