Jack Malebranche
Encyclopedia
Jack Donovan (born Sean Grady; October 23, 1974) is an American writer. Mark Simpson
, British
journalist
and editor of the 1995 book Anti-Gay, called Donovan “a straight-talking Drill Instructor for today’s gay generation, weaning them off pop divas and bear beauty pageants and licking them into a more manly, more self-reliant shape, ready to re-join the masculine fray.”
Donovan is currently a contributor to AlternativeRight.com, a media project of the National Policy Institute
, and anti-feminist, men's rights
blog http://www.the-spearhead.com/author/jackdonovan/ The Spearhead.
directed at the gay community and contemporary gay culture. In Androphilia, Donovan employs the word androphilia to distinguish his own experience of homosexual desire, which he defines as a “Mars/Mars” attraction between two men, from the label “gay
” which, Donovan claims, is inseparable from connotations of effeminacy
and “a whole cultural and a political movement that promotes anti-male feminism
, victim mentality, and leftist politics.” Donovan uses the term androphilia to emphasize masculinity
in both the object and the subject of male homosexual desire, and rejects the gender nonconformity that he sees in gay identity. Donovan advocates withdrawal from the gay community and mainstream gay culture, the rejection of the label “gay,” for those men who feel limited by it, and advises those men to concentrate on developing friendships with heterosexual men and to explore traditional male gender roles.
In an essay separate from the manifesto itself, entitled “Agreements Between Men,” Donovan makes an aesthetic argument against same-sex marriage
, opting for more private arrangements and expressions of bonds, inspired by male friendships instead of heterosexual romance. When asked about legal bans on same-sex marriage, Donovan clarified that he was “sympathetic to some sort of legal arrangement” but “against same-sex marriage, using the word marriage,” on the grounds that marriage
is a cultural institution with, “too much historical baggage.”
Some critics have argued that Donovan tends to make too many “harsh, negative generalizations” about the gay community and have described his delivery in Androphilia as “alienating.” Others have implied that Donovan wants to push gay men back into “the closet
.” One reviewer, writing for Canadian gay newspaper Xtra
, compared Donovan to a character in a John Rechy
novel, who “puts a kitten in a brown paper bag and drowns it in his bathtub” in an effort to “validate his masculinity.”
Mark Thompson, gay author and former senior editor of The Advocate
(1975–1994), agreed with some of Donovan's critiques of the gay community “in principle,” writing that, “Our popular gay male culture is inundated with countless examples of gay men living shallow, addicted lives – one of many among a tribe of lost ‘boys’ who live only for their own burnished image until it all becomes too late.” Thompson also acknowledged that he would “be among the first to clock the egregious ways of what [he has] long called ‘Gay Inc.’ and its nasty habits of siphoning hard-won dollars into self-perpetuating bureaucracies.” However, Thompson called for unity and found Donovan’s statement that the victimization and oppression of homosexual males was for the most part “an illusion” promoted by gay activists to raise money to be “disingenuous,” citing various examples of what Thompson believed to be serious challenges faced by a wide range of GLBT people. According to Thompson, Androphilia’s message was really only relevant for a “relatively narrow swath of white, middle-class gays.”
Queer literature
reviewer Richard LaBonte advised readers against writing off Androphilia completely, stating that the book was “a heartfelt argument that ‘the gay identity’ is too sissy, too socialist, and way too libertine for this man-loving man.” LaBonte compared Donovan to Andrew Sullivan
, Bruce Bawer
, and Daniel Harris and identified Androphilia’s message as “an extreme manifestation of their kind of stereo-phobia.”
Other writers have applauded Androphilia or embraced the label of “androphile” wholeheartedly. Nick Pell, who interviewed Donovan for Portland, Oregon’s Just Out
, wrote that Androphilia was “relevant and timely” and would soon be “required reading for young homosexual men looking for an alternative to disco balls, rainbow flags
and celebrity gossip.” Matt Moody wrote in his review for the San Diego–based Gay and Lesbian Times
that “finally, finally, another gay man is advocating what I’ve believed for years: the belief that men who admire or love men should be more responsible, not give into the effeminate gay cultural fad, avoid the personal, career, and social pitfalls common to those who live in a completely emasculated world, and build stronger ties with heterosexual men who share common interests.” Homoerotic fetish artist Drubskin
described Androphilia as a “liberating read,” and wrote approvingly of Donovan’s challenges to “old thinking,” “victim mentality” and “the prejudices and castrating influences of Feminism and The Gay Movement.”
