In Search of Gay America: Women and Men in a Time of Change

This informative, surprisingly entertaining overview of gay life in the U.S. puts to rest the stereotype that homosexual communities thrive only in large cities. In coast-to-coast travels, Miller, former editor of Boston's Gay Community News , met vast numbers of gays and lesbians in a variety of geographic, ethnic, social and cultural settings. The author unexpectedly found that aside from some intolerant communities, small towns accept gays and lesbians--gay farmer couples, for example, or a lesbian miner--in community projects and politics. One Missouri village even elected a gay mayor. Miller also discusses the impact of AIDS on individual life patterns and the strengthening and politicization of the gay community brought about by the affliction. In a book with much to say to a general audience, readers will enjoy as well this gifted writer's evocation of small-town life and colorfully apt personality sketches. 35,000 first printing; $50,000 ad/promo; author tour. (Apr.)