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The International Homosexual Conspiracy

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Synopsis

In this series of cultural polemics on an unexpected array of contemporary topics—from mistaken first impressions ("Presumed Hetero Unless Proven Gay") to sustainable yet unaffordable pants ("Socially Responsible Pants") to critiques of bourgeois mindsets ("Middle Class Writer")—author Larry-bob Roberts offers hilarious insight into the absurdities of modern life and queer culture. The International Homosexual Conspiracy offers one man's humorous observations that are destined to jostle readers' complacency and confirm their worst suspicions.

Straight people need The International Homosexual Conspiracy to find out what one of those freaky queers thinks. Mainstream gays need this book to learn that there are other ways of expressing homosexuality culturally. Non–mainstream queers need this book to see that someone is finally putting down in writing ideas that reflect their own points of view. Readers with short attention spans need this book because the chapters are easily digested, bite–sized pieces. Fans of satire need this book for a good laugh. Fundamentalist Christians need this book as evidence of the decadence of modern society. In a humorously confrontational way, Larry-bob Roberts entertains with a viewpoint that's not only raging, but also engaging.

Review

Short (sometimes very brief) essays, musings, advice, gay history, and memoir combine in the sometimes entertaining and thought-provoking mélange that is Larry-bob Roberts' The International Homosexual Conspiracy. Some pieces are quite serious in their intent and others more lighthearted, even perhaps satirical, and many do give the reader something to think about. Despite the provocative title it is not entirely limited to gay topics and concerns, with its entries organized under a series of headings like “On Community,” “On Communication,” “On Popular Culture,” “Nature vs. Nurture, “On Indulgence,” and “Wants vs. Needs.” The title is taken from one of the essays in the lengthiest section which is entitled “On Homosexuality.” In the essay he postulates on the possible causes of homosexuality and comes up with some interesting hypotheses, although many are no doubt tongue-in-cheek. Roberts had a print magazine and now has an e-zine called Holy Titclamps from which many of the pieces are taken. He can be harsh on his fellow gays, one reason being that their actions and lifestyle can enable straight people to feel comfortable in their stereotyping. Many will disagree with him and his preachy and frequently hectoring tone may turn off some readers, but there is undoubtedly something here for almost everyone.

-- Roy Liebman