As she’d suspected, Angela wanted to know what this was all about, but Sally had already made up her mind that she wasn’t going to discuss a matter of such vital importance over the phone. She therefore evaded the question, instead reiterating that they really needed to meet face to face - and as soon as possible please. One of the best books we have ever read. Honest, thought provoking and much needed. Q Scene magazine On the other hand, it essentially reads like a list of reasons that being gay is difficult. It's not an uplifting book, and I was hoping it would be. I was hoping there might be some tips and advice about living as your true self etc. Instead, what we get is a small section towards the end aimed at helping people with serious addictions. It's useful for them, and might save lives, but doesn't really ever go much broader than that. In fact, it sort of feels like a lot of this book was catharsis for its author, written primarily about his own experiences (there's nothing wrong with that) and his own views on how to overcome the immense difficulties he's faced - but it's another thing when you're then proclaiming that this is the way to overcome 'Gay Shame'. It really didn't do that. And we should respond by continuing to proclaim the better story. Todd shares about some of the routes to recovery that have been helpful to him and others, highlighting especially the role that Twelve Steps groups can play. It’s a good thing that Todd and others have found significant help in these various forms of support. Each form of support is an example of God’s generosity to humanity (what theologians call ‘common grace’). But as Christians we have better and even more powerful answers to offer.

Straight Jacket by Matthew Todd (Paperback) – Queer Lit Straight Jacket by Matthew Todd (Paperback) – Queer Lit

It concerns a matter that we need to discuss, the outcome of which could be beneficial to both of us.” So what makes you think I won’t tell anyone about this little perversion of yours? And what exactly has this got to do with work?”

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Matthew Todd thought he had long since dealt with the demons surrounding his sexuality. In [his] new book, he reveals the crisis of shame facing the gay community – and how to solve it. The Observer While I think Matthew does a good job of describing some underlying problems and issues that a lot of LGBTQ+ people have due to being in the closet and being ashamed for a lot of our lives, he then seems to lose his way a bit when delving into more detailed information about addiction and recovery. How about I come round tomorrow evening, after work? I’ll bring a bottle of wine if you like, and we can get a takeaway. ” Unfortunately, the book is not so strong when he steps away from his personal experiences. He is not a therapist so he quotes 'The Velvet Rage' - the best and most famous book - on the impact of childhood shame on grown gay men, rather than being able to update it (Velvet Rage was written over fifteen years ago) or provide a specifically UK take. A lot of the time, he feels like he is reporting on specific issues - for example, homophobic bullying at school, body image issues - and he explains at the end that a lot of the book started as magazine articles. I'm afraid it shows. Can we push the debate beyond that pass-the-joint thought experiment where the world is gay and therefore humanity comes to an end? Like, gay people know how reproduction works, you know. We could make more people if we felt like it? Who knows how we got in this situation where everyone is gay, because it’s not a phenomenon that seems to naturally occur beyond like 5-10% of the population, but as soon as we started having kids again, they’d more likely than not be straight, no? Setting aside how many philosophers have made the powerful argument that consciousness is a mistake anyway and we should let ourselves die out, you know? Why is making kids so great? My point is: I am RSVPing "No" to your baby shower :P

Straight Jacket - Penguin Books UK

No Ange, I don’t want to be released just yet. When we go to the party I’ll be in this for several hours, so I want to make sure it’s comfortable over a period of time. I’d be grateful if you’d leave me like this for the rest of the evening please.” Of course I’ll help you Sal. I still think it’s a daft idea, but if your heart is set on it, then who am I to stand in your way? I bet no one else would be such a fool as to help you out!”

My criticism of the book is that the honest portrayal of gay life could well terrify young readers. It did paint a pretty bleak picture, it was honest and accurate but .... As somebody who has fortunately never experienced a harmful addiction, I couldn't relate to most of this book and didn't find it particularly helpful. There are a lot of very dark, grim stories which might terrify some people, even in an unhelpful way. I can't help but feel that when Todd were writing this book, further research and input from people with different experiences should have been included. If this book is targeted only at cis gay men, then other cis gay men should have been consulted (not just anecdotally) on their own experiences of growing up gay and how this has affected them in later life. But I also think this book should have been even longer, more comprehensive, and equally (and not, as is the case, just in passing) included voices from other queer people, especially women and trans people, who really barely get a mention. I think that's a mistake. This book could easily have had a broader reach discussing queer shame in its entirety.

Straight Jacket by Marcus Skinner | Goodreads Straight Jacket by Marcus Skinner | Goodreads

Sitting Amy down on the bare concrete floor, Jenny wrapped lengths of rope that she’d retrieved from the bag, as specified by her increasingly immobile detainee, around the ankles and either side of her knee joints. The ball-gag was large and fitted tightly into Amy’s willingly opened mouth, and was soon strapped irremovably in place. Sally was about to apologise for asking so much of her friend, but suddenly realised that Angela was smiling broadly. One of the most powerful books, sensitively and elegantly written, I think, that I have ever read. Lord Michael Cashman CBE Yes that’s right, Sally had a secret passion for bondage. In other words, she wanted to be tied up so that she couldn’t escape. Ropes, chains, handcuffs, tape; you name it, Sally had a fantasy about being held captive in all manner of inescapable bonds. And this longing to be held in unbreakable restraints had been a constant obsession with the attractive twenty one year old ever since she could remember. The director uses B&W lighting effectively, especially toward the end, to create suspense and a sense of mystery. Rearview projection in a few scenes makes the film look dated.

A really brilliant and moving read for everybody, especially LGBTQI+ people’– Olly Alexander, star of It’s A Sin Look, I need to speak to you urgently...it’s about something that’s cropped up at work... and it can’t wait until Monday.” Important story events occur off-screen, consistent with effective plot misdirection. Viewers are thus led down the garden path, but rewarded at the end. Clues are effectively subtle. The book everyone is talking about… This is probably the most important thing I’ll ever read as a gay man. Full of profundity and fearless honesty. Calum McSwiggan, Youtuber, Calum McSwiggan, Youtuber Sally, of course, was not yet content, as there were other, much more important straps to secure before the she would be satisfied.