On Being Different: What It Means to Be a Homosexual (Penguin Classics) Paperback – September 25, 2012

Merle Miller, thank you. I didn't know who you were until I read this essay that obviously triggered a lot of people to do that most obscene thing (In those times): THINK. And think they did, for the psychiatrists felt like dummies after this essay came out and deleted homosexuality off it's mental disorder list. This was one BIG step, so read this essay; this is the blood, sweat, and fears that went into making it possible for gays to be as "accepted" as they are today. (which we aren't of course,only "more accepted"). The feel of the essay was of a man of his times, and one who boiled for a long time before he cracked in the most positive of ways. He is an endearing man who surprises not so much in the BIG ISSUES, but the little, personal revelations: (I can relate to a man who says he doesn't like funerals or boring parties.lol) This essay, most of all, is both exhilirating in its rage, and exasperating in its "slow to come around" revelations. One wishes he might've stayed out of the office more and spent more time with a few drag queens or sexual outlaws to come to his conclusions sooner, but that was reflective of his more repressive era. As for the forward by the colorfully named Mr. Savage, it made its point, even if I wondered how many gay men can really relate to his particular circumstances; it was a bit "Rob and Bob" idyllic, but may he and hubby thrive; I have oft read his columns and laud him the fantastic accomplishment of dealing with the "bullying " issues, which should remain a major concern for the gay community. It is important to note, living in a large urban center does not give you the best perspective on what's going on out there in the "heartland" with its still clogged arteries of acceptance and support for our gay kids. In summary, read this book, and bravo to Penguin Classics for putting it out!

I found this a fascinating read, recommended by Dan Savage, often outspoken columnist and frequent guest on Bill Maher. It's essential reading if you want to follow the history of gay rights in America. The current fight for equality and same-gender marriage started with people like Miller who, perhaps reluctantly, wrote about their lives and feelings before it was fashionable. I have come to realize that, as the book posits: What does it matter who you love so long as you love? Gender equality and marriage equality is so clearly a civil rights issue that I have little doubt that even our right-leaning Supreme Court will continue to support it. It is, after all, the state that issues marriage licenses...not churches, so if some churches cannot find it in their souls to support the love of any two people committed enough to marry, then go to the state and lose the church! How sad!

Dan Savage's long forward did not sufficiently contextualize the historical essay that follows.He only covered one point, simply that gays are not usually insinuated as being child molesters today, as once was a false and negative stereotype. His point is "It gets better." Merle Miller deserves credit for coming out in print in an era when no one was doing this. However, by today's standards, the essay demonstrates that Miler did not understand the origin of his own homosexuality, but nonetheless did not want society to punish him or to denigrate him for it. The essay seems more like an emotional outburst than a well-thought out piece. Again, given the times and the lack of resources available to Miller in his lifetime concerning homosexuality, the essay is ok. The best writing in this slim volume is the afterward by Charles Kaiser.

I once told him: Merle, the difference between you and me is that we both get angry at injustice-- but you stay angry longer.~ Ralph C. MartinIn this year, this is the angriest and most assuring book I have read."On Being Different" made me feel-- not so different after all! :)It is an angry and engaging book. A must for members of LGBTQ+ community and people who love them.

Very thought provoking book on what it was like to be gay in the early gay movement. Even though I was born nearly 50 years after him, I still went through many of the same trials as he did. It's amazing after all that time some people still have the same attitudes towards gays. Fortunately, i see a lot of positive changes happening and I think soon we will have true equality. This is a must read for all gays and lesbians especially the younger generations.

Miller delivers a message that is at once heart-felt, cynical, optimistic, and unflinchingly honest. Despite its age, the article remains as important to today's society as it was in 1971.

This book opens your mind to a new ways of seeing what we have and appreciate it. Some of us we didn't have it that easy.

This is a great story and so very true. Thank you. Hopefully people who read it, get it and understand.

This famous piece by Merle Miller in the New York Times, Explores the homosexual experience in a readable way, which even I as a dispassionate heterosexual could understand. And grow to like. From the boys in the band to the beginnings and (later) aftermath of the GRID epidemic, whatever your viewpoint as a seminal piece of writing on Homosexual experience in the USA , it is historic. There I said it, and the New York Times is pretty much objective on most things. So I feel in good company.

A must read for the LGBTQ+ Community

Ce livre est très intéressant avec son avant-propos qui remet en perspective l'article de Merle Miller. L’œuvre de Merle Miller est aussi très touchante de sincérité et de simplicité, et ouvre les yeux sur la réalité de l'homosexualité dans les années 1970. J'ai dévoré ce livre et je le recommande vivement.

Merle Miller's essay and the preface by the founder of "it's getting better" are truely inspiring and shocking at the same time. The modernity of the topic is really sad but worth to read about and inform oneself. a classic for everything interested in equal rights.

A must for anyone and everyone who's interested in the LGBT community. It's a window to a different world, in a different era. However, people from countries like India can relate to the things as if they are happening to us NOW!But but but....It's an essay - a beautiful piece; something that changed pubic perception about gays - but it's an essay! Look for it online and you can find it on the web.Lengthy foreward, afterward, epilogue, glossary et al have been added to give it the shape of a book.