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Androphilia by Jack Malebranche

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injest:
There are a group of us that are reading this book. Anyone that has read it is invited to come talk about it.

This book is controversial, and Mr. Malebranche pulls NO punches. But his viewpoint strikes a chord in a lot of men today and I think it would be interesting to hear what ya'll think of it.

A warning for the ladies, this book was written by a man FOR men...he comes off as a bit mysoginist....but I think he isn't intending to sound as harsh as he does. Remember he is not writing to you but to other men.

I am finding it very interesting...like overhearing a locker room conversation.

If you haven't read it...I highly recommend it!

http://www.jackmalebranche.com/hub/

injest:
one of the first things discussed in the book is the premise that women and men are different. While that may seem obvious, there are some interesting points.

We have started blurring gender roles in both public and private life. Traditional roles have been dropped for the most part. The family with the male breadwinner and the stay at home mom is rare today. While traditionally 'male' jobs...fire fighter, police...are held by a lot of women. Look at the very words...used to be fireman...now it fire fighter.

But we ARE different. Men are not women and women are not men. To say they are is to deny each their birthright.

So what is male? What is masculine?

One thing I do know...masculine is not a LOOK...it is only partly physical appearance...and that is not the most important part. Masculine comes from inside.

**

injest:
The other definition I am struggling over is what is the 'gay community'?

Is there such a thing? Maybe I am ignorant but there is the NAACP that kinda forms policy for the civil rights movement....what is the equivalent in the gay community? Who are the leaders?

I don't know that there is such a thing as a 'gay community' much as Plato said there is no demos...just a billion individual souls that sometimes come together to form policy for the benefit of the group...

Malebranche wants to seperate himself from the 'gay community'...how is that defined?

Shakesthecoffecan:
This sounds like a good read Jess, I will have to check it out. Some of the issues you have put up here are of interest to me. Men and women look at things so differently sometimes, neighter being the "right way" mind you, but there are so many area we are strangers.

And yeah, what is a gay community? After BBM, a different place that I would have described a few years ago. There is an article in the Washington Post that may have been posted here, Tom Shales writing about Brokeback and how it change things. I'll see if I can find it again.

injest:
I am so ambivalent about this book. Part of me is saying "Yes! Exactly!" and part of me is thinking I shouldn't agree with it. and if I do not to admit to it.

I have a problem with the victim mentality that has grown up in our society. Everyone seems to be a victim of something. or looking for something to be a victim OF! He preaches a lot of personal responsibility and how can you argue with that? But I can also see the other side where we NEED some degree of government intervention to prevent abuse.

He acknowledges that the advances in human rights for homosexuals (he rejects the term gay) have been brought about by the 'in your face' groups and grudging thanks them...while telling them to leave him alone.

I asked a gay man one time how to express the difference between (forgive me, I don't know how else to describe) the "Will and Grace" crowd and the "BBM" group...
his response is there is none and I was wrong to suggest that there was. That I was showing homophobia....

The question is not homophobic I don't think. I have had a very limited exposure to gay people. I am sure there are plenty around but not out...not in my group of acquaintences. My impression of gay people was what I saw on TV...and honestly, it wasn't good (to me). BBM was a revelation.

and yes I am aware I am rambling...be glad when the others join me! Garry is waiting to get his book in... :P

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