Giving voice to a population too rarely acknowledged, Sweet Tea collects more than sixty life stories from black gay men who were born, raised, and continue to live in the South. E. Patrick Johnson challenges stereotypes of the South as “backward” or “repressive” and offers a window into the ways black gay men negotiate their identities, build community, maintain friendship networks, and find sexual and life partners — often in spaces and activities that appear to be antigay. Ultimately, Sweet Tea validates the lives of these black gay men and reinforces the role of storytelling in both African American and southern cultures.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“It’s pretty rare to pick up a book, turn randomly to any page, and find such a powerful personal story that you have to close the book for a moment to take it in. But the oral histories featured in Sweet Tea . . . cast just that kind of spell.” — The Advocate
“Easily shatters many narrow perceptions around the intersections of class, sex, love, age, religion, family and gender expression in Southern communities, as well as the simple and complex reasons that the men profiled have chosen to remain in the south.” —
ColorLines
“Challenges queer, black, men’s, and southern historiographies. . . . Illuminates the fabric of black gay men’s history . . . [and] debunks the myth that southern black gay men live only fearful, silenced, and secret lives.” —
Journal of Southern History
“In reading each colorful story, it seems as if the men are sitting right in front of you. . . . With nearly 46 percent of America’s new HIV/AIDS cases occurring in the South, Johnson is serving the tea right on time.” — POZ
“This fascinating . . . oral history subverts countless preconceptions in its illustration of black gay subcultures thriving in just about every imaginable rural and religious milieu in the South. . . . The courage and honesty of Johnson’s interviewees humble, and readers will find much to treasure in the stories.” —
Publishers Weekly
“Contains a wealth of information about Southern black gay men and makes a valuable addition to gay cultural history.” — –
The Gay & Lesbian Review
“Johnson’s interviews often confound stereotypes. . . . Succeeds as a human document, giving voice to people who are seldom heard.” —
Wilmington Star-News
“Johnson, who has never been one to shy away from the intricacies of race theory or queer theory, has put together a complex oral history of gay black men in the South.” —
The Independent
“Interjecting apt questions only occasionally, the author allows his subjects to speak for themselves, which they do articulately, colloquially (a glossary is included), and graphically. . . . [A] very good book.” —
Library Journal
“Profiles more than seventy men, from teenagers to elders, hairdressers to executives, in every southern state. . . . A calm chronology of growing up black and gay. . . . Illuminate[s] readers about their little-known history.” —
Arkansas Historical Quarterly
Review
A compelling archive of stories often left unheard. Stories given magical life in performance by their brilliant archivist. A must read.–Houston A. Baker Jr., Distinguished University Professor, Vanderbilt University
Book Description
Oral histories reveal a thriving, long-neglected community
About the Author
E. Patrick Johnson is Carlos Montezuma Professor of Performance Studies and African American Studies at Northwestern University. He was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 2010.
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