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Review

Take Off the Masks with a New Introduction by Mark Thompson by *101305 is phenomenal piece of literature. In a biographical work about his life, Boyd talks about his life from birth (his parents had his astrological charts read) through the present in this re-released manuscript.

Boyd understood as a child that he was “different” yet didn’t know exactly what that meant. He cued in, as many of us do, that this difference had negative societal connotations and eventually placed his own understanding and values on the terms “homosexual” and “queer”. His journey of self discovery proved to be a strength building process. He took lessons learned as a civil rights advocate and applied them to his own life and circumstance.

There are many reasons that this is a timeless classic. This is a book for those individuals who wrestle with Christianity and homosexuality; with priesthood and homosexuality; and most importantly, just coming out. Boyd gives voice to all of the feelings relative to the private life that many of us live while trying to maintain the public presence that we must in order to maintain a job, community or familial relationships. He speaks to the continuous coming out process and to the fact that, as a homosexual, the emphasis is more on the sexuality than individuality.

While the youth of today may deal with coming out in a new manner, I wish I’d known of the existence of this book when I was dealing with coming out as a Southern Baptist youth. I would have had a much easier time with life, coping, adjusting and self esteem. This book will remain in my library and will also be given as a gift to numerous friends and acquaintances, and will be used as a reference for scholars and teachers.

 -- Stephen Jackson