Books

That man there? He's just a nice guy. 

Prolific nonagenarian author, actor and lyricist David Leddick is not slowing down. His oeuvre ranges from a series of critically-acclaimed illustrated volumes about the male nude and steamy novels to commentary on gay culture.

There are few topics that aren't included in the new anthology book “Bodies and Barriers: Queer Activists on Health.” Edited by Adrian Shanker, a Pennsylvania-based queer activist, Shanker was inspired to put the book together because of his own experiences with seeking out health care as a queer man living in a largely straight world.  

It starts early on. At first, it seems spontaneous: parents who enjoy their interests naturally display those passions to small children who are dragged along for the ride. The child observes and absorbs until one day, the parental interest becomes the child's obsession.

Have you heard about...? It's true. You learned it from your best friend's husband's boss's wife at a neighborhood get-together last month and it was confirmed last weekend.

And just like that – boom! – the awkwardness began.