The Ins and Outs of Gay Sex

May 17, 1999
For almost two decades, many have viewed the AIDS epidemic as paramount among gay men's health concerns. While never ignoring its centrality, Goldstone reminds his readers that there are myriad other considerations not only for self-identified gay men but for all "men who have sex with men." Among the wide range of sexual practices and concerns Goldstone covers are anal intercourse, sexually transmitted viral and bacterial infections, impotence, oral sex and HIV transmission, as well as recreational and prescription drug use and abuse. He also discusses ancillary cultural issues such as how being monogamous, living in an open relationship or having numerous sexual partners can affect safe sex practices. Goldstone's medical information is up-to-date and accurate; although, as he points out, treatments for AIDS change almost monthly. While the book covers the safety and health aspects of body piercing, its lack of information about the health implications of the wide range of sadomasochistic practices prevalent in the gay male community is a drawback. On the other hand, Goldstone has a positive, nonjudgmental attitude toward sex. This openness, combined with a chatty style (replete with bad jokes and not very subtle innuendo, reminiscent of David Reuben's Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sex but without the moralizing), makes Goldstone's book unusually reader-friendly. Includes charts and illustrations.