Mark Simpson (journalist)
Mark Simpson is an English journalist, writer, and broadcaster specialising in pop culture, media, and masculinity. He has been described by one critic as "the skinhead Oscar Wilde" Simpson is a frequent commentator on British television shows....
, British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
and editor of the 1995 book Anti-Gay, called Donovan “a straight-talking Drill Instructor for today’s gay generation, weaning them off pop divas and bear beauty pageants and licking them into a more manly, more self-reliant shape, ready to re-join the masculine fray.”
Donovan is currently a contributor to AlternativeRight.com, a media project of the National Policy Institute
National Policy Institute
The National Policy Institute is an American white nationalist think tank based in Whitefish, Montana. It describes itself as the right's answer to the Southern Poverty Law Center....
, and anti-feminist, men's rights
Men's rights
Men's rights is an umbrella term, encompassing the political rights, entitlements, and freedoms given or denied to males within a nation or culture....
blog http://www.the-spearhead.com/author/jackdonovan/ The Spearhead.
Androphilia
Androphilia, A Manifesto is a polemicPolemic
A polemic is a variety of arguments or controversies made against one opinion, doctrine, or person. Other variations of argument are debate and discussion...
directed at the gay community and contemporary gay culture. In Androphilia, Donovan employs the word androphilia to distinguish his own experience of homosexual desire, which he defines as a “Mars/Mars” attraction between two men, from the label “gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
” which, Donovan claims, is inseparable from connotations of effeminacy
Effeminacy
Effeminacy describes traits in a human male, that are more often associated with traditional feminine nature, behaviour, mannerisms, style or gender roles rather than masculine nature, behaviour, mannerisms, style or roles....
and “a whole cultural and a political movement that promotes anti-male feminism
Feminism
Feminism is a collection of movements aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights and equal opportunities for women. Its concepts overlap with those of women's rights...
, victim mentality, and leftist politics.” Donovan uses the term androphilia to emphasize masculinity
Masculinity
Masculinity is possessing qualities or characteristics considered typical of or appropriate to a man. The term can be used to describe any human, animal or object that has the quality of being masculine...
in both the object and the subject of male homosexual desire, and rejects the gender nonconformity that he sees in gay identity. Donovan advocates withdrawal from the gay community and mainstream gay culture, the rejection of the label “gay,” for those men who feel limited by it, and advises those men to concentrate on developing friendships with heterosexual men and to explore traditional male gender roles.
In an essay separate from the manifesto itself, entitled “Agreements Between Men,” Donovan makes an aesthetic argument against same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
, opting for more private arrangements and expressions of bonds, inspired by male friendships instead of heterosexual romance. When asked about legal bans on same-sex marriage, Donovan clarified that he was “sympathetic to some sort of legal arrangement” but “against same-sex marriage, using the word marriage,” on the grounds that marriage
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
is a cultural institution with, “too much historical baggage.”
Some critics have argued that Donovan tends to make too many “harsh, negative generalizations” about the gay community and have described his delivery in Androphilia as “alienating.” Others have implied that Donovan wants to push gay men back into “the closet
The Closet
The Closet may refer to:* The Closet , Chinese film* The Closet , French film* The closet, referring to undisclosed homosexuality- See also :* Closet* Closet * In the closet...
.” One reviewer, writing for Canadian gay newspaper Xtra
Xtra!
Xtra! is a gay magazine, on newsprint in tabloid format, published by Pink Triangle Press in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.-History and content :...
, compared Donovan to a character in a John Rechy
John Rechy
John Francis Rechy, , is an American author, the child of a half-Scottish and half-Mexican father, Roberto Rechy, and a Mexican-American mother, Guadalupe Flores. In his novels he has written extensively about homosexual culture in Los Angeles and wider America, and is among the pioneers of modern...
novel, who “puts a kitten in a brown paper bag and drowns it in his bathtub” in an effort to “validate his masculinity.”
Mark Thompson, gay author and former senior editor of The Advocate
The Advocate
The Advocate is an American LGBT-interest magazine, printed monthly and available by subscription. The Advocate brand also includes a web site. Both magazine and web site have an editorial focus on news, politics, opinion, and arts and entertainment of interest to LGBT people...
