Andrew E. Stoner
- Published in print:
- 2019
- Published Online:
- January 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780252042485
- eISBN:
- 9780252051326
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Illinois Press
- DOI:
- 10.5622/illinois/9780252042485.003.0015
- Subject:
- Society and Culture, Gay and Lesbian Studies
Shilts begins to offer his first writing at length about the experience of lesbian women via “Conduct Unbecoming.” Shilts’s new book further unpacks cultural beliefs about the roles of men and women ...
More
Shilts begins to offer his first writing at length about the experience of lesbian women via “Conduct Unbecoming.” Shilts’s new book further unpacks cultural beliefs about the roles of men and women in society, and aspects of masculinity and femininity. U.S. military policy toward HIV testing is reported. While mainstream reviews of Shilts’s “Conduct Unbecoming” are favorable, LGBT leaders continue to question Shilts’s elevation as a “leader” or representative of the gay community. Shilts personally addresses the thin line he has walked between journalist and advocate for the issues he has covered.Less
Shilts begins to offer his first writing at length about the experience of lesbian women via “Conduct Unbecoming.” Shilts’s new book further unpacks cultural beliefs about the roles of men and women in society, and aspects of masculinity and femininity. U.S. military policy toward HIV testing is reported. While mainstream reviews of Shilts’s “Conduct Unbecoming” are favorable, LGBT leaders continue to question Shilts’s elevation as a “leader” or representative of the gay community. Shilts personally addresses the thin line he has walked between journalist and advocate for the issues he has covered.
Andrew E. Stoner
- Published in print:
- 2019
- Published Online:
- January 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780252042485
- eISBN:
- 9780252051326
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University of Illinois Press
- DOI:
- 10.5622/illinois/9780252042485.001.0001
- Subject:
- Society and Culture, Gay and Lesbian Studies
First-ever biography of controversial journalist and author Randy Shilts, one of the nation’s first openly gay reporters for a major daily newspaper. Known for his tenacity in reporting, he quickly ...
More
First-ever biography of controversial journalist and author Randy Shilts, one of the nation’s first openly gay reporters for a major daily newspaper. Known for his tenacity in reporting, he quickly became the “AIDS scribe” among American journalists. His work was not without controversy, however, with posthumous reviews of his “new journalism” techniques called into question, including the accuracy of some of his research. Review is provided of Shilts’s childhood struggles with physical abuse, his adult battles with alcohol and drug addiction, and his ultimate death from AIDS. The critical review of Shilts is most focused on his 1987 book, And the Band Played On: Politics, People and the AIDS Epidemic – although his work on The Mayor of Castro Street: The Life and Times of Harvey Milk (1982) and Conduct Unbecoming: Gays & Lesbians in the U.S. Military (1993)Less
First-ever biography of controversial journalist and author Randy Shilts, one of the nation’s first openly gay reporters for a major daily newspaper. Known for his tenacity in reporting, he quickly became the “AIDS scribe” among American journalists. His work was not without controversy, however, with posthumous reviews of his “new journalism” techniques called into question, including the accuracy of some of his research. Review is provided of Shilts’s childhood struggles with physical abuse, his adult battles with alcohol and drug addiction, and his ultimate death from AIDS. The critical review of Shilts is most focused on his 1987 book, And the Band Played On: Politics, People and the AIDS Epidemic – although his work on The Mayor of Castro Street: The Life and Times of Harvey Milk (1982) and Conduct Unbecoming: Gays & Lesbians in the U.S. Military (1993)
Andrew E. Stoner
- Published in print:
- 2019
- Published Online:
- January 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780252042485
- eISBN:
- 9780252051326
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Illinois Press
- DOI:
- 10.5622/illinois/9780252042485.003.0014
- Subject:
- Society and Culture, Gay and Lesbian Studies
Shilts makes the decision to publicly disclose for the first time that he is HIV positive. Shilts’s growing health struggles come quickly as he is then diagnosed as having AIDS. Shilts views as ...
More
Shilts makes the decision to publicly disclose for the first time that he is HIV positive. Shilts’s growing health struggles come quickly as he is then diagnosed as having AIDS. Shilts views as problematic the focus on his HIV status rather than the release of his new book, “Conduct Unbecoming.” Shilts has to limit his book tour to media interviews due to his declining health. The veracity with which Shilts answered earlier questions about his HIV status is explored; along with the ethics of what level of personal disclosure, gay men (or reporters) owe others. “Conduct Unbecoming” becomes a central part of the gay military ban discussion as movie rights to “And the Band Played On” are sold to HBO.Less
Shilts makes the decision to publicly disclose for the first time that he is HIV positive. Shilts’s growing health struggles come quickly as he is then diagnosed as having AIDS. Shilts views as problematic the focus on his HIV status rather than the release of his new book, “Conduct Unbecoming.” Shilts has to limit his book tour to media interviews due to his declining health. The veracity with which Shilts answered earlier questions about his HIV status is explored; along with the ethics of what level of personal disclosure, gay men (or reporters) owe others. “Conduct Unbecoming” becomes a central part of the gay military ban discussion as movie rights to “And the Band Played On” are sold to HBO.
Andrew E. Stoner
- Published in print:
- 2019
- Published Online:
- January 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780252042485
- eISBN:
- 9780252051326
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Illinois Press
- DOI:
- 10.5622/illinois/9780252042485.003.0016
- Subject:
- Society and Culture, Gay and Lesbian Studies
One of Shilts’s last interviews, with Steve Kroft from CBS’ 60 Minutes, considers his breakthrough role as a gay journalist. Shilts’s future plans for a book about alleged sexual abuse inside the ...
More
One of Shilts’s last interviews, with Steve Kroft from CBS’ 60 Minutes, considers his breakthrough role as a gay journalist. Shilts’s future plans for a book about alleged sexual abuse inside the Catholic Church, and his desire for a national column are revealed. Shilts’s last interviews and written words reflect the fleeting nature of his life as he attempts to promote his final book, Conduct Unbecoming. Shilts’s health continues to deteriorate until he dies at his Guerneville, California home on February 17, 1994. Shilts’s death wins nationwide notice and his funeral becomes the first-ever picketed by members of the controversial Westboro Baptist Church. Shilts’s friends, colleagues and his partner, Barry Barbieri, offer insight into his last months of life.Less
One of Shilts’s last interviews, with Steve Kroft from CBS’ 60 Minutes, considers his breakthrough role as a gay journalist. Shilts’s future plans for a book about alleged sexual abuse inside the Catholic Church, and his desire for a national column are revealed. Shilts’s last interviews and written words reflect the fleeting nature of his life as he attempts to promote his final book, Conduct Unbecoming. Shilts’s health continues to deteriorate until he dies at his Guerneville, California home on February 17, 1994. Shilts’s death wins nationwide notice and his funeral becomes the first-ever picketed by members of the controversial Westboro Baptist Church. Shilts’s friends, colleagues and his partner, Barry Barbieri, offer insight into his last months of life.
