Published in 1983, this is one of several anti-gay books written by Rekers over the years but appears to be the only one listed on Amazon.com that includes cover art. The title and photo are especially troubling given that Rekers, 61, was caught hiring a 20-year-old male prostitute. Also, Miami New Times reported that Rekers “frequently takes in foster children and that four years ago he adopted a 16-year-old boy.”
I’m a lumberjack and that’s okay.
Despite the title, the the cover photo makes it clear he is only interested in BOYS’ sexual identity. I’ll bet he picked the photo out himself.
Creepy doesn’t begin to describe that!
Looks like a “how to be a Lesbian” manual to me!
The vertical staff, the wide stance, the line from face to crotch, sitting on wood (for cryin’ out loud) — You don’t have to be a creative director like me who spends a lot of time on visual communication and symbolism to see what is so hilarious and disturbing about this image.
I think there may be more in Mr. Rekers’ closet than just a male prostitute.
I have yet to see what is so creepy about it, except that he seems to be using A SCYTHE to chop wood. I’m a photographer. The slight emphasis on the man’s crotch is apparently a little bit of the sunlight that casts the shadow of the scythe. To me it looks like a dad and son doing manly, but nonsensical, things together.
It’s part of the cannon of books made by and for people who don’t want to believe that things are the way they are. This one, evidently, is full of coded imagery of what the author is trying to suppress in himself. Who knew that the worst enemies of gays would end up to be closeted gays themselves? Are there truly any heterosexuals involved in NARTH and their ilk or just closet cases? It’s SICK.
What i find most troubling (aside from his apparent self loathing) is this, here is a virulent antigay “Expert” who “adopts” a 16 year old (who is himself now 20) and then “Hires” a 20 y/o “rentBoy” I mean come on it doesn’t take a PHD to figure what this man is truly all about, I am certain there is more in this closet then this one incident.
I see nothing creepy or coded in this photograph, even in the context of our current knowledge of Rekers’ hypocrisy and homophobia.
Let me see if I understand Ole George….gays can’t adopt children, you can only rent them. Silly, pathetic hypocrit!
There seem to be an incredible number of hypocrites masquerading as Christian and conservative leaders in this country. The hypocrites are not just closeted gay men a la Rekers and Haggard, but there are any number of straight philandering, lying, self-serving jerks to whom so many Americans continue to throw their love and financial support. Wake-up people…they’re the 21st Century snake-oil salesmen and there just seem to be more and more suckers!
As a gay man I’m tired of hearing the “gay” stories playing so big in the media and the other “lesser crimes” of lying, cheating and stealing being relegated to page 10. Few of these folks can live up to the level of what they preach. And that goes for your Pope too.
@SCOTT — so true. They say they are only following the Bible, but spend ALL their efforts on the abomination of homosexuality, and NONE on adultery (which is punishable by death). To whit, 36 States have passed anti-gay legislation (including Florida with the help of Rekers) — how many have passed legislation to publicly execute adulterers? ZERO.
By now, we all know Rekers’ method:
“Shaping Your Child’s Sexual Identity”
“By Using Both Hands”
So far, we know that this guy is a closet homosexual. THAT’s IT!
>>> Also, Miami New Times reported that Rekers “frequently takes in foster children
>>> and that four years ago he adopted a 16-year-old boy.”
Including this comment implies that this 16 year old boy isn’t safe because his dad is gay. The hint of pedophilia is obvious! Uggghhh.
This guy is an ass and has been evil towards the gay community, but just because he hires a perfectly legal, but young prostitute does not mean children are in any kind of danger.
Please stop the gay = pedophile stuff!!!
“See this bulge in my jeans, Timmy? That’s what we’re talking about. You can touch it if you want to. This is how we learn.”