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"In 2025 Straight-Acting Masculinity Flows Down from the Top"

   "It’s apparently been wishful thinking that thought our culture was moving beyond the straight role that was necessary to keep patriarchy going in the U.S. When I wrote Scared Straight: Why It’s So Hard to Accept Gay People and Why It’s So Hard to be Human over twenty years ago, I remember I had hope then that my analysis would be outdated by now.
   But, on the contrary, as an academic friend who studies masculinity told me recently, that analysis is even more relevant today with the political victories of the old straight-acting masculinity in politics, the renewed down-grading of all things feminine, the media obsession with something they tout as click-bait: the “crisis of masculinity” in boys, and the reactionary and militant embrace by the religious right-wing of a warrior culture that ignores the Jesus of the Gospels.
   For a while it was labelled “toxic masculinity” as if it were one version of the masculine gender role that dominated patriarchy, but that label was beaten down by those defending this masculinity itself, a masculinity that’s central to the straight role conditioned into boys and girls. So what is it today that’s the same old “scared straight” that we are now seeing proudly performed and rewarded by the US President, the Secretary of Defense and the rest of his regime, the president’s brown shirts in ICE, their sycophants, and those who were captivated enough to vote for these paragons of straightness?
   This straight role is not inherent in heterosexuality or absent from homosexuality. Sexual orientations, we understand, are, as best we can know and as researchers point out, inborn, genetic, God-given, or at least established way before one realizes to whom they are attracted...."

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Recent Comments:

"I see little discussion in the coast press that equals the thinking of Bob Minor ('Minor Details') including his, in this issue, saying that we must go beyond just calling bigots hypocrites - the religion itself has to be held accountable. He names names and is right: 'What we’re seeing is the heart of what right-wing religion itself really is, not merely hypocrisy.'"

-- veteran LGBT activist (since 1959) and a founder of LA's Homosexual Information Center in 1968, Billy Glover

"Dr. Minor's research promotes a better understanding of humanity in all its diversity. He is a strong humanitarian and this organization promotes and is a strong advocate for such thinking. He is a perfect fit for the 21st Century American thinking."

-- Michael Alldaffer, founder of the Great Plains Chapter of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State

"The most important, practical skills I ever learned were in your workshops and materials. It became the core of training I did called 'Stunned Silent.' Thank you from me, my family and my community."

-- Kathy Reim, retired PFLAG regional and national leader, Washington state public school teacher, and trainer


Audio cover

Scared Straight audio bookThese Best Sellers Are Available in Audio Formats

Scared Straight
Play a sample or order or download your copy here

When Religion Is an Addiction
Play a sample or order or download your copy here.

 


NW PFLAG Leadership WorkshopThe Fairness Project On-Line Activist Tool Kit

The Fairness Project is in the process of making available the handout materials from Dr. Minor's popular workshop: "Being an Activist Without Being a Victim." These materials are chosen because they encourage activist leadership to proceed from a progressive, healing model which contradicts the models of leadership found in most popular forms, models that are meant to keep the system in place rather than to make changes that support humanity, and result in burnout among leaders.

To access the current materials in The Fairness Project Tool Kit for activist leaders, click here.


A New 4-Part Podcast with Dr. Minor

Spend four half-hour sessions with Dr. Minor on this new
podcast series based on his most popular book and
most-requested speaking topic, and hosted
by religious trauma expert Karl Forehand
.

Listen to Part One: "The High of Righteousness"

Listen to Part Two: "The Challenges of Addiction"

Listen to Part Three: "Questions for Enablers: 1-4
"


When Religion Is an Addiction
Dr. Minor's Best Seller

A refreshingly unique analysis and more effective response to the Christian right-wing in
America today challenging much of how the left has responded!


Read Reviews and Opinion About When Religion Is an Addiction
buyOrder When Religion Is an Addiction

 

The Fairness Project Booklet Series
Up-to-date, Practical & Insightful
   

Five manuals activists around the country now use to take back the debate! Learn more about The Series

buyFor ordering information

 

Scared Straight

    Dr. Minor's in-depth, acclamed study of what are still the key issues facing our culture

    Read more about Scared Straight

    Order Scared Straight

 

Both books are also available from Amazon, Baker & Taylor, and Ingrams