The Velvet Rage

Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man's World

By: Alan Downs Ph. D

Narrated by: Alan Downs Ph. D

Length: 7 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

The most important issue in a gay man’s life is not “coming out”, but coming to terms with the invalidating past. Despite the progress made in recent years, many gay men still wonder, “Are we better off?” The byproduct of growing up gay in a straight world continues to be the internalization of shame, rejection, and anger - a toxic cocktail that can lead to drug abuse, promiscuity, alcoholism, depression, and suicide.

Drawing on contemporary psychological research, the author’s own journey, and the stories of many of his friends and clients, Velvet Rage addresses the myth of gay pride and outlines three stages to emotional well-being for gay men. The revised and expanded edition covers issues related to gay marriage, a broader range of examples that extend beyond middle-class gay men in America, and expansion of the original discussion on living authentically as a gay man.

©2005, 2006, 2012 Alan Downs (P)2012 HighBridge Company

Must read for any gay man

Would you listen to The Velvet Rage again? Why?

There was quite a bit of information presented, and I think listening to it again might help me access more of it.

What did you like best about this story?

The inclusion of anecdotes really helped me relate my own life to the issues described in the book.

Which scene was your favorite?

Chapter 14, where he talked about life skills.

If you could give The Velvet Rage a new subtitle, what would it be?

An owner's manual for the gay life.

Very Profound for Me

Would you consider the audio edition of The Velvet Rage to be better than the print version?

Yes - I enjoyed Alan Downs reading his own words. There are subtleties in his voice that add significance.

What did you like best about this story?

How much I can relate to the struggle and the potential for growth he offers.

Have you listened to any of Alan Downs’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't. This is the first.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

Probably the first chapters where he discusses shame, its origins and manifestations etc. I'd never though about my own shame in those terms before. Very helpful!

Any additional comments?

Really worth the read, guys.

Heartwarming and Informative

Alan's tone and approach is heartwarming with its message of hope. This message is presented without flourish. This made the content less entertaining but far more personal and moving. I am grateful for the wisdom shared and have already begun to share some of it with my friends. I recommend the book to every gay person wishing to understand more about their emotional world and to everyone else for the same reason. A little understanding can only help and this book has much to share.

So so

Some good ideas. But it feels often like the writer believes all gay men have the same problems. He doesn't seem to think any gay man can grow up without being ashamed.

Most moving book I have ever read. A+++

Would you consider the audio edition of The Velvet Rage to be better than the print version?

Haven't read the printed version but ordered it so I could highlight specific portions. Having both wouldn't be a bad idea.

What did you like best about this story?

How closely it related to me.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES!!! Although I didn't have the time to I listened as much as possible.

A Great Perspective that Resonates

If you could sum up The Velvet Rage in three words, what would they be?

This book offers a clear perspective on the life of gay men and the challenges we face dealing with the way our lives feel need to be and how they should be. The perspective really resonates with me and made me sit back and think about how much the shame and expectations of gay life impacted and continue to impact me. Worth every minute of listening pleasure.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Velvet Rage?

One thing - dont pass up that man who may not be perfect because you pass up the chance to meet an amazing person.

What about Alan Downs’s performance did you like?

Very easy to listen to very easy to enjoy.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

Shame impacts everyone.

Waited 49 years for this.....

Overwhelmed just by the 1st chapter in what my definition of shame is vs the real meaning. I continue to hide my true self even after all these years, I have learned to be me, to be enough, then a new lady friend asked me if I had a girlfriend, I froze....again... yet in my mind I’m saying, “ your have no clue do you” so my true self is me, is Doug,
And I have to remember that what others think of me is none of my business..

Can’t relate

Well, if you want a story about someone that’s self loathing, this is the book for you. I’ve heard about this book for years, and finally got it. Wow, just wow. Who relates to this author? The entire narrative is about a guy who is self loathing and projects that onto all other LGBTQ people. No, that wasn’t, and isn’t my experience. I’ve had hard times, and all the rest, but jeezus this guys story is so sad it’s pathetic. I’d say that he definitely needs a professional to talk to, BUT HES ACTUALLY GOT PH.D at the end of his name. Is he still making payments on the extra letter additions to his name? I’m either confused, or bored with how this book has remained in conversations all this time.

A MUST read for every gay man.

I first read this book after a particularly painful breakup in 2007. I was definitely a solid phase 2. Seven years later I find myself reading this book again nursing another broken heart. This time I found myself teetering on the brink of three. The ending chapters of this book were like a warning showing me exactly what I was doing, as I was beginning to foreclose on authenticity.
Thank you Alan for writing this book!!!

