To be a Gay Man

A very important book.
Part autobiographical, part help and advice; this book felt like an important insight into the shame related to being lgbtq+, hitting all the right notes on realisation, telling friends and family, public perception and living an authentic, amazing life.
As a heterosexual lady I found this book a real eye opener and after talking to a gay friend about what I’d read he agreed with a lot of what is written in Will’s book and had similar feelings of shame, something I had never known. He also agreed with me on the importance of this book for all, wether it’s to find a common voice or to understand your friend or family member a little more.
The book has a warm and non-preachy tone, Will doesn’t shy from admitting to his own flaws and it is lovely to hear him also celebrate his own successes alongside this too.
I love the little mention of his charity voluntary work, and how the sense of community in the shop makes him feel- he is very welcome to come and dress the windows in my Charity shop if he ever finds himself in North Yorkshire

An honest and open discussion from Will Young on his experiences growing up as a gay man, in particular an explanation of the gay shaming he felt along the way.

I read this book as an LGBTQ+ ally - I'm the same age as Will, but a heterosexual female with two children. I love them deeply and will support them and their peers whatever their sexuality, and however they are feeling. To me, this has been a useful book to pick up some of those intense feelings which probably pass a lot of us by.

Thanks Will for sharing your story, and I hope this has also brought you some catharsis.

Will Young talks candidly about growing up gay. He talks about school life, how children calls others gay as if it's wrong or something to be ashamed off. He talks about life in the 80's and Aids known as the 'gay plague'. Its a very open story of his life as a gay man

I found this book to be an eye opener, things I probably would say without thinking of the impact a few words can have on a person.

It's the 21st century and being gay still has issues and story's like this need to be told and need to be said.

A very honest account from Will Young, mostly focusing on his life as a gay man but also life in the public eye. I’m a fan, he’s talented and it’s such a shame he’s had to put up with issues around his sexuality in his career.

Well written and easy to read, I would recommend this.

Thanks to NetGalley for my review copy.

Great book. Half biography, half self help book. He talks about the struggles he had with being shamed. Important read I feel.