num_pages: 304
description: Drawing on a half-century of gay history, Michael Bronski brilliantly maps out the fascinating and often ironic interplay between culture and politics. In doing so, he illustrates how and why most heterosexuals need and love certain aspects of gay culture, even though this culture also causes them enormous anxiety and fear. The Pleasure Principle offers a profound and disturbing analysis of the roots—and the damaging results—of Western culture's inability to deal with both pleasure and sexuality, especially as they are embodied for many by contemporary gay culture.
language: English
title: The Pleasure Principle: Sex, Backlash, and the Struggle for Gay Freedom
titlecomplete: The Pleasure Principle: Sex, Backlash, and the Struggle for Gay Freedom
genres: LGBT, History, Sexuality, Nonfiction, Queer
ratings_count: 42
awards: awardedAt: 883641600000
name: Lambda Literary Award
category: Gay Studies, awardedAt: 915177600000
name: The Publishing Triangle Award
category: The Randy Shilts Award for Gay Nonfiction
publisher: Stonewall Inn Editions