Thank You!

I've already recommended this book to some of my friends as well as family members who need guidance and a further insight into the injustice that gay men face in this world.

I highly recommend this book for any gay man. Period.

SHAME.....

SHAME is the keyword of this book ....

I bought this book as it sounded interesting and was recommended BUT I am very disappointed !!!

The author reads (performance) the book in a dreary voice - and it puts you asleep BUT what annoyed me most - and this Is my personal opinion!!!! - I object that one is told that all your life is based on SHAME...

The author uses the word SHAME more less in every other sentence - sometimes twice within one sentence!
All your life, all your decisions all your doings are based on SHAME

Some of the stories are rather fascinating and interesting , and in many stories of clients of the author one can find oneself - and listens fascinated BUT what puts me off is the fact that it is always interpreted with SHAME...

For someone who is OPENLY GAY and has social standing and hasn't hang-ups on his sexuality or suffers depressions, THIS BOOK IS INFURIATING!!!

Would I recommend this book- NO
Why:
The topic of this book is fascinating - and people who suffer the symptoms which the author describes need reassurance and not "pulling-down".
This is the reason why I wouldn't recommend this book to any one who seeks help or reassurance in his persona as a gay person.

Outdated, egocentric, destructive drivel.

This book was first written in a different time. This is a new edition but has failed to gather insight from recent research, from beyond the USA and relies heavily on anecdotal evidence of one therapists experience. It is dense with generalisations - often assertions for the mass based on individual cases, grandiose and absolute statements and hyperbole. I can hold these aberrations, but I would warn younger people learning about sexuality to seek more balanced and high quality literature in their quest.

A great source of comfort

This has helped me understand and come to terms with many struggles and traumas. I read reviews from some people who talk about the book's gay stereotypes and middle class angles. But this, for me, didn't remotely prevent me from being able to draw from its therapeutic qualities. I'd recommend this book to all gay men. I wish I'd read/listened to this years ago.

Profound and Life Changing

This is one book that has completely altered my lens on life and it is revolutionary!

Overwhelmingly meaningful

I relate to almost every part of this book, as I search for my own authentic life Alan’s stories and knowledge has made me feel that I’m not alone and that there’s hope once we understand the affects that toxic shame has in the life of most if not all gay men. I highly recommend it and it’s no wonder it’s been labelled “the gay bible” by many.

Opinionated, outdated pap.

Within about five minutes of starting this book the author had annoyed me. “Gay men are uniquely placed...” so my lesbian sister isn’t included when talking of compassion.

No thanks.

Maybe this book had something to offer when published, but I don’t think it does any more.

If your gay, you need this.

I loved this. It was interesting the whole way through. And there is invaluable advise you can cherish for years to come. It can be tough being gay, but it doesn't have to be.
I always had a feeling there was something wrong with me. Something missing. This book validates and highlights that thing that was missing. I hope all the best to anyone that gets this book. And that they work to find the peace they deserve.

Depressing!

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

Gay men of older generation and those of the upper class might perhaps more identify with what life the author profiles. As a private psychologist, he obviously only sees highly paying patients. But even then, I question the sweeping statements made by the author of what he thinks is typical for gay men.

What was most disappointing about Alan Downs’s story?

I thought this would be a book that guides one to how to cope better with various fates that being gay seems to attract but instead it seems that the author wallows in misery and 2/3 through the book I feel worse about being gay than before.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator's mellow voice adds to the feeling of misery

Interesting BUT very flawed in presumptuousness

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

The demographic Alan Downs celebrates throughout his pages, are very rich A list gay men. He talks about shame, but manages to shame many readers with the 'normality' of their lives that are nothing like his consulting room in Santa Fe! Frustrating generalisations about gay life, no discussion on gender aspects, differences, diversity and though interesting and some good theory, just too insipid and American at times!

For a British audience and worldwide audience and for many in America, the assumption of the 'prevalence' of the Pink Pound and snobbery is hard to bear at points.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

No ending, but the model though based on CBT is interesting, but seems to get twisted for an American audience. If based on mindfulness, I've listened to far better CBT/ mindfulness based books. Yes a lot of the stereotypes are true and are brave, but it all seems a little glib and boastful.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Yes, despite it flaws a good listen, but at moments irksome and hard to identify with. Nevertheless an important book to make your mind up over.

Brilliant

Didn’t expect to connect with this book as I did, made me realise I harboured a lot of shame and the author describes what to do about this.

Well written and knowledgable