The term, all the rage, refers to something hip, something trendy, in this instance, gay culture. But Walters also uses the phrase to illustrate the most horrific manifestation of homophobia—gay bashing—and the emotions that power it.

"All the Rage: The Story of Gay Visibility in America" has positioned itself as the "first authoritative guide to the new gay visibility in America" by offering readers a comprehensive list of queer representation in virtually every facet of contemporary culture. From television sitcoms to Budweiser ads, from the White House to the annual gay day at the Magic Kingdom, the text leaves little doubt that gay culture has exploded onto the mainstream. Walters stockpiles her evidence (to sometimes dizzying proportions, as sitcom plot summaries are unnecessarily outlined) with the intention of illuminating a hotly debated question, one that has left gays and lesbians stymied for most of the 1990s: Is this increased visibility actually a sign of social acceptance?

To answer this question, she focuses on two pivotal events: the public outing of Ellen DeGeneres and the vicious murder of Matthew Shepard. She writes, "these two events illustrate the confusing and often incomprehensible tenor of the times. We rejoice breaking down one barrier only to be faced again, with the ugliness and brutality of another." In fact, some studies suggest that this increased gay visibility has actually led to an increase in anti-gay violence. In other words, If you are sitting back in wonder at the dawning of a new age, thinking the battles have largely been won, they haven't. Be vigilant, advises Walters, the director of Women's Studies at Georgetown University.

Fortunately, Walters issues her warnings and observations without sounding shrill or dramatic. Her prose is witty, at times optimistic, and she wisely remembers to celebrate the bona fide triumphs gays have made in the media, as more and more gay characters are beamed into the living rooms and hearts of heterosexual America.

But as Eve Ensler, author of "The Vagina Monologues," reminds us in her blurb on the book's cover, "being visible is fabulous, but it's not necessarily the same as being known."

"All the Rage: The Story of Gay Visibility in America"
by Suzanna Danuta Walters
University of Chicago, $30, 344 pages

Also by Tony Peregrin

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(2001-11-22)

FICTION REVIEW
An evil pond that uses its vine-covered tentacles to kill; a battle between two neighbors where one decides to use the other as a scarecrow in his cornfield; and an entire set of stories featuring lethal, vengeful animals are just some of the messy, imperfect offerings knotted up in this short-story tangle by Patricia Highsmith, author of such macabre masterpieces as "Strangers on a Train" and "The Talented Mr. Ripley."
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LESSONS LEARNED
"Straight Pride" doesn't negate "Gay Pride." In fact, as far as I can tell, both statements mean everyone is getting off in whatever way feels the best—and darned proud of it too, thank you very much.
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FACE OFF
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OH RIKKI
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LAVENDER HAZE
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GREAT SEXPECTATIONS
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COLD COMFORT
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BROTHER'S KEEPER
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GOLDEN NUGGET
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BLOODLETTING
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GAY CHICAGO
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