Memories of a Gay Catholic Boyhood: Coming of Age in the Sixties

John Demilio is a prominent historian and a trailblazer in LGBTQ history. His memoir, Memories of a Gay Catholic Boyhood, chronicles his journey from a conservative upbringing to exploring the gay sexual underworld of New York City. It explores his complex relationship with his family and how his passion for activism influenced his work in building the LGBTQ movement.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 05 December 2022
Publisher: Duke University Press

John Demilio, a renowned historian of his generation and a trailblazer in the field of LGBTQ history, has led a life that occasionally seems at odds with his upbringing. Born into an Italian immigrant family deeply rooted in Catholicism, Demilio's journey is a captivating exploration of how a boy from such a religious background became a lapsed Catholic. Despite the unwavering devotion of his family to confession and Sunday Mass, Demilio's personal experiences led him to question his faith and embrace his same-sex desires.

How did a family that worshipped Senator Joseph McCarthy and supported Richard Nixon produce an antiwar activist and pacifist? How did a family in which the word "divorce" was never spoken raise a son who ventured into the hidden gay sexual underworld of New York City? These are the questions that haunt Demilio's memoir, Memories of a Gay Catholic Boyhood.

Through this captivating narrative, Demilio takes readers on a journey from his working-class Bronx neighborhood to an elite Jesuit high school in Manhattan, and then to Columbia University during the tumultuous late 1960s. He shares personal anecdotes about growing up in a conservative, tight-knit, multigenerational family, navigating the conflicts between his religious beliefs and his sexual orientation.

What emerges from Demilio's story is a complex and nuanced portrayal of his relationship with his family. He outlines the challenges and tensions that arose from their differing perspectives, while also highlighting the moments of understanding and acceptance that shaped his journey. Demilio's activism, driven by his passion for social justice, played a significant role in his decision to use research, writing, and teaching to build a strong LGBTQ movement.

This memoir is not just John Demilio's personal narrative; it offers a profound insight into the transformative years of the 1950s, when the conformist baby boom decade gave way to the tumultuous era of radical social movements and widespread protests. It explores the collision of different cultures and values, and the tensions and possibilities that arise from such encounters. Demilio's story is intimate and honest, resonating with anyone who has had to chart their own path in a world that often challenges traditional beliefs and expectations.

In conclusion, Memories of a Gay Catholic Boyhood is a remarkable testament to the resilience and determination of John Demilio. Through his captivating storytelling, he sheds light on the complexities of growing up in a religiously conservative family while exploring his own journey of self-discovery and acceptance. This memoir offers a valuable perspective on the intersection of faith, sexuality, and social change, and serves as a reminder of the power of personal narrative to shape our understanding of the world.

Weight: 476g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478015925