Comments on: App State rejects Shepard memoir as too ‘homophobic’?

By: Clyde

Clyde — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:28:03 +0000

There are those who have been labeling people have struggled against racism for years “racist.” because they talk about race.

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:16:18 +0000

I read this book, it is homophobic and it subjects the same queer stereotypes of trying to fit into a heterosexual world onto its readers as many LGB Organizations. Judy Shepard never comes out and states that she is homophobic, but her blanket assumptions on the HIV/AIDS community, as well as her long lasting ties to HRC leave me to wonder just how progressive she is. If you haven’t read it please be my guest to see if you agree with me; however, if it was up to me and I was at App State, I would have also said that it was poorly written. It is trash, and meaningless among the current literary renaissance that is occurring in our current time.

By: Jay

Jay — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:41:23 +0000

I suspect that the homophobes here are those who rejected the book. I find it somewhat ironic the dismissal of Judy Shepard, a very articulate speaker and writer, as not accomplished enough a writer for Appalachian State’s literacy program. Quite apart from the fact that Appalachian State is not exactly Harvard, the kind of condescension apparent here seems simply a mask for bigotry. What an interesting new way to censor gay-positive material: claim that the book is homophobic. Disgusting.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:52:23 +0000

North Carolina is a pretty conservative state. Maybe the real reason for the rejection is that the book wasn’t homophobic enough for them.

By: CJS

CJS — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:30:09 +0000

Not having read the book, I would say that, of course, it is possible that it was not the ideal introductory book on the subject for the purposes of the school’s program.
But the school’s handling of the matter is clearly questionable. Why was the type of public statement that was made necessary? Do they always identify books they have rejected, and in a manner apparently intended to cast unsubstantiated aspersions?

By: Charlie

Charlie — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 04:53:14 +0000

I agree with the school, not because it’s homophobic, it really isn’t. I’ve read quite a few memoirs in my life–they suck. Not as far as interest goes but when it’s a first book and it’s a memoir the writing is usually very poor. IE. Anthony Rapp’s book was lackluster and left much to be desired. If they were going for a queer studies and history discussion then yes, but the point is to get students to read well known, highly acclaimed books.
While controversy is something that would be a good idea; a better, non memoir, book about queer activism and tribulation would be a great idea.

By: ChristopherH

ChristopherH — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:20:20 +0000

Good grief! This is beyond comprehensible. Through the foundation named in honor of her son, Judy Shepard has only been advocating and speaking on behalf of LGBT rights (especially hate crimes legislation), now, for over a decade. Her efforts helped gain passage of the 2009 Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. She was even present when President Obama SIGNED the act into law.

And the book was CO-WRITTEN with the Advocate Editor-in-Chief, I am highly skeptical of these intimations of homophobic passages.

What better spokesperson exists?