The gay male world today is characterized by seductive beauty, artful creativity, flamboyant sexuality, and, encouragingly, unprecedented acceptability in society. Yet despite the progress of the past century, gay men still find themselves asking, "Are we really better off?"

The inevitable by-product of growing up gay in a straight world continues to be the internalization of shame, a shame gay men may strive to obscure with a façade of beauty, creativity, or material success.

Drawing on contemorary psychological research, the author's own personal journey to be free of anger and shame, as well as the stories of many of his friends and clients, The Velvet Rage outlines the three distinct stages to emtional well-being for gay men. Offering profoundly helpful strategies to stop the insidious cycle of avoidance and self-defeating behavior, The Velvet Rage is an empowering book that will influence the public discourse on gay culture and positively change the lives of gay men who read it.

Alan Downs, Ph. D., is a clinical psychologist practicing in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His more than fifteen years of treating clients have already been reflected in numerous books about both leadership and self-help. A personal and professional milestone, The Velvet Rage is his first book about the psychology of gay life.