Proust, Cole Porter, Michelangelo, Marc Almond and Me

The National Lesbian and Gay Survey commissions writings by lesbians and gay men on various topics concerned with their lives and lifestyles. "Proust, Cole Porter, Michelangelo, Marc Almond and Me" reflects the diversity of the submissions received from the gay male volunteers and records observations on such themes as their earliest perceptions of homosexuality, and coming to terms with their own sexuality. The diversity lies in the great variety of experiences encountered. While most gay men seem to have a clear idea of the homosexuality from an early age, some do not make this discovery until later in life. "Proust, Cole Porter, Michelangelo, Marc Almond and Me" also charts the gay male experience of having to deal with the laws which until 1967 made it a criminal offence in England and Wales for men to have sexual relationships with one another. This led on one level to overt political action; on another level, the result was to form a subculture around public lavatories and other public places - and "Proust, Cole Porter, Michelangelo, Marc Almond and Me" gives frank details of this experience too. The book also addresses gay reactions, both negative and positive, to HIV and AIDS.