Straight from the Heart: A Love Story

Body builder Bob Paris, former Mr. Universe, and model Rod Jackson fell in love, courted and were married in a Unitarian church service in 1989. Here they tell the story of their union and recall their individual life histories--both of which included growing up in conservative, small-town families. In alternating sections, most only a paragraph long, they describe their first meeting (``a truly cosmic moment,'' according to Rod) and discuss such difficulties as their introductions to each other's parents and problems raised by their relationship in their professional circles. Now gay rights activists, they appear frequently on TV, have made a video and speak on the college and high school lecture circuits. The upbeat, positive attitude of the authors gives their story, despite its full quotient of rejection and anxiety, a lively, sometimes naive-sounding charm that will make readers cheer their determined optimism. Photos. 50,000 first printing; first serial to Out; author tour. (Feb.)