(1975–1994), agreed with some of Donovan's critiques of the gay community “in principle,” writing that, “Our popular gay male culture is inundated with countless examples of gay men living shallow, addicted lives – one of many among a tribe of lost ‘boys’ who live only for their own burnished image until it all becomes too late.” Thompson also acknowledged that he would “be among the first to clock the egregious ways of what [he has] long called ‘Gay Inc.’ and its nasty habits of siphoning hard-won dollars into self-perpetuating bureaucracies.” However, Thompson called for unity and found Donovan’s statement that the victimization and oppression of homosexual males was for the most part “an illusion” promoted by gay activists to raise money to be “disingenuous,” citing various examples of what Thompson believed to be serious challenges faced by a wide range of GLBT people. According to Thompson, Androphilia’s message was really only relevant for a “relatively narrow swath of white, middle-class gays.”
Queer literature
LGBT literature
Gay literature is a collective term for literature produced by or for the LGBT community, or which involves characters, plot lines or themes portraying male homosexual behavior.-Subgenres:...
reviewer Richard LaBonte advised readers against writing off Androphilia completely, stating that the book was “a heartfelt argument that ‘the gay identity’ is too sissy, too socialist, and way too libertine for this man-loving man.” LaBonte compared Donovan to Andrew Sullivan
Andrew Sullivan
Andrew Michael Sullivan is an English author, editor, political commentator and blogger. He describes himself as a political conservative. He has focused on American political life....
, Bruce Bawer
Bruce Bawer
Bruce Bawer is an American literary critic, writer and poet. His work focuses mainly on criticism and issues related to Islam.-Personal life:Bawer received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D...
, and Daniel Harris and identified Androphilia’s message as “an extreme manifestation of their kind of stereo-phobia.”
Other writers have applauded Androphilia or embraced the label of “androphile” wholeheartedly. Nick Pell, who interviewed Donovan for Portland, Oregon’s Just Out
Just Out
Just Out is a bi-monthly LGBTQ newspaper published in Portland, Oregon, United States, founded in 1983 by Jay Brown and Renee LaChance. Former contributors to Just Out include novelist Marc Acito, Pink Martini pianist Thomas Lauderdale, and prize-winning reporter Peter Zuckerman.The newspaper's web...
, wrote that Androphilia was “relevant and timely” and would soon be “required reading for young homosexual men looking for an alternative to disco balls, rainbow flags
Rainbow flag (LGBT movement)
The rainbow flag, sometimes pride flag, LGBT pride flag or gay pride flag, is a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender pride and LGBT social movements in use since the 1970s. The colours reflect the diversity of the LGBT community, and the flag is often used as a symbol of gay pride in...
and celebrity gossip.” Matt Moody wrote in his review for the San Diego–based Gay and Lesbian Times
Gay and Lesbian Times
Gay and Lesbian Times was a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender newspaper in the San Diego, California area. The Times was a member of the National Gay Newspaper Guild....
that “finally, finally, another gay man is advocating what I’ve believed for years: the belief that men who admire or love men should be more responsible, not give into the effeminate gay cultural fad, avoid the personal, career, and social pitfalls common to those who live in a completely emasculated world, and build stronger ties with heterosexual men who share common interests.” Homoerotic fetish artist Drubskin
Drubskin
Drubskin, also known as "Drub" is a fetish artist most known for his youthful, homoerotic illustrations and comic book work in the late twentieth century to present day...
described Androphilia as a “liberating read,” and wrote approvingly of Donovan’s challenges to “old thinking,” “victim mentality” and “the prejudices and castrating influences of Feminism and The Gay Movement.”
Blood-Brotherhood and Other Rites of Male Alliance
Jack Donovan co-authored Blood-Brotherhood and Other Rites of Male Alliance with Nathan F. Miller in 2009. ISBN 978-0-578-03070-8 Blood-Brotherhood argues that men have used blood-brotherhood rites and similar pacts to solemnize alliances and friendships throughout history. Donovan and Miller present examples from many cultures, and suggest that men could use the book as a "toolbox for the imagination" to use for modern rites of friendship between men. While the book does not claim that blood-brotherhood is a homosexual phenomenon, Donovan and Miller propose that the idea of forming blood-brotherhoods could be adapted as a substitute for more heteronormative same-sex marriage ceremonies. Reviewer John Safran, writing for Vice, expressed concern that the medical dangers of blood mixing in the modern era were not thoroughly or responsibly handled in the book.External links
- Jack Donovan's website
- Jack Donovan's articles at Alternative Right
- Jack Donovan interviewed on OMNI.10's The Standard (2007)
- Review of Androphilia in Gay and Lesbian Times
- Review of Androphilia in the Bay Area Reporter
- "Jack Malebranche is Totally Not Gay" - Willamette Week editorial
- Review of Blood-Brotherhood in Vice