Charles Silverstein: Remembering The Joy of Gay Sex Author (1935-2023)

"I'm glad that younger generations are more free. That's what we were fighting for."

Dr. Charles Silverstein died this week at the age of 87.

He was an incredibly significant person in our movement: Best known for making the presentation before the American Psychiatric Association in 1973 that led to the removal of homosexuality from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual’s list of mental illnesses, Silverstein was also a co-author of the landmark book The Joy of Gay Sex.

More than simply a sex manual with graphic drawings (though there was plenty of that), The Joy of Gay Sex, first published in 1977, was a first-of-its-kind guidebook for every aspect of the gay experience.

"The first time I had sex with a guy was a big learning experience. I didn't know what the hell I was doing. Fortunately, he did,” Dr. Silverstein recalled when I spoke to him in 2021. That night would prove to be a catalyst for him. In his 2011 memoir, For the Ferryman, he writes that it was in that moment that he decided to dedicate his life to fighting for the acceptance of gay people. He wanted future generations of gay men to be spared the pain and struggles that he faced.

I was lucky enough to be able to keep in touch and get to know Dr. Silverstein after our interview.

This is the last one that he gave.

The full text is available on The Advocate, as well. He talks about his work with the early gay organization, the Gay Activists Alliance (GAA), the earliest Pride marches where gay people would greet each other by saying “Happy Birthday,” and The Joy of Gay Sex’ lasting legacy.

And lastly, a new season of LGBTQ&A — with all new interviews! — is coming. On Monday, I recorded with a famous photographer who is turning 91 in a few weeks.

If you have any recommendations or suggestions of specific LGBTQ+ elders you'd like to hear from, reply to this email. I'd love to hear about them. 

Much love,

Jeffrey 
@jeffmasters