Exposing the "Anti-gay Industry"

Alvin McEwen, who writes the blog "Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters," has turned his research into a book aptly titled "Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters: Exposing the Lies of the Anti-Gay Industry." In his book, Alvin does expose the very well-organized anti-gay industry. That crowd is in overdrive this month as Congress is considering pro-gay legislation.

We first met Alvin when he busted the San Francisco Chronicle for citing the work of the widely discredited Paul Cameron who is beloved and always cited by the right wing. For years, he has monitored the right winger who routinely bash gays. Here's how Alvin described the process of writing the book:

Coming out is a difficult process. Realizing that there are people out there who, through lies, will try to convince you that you have a negative future as a gay man only makes the process worse. Hearing people cite the work of Paul Cameron and other lies did much damage to my psyche at that time. I have since gotten over it, but I will never forget it.

So I finally sat down three years ago and began the process of writing this book. My purpose is to show how the anti-gay industry distorts studies to prove the lie that "homosexuality is a dangerous lifestyle."

I also outline their propaganda techniques and give examples of how they distort current events to lie on the lgbt community.

This book is my way of striking back not just for myself but for the next generation; the next young lgbt who will be forced to listen to the standard lies about the supposed gay life span or gay men molesting children.

Alvin does strike back. Everybody who cares about gay issues needs to read this book. Alvin gave me an advanced copy so I've already read it. It's amazing how willingly so many of the right wing religious types lie about gays -- over and over -- even after the lies have been debunked. Homophobia apparently overrules that commandment against bearing false witness.

This book was a labor of love for Alvin. He's self-published it (and has a full-time job besides being an activist on glbt issues in his home state of South Carolina.) But, if you ever get in the ring with the right wing, you need to know who you're fighting -- and how dirty they fight. You can buy it here -- and if you ever have to debate the anti-gay right wingers, you should buy it.