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Louis Diamant, who is professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina, has divided this collection of 15 essays into four main sections under the headings of (1) “Toward a Psychological Approach,” (2) “Theory and Research,” (3) “Clinical Concerns,” and (4) “Society and the Homosexual Individual.” The essays break no new ground, but a number of the chapters are excellent summaries of our current state of knowledge in this still-controversial area. Among these are Siegelman's essay, “Kinsey and Others: Empirical Input,” Gladue's “Psychobiological Contributions,” Al-Issa's “Gender Role,” and Diamant's “The Therapies.” Michael Ross contributes an interesting discussion called “A Theory of Normal Homosexuality,” as does C. A. Tripp in his closing essay, “On Morality and Ethics.” There is an excellent and sophisticated brief foreword by John Money.
With but one exception, all of the chapters are consistent with advanced contemporary concepts about homosexuality and encompass a bio-psycho-social point of view. The single exception is Ruben Fine's article, “Psychoanalytic Theory,” which presents a rehash of outmoded classical-psychoanalytic views about homosexuality and reflects little or no knowledge or understanding of more recent research contributions. His presentation is simplistic and arrogant, and its homophobic bias stands out in stark contrast to the views expressed in the other chapters of the book.
A surprising omission in a volume on this subject published in 1987 is a failure to deal with the impact of the AIDS epidemic on the current life styles of homosexual males and also with the effect it has had on the attitudes of the public toward the gay community and homosexuality in general.