“The New Joy of Gay Sex”– fun but outdated

Silverstein, Dr. Charles and Picano, Felice. “The New Joy of Gay Sex”, HarperCollins, 2002.

Fun but Outdated

Amos Lassen

Let me say from the get-go that “The New Joy of Gay Sex” is not a how-to book. It is a comprehensive look at gay sex in all of its aspects (as well as some I had not ever thought about like sex with animals). The book has a lot of useful information and answers many questions. Originally published in 1977 at which time gay men were not in vogue (at least not to the degree we are now), this book has been the only concise look at our sexually lives. Silverstein and Picano have updated their original book and kept the wonderful illustrations that were part of the original. The drawings are wonderful but some have been altered and look a bit cartoonish.

It is objectively written and only preaches about subjects that are unhealthy. Keeping in mind that the original was written before the AIDS epidemic, a great deal had to be revamped and completely rewritten to include safer-sex techniques. The authors have a beautiful outlook at sex and tell us that if we follow the guideless for safer-sex, we can lead a healthy and satisfying sexual life. The information on AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases is not only extremely helpful and answers all of the questions that anyone may have.

I did feel that the book is geared to those who live for sex and sex alone. Although the book deals with subjects such as relationships and rejection, it does so lightly while it spends a good bit of time on cock size, sleazy sex and frottage, for example. Also as a reference book, there should be citations of which there are not.

“The New Joy of Gay Sex’ is well written and very understandable.