Normal

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I have been thinking and talking about gender, sex, sexuality, culture, health, and illness for the last eight years, and I could not have completed this book without the advice, insights, and writings of the following people, whose help was even greater than I have indicated in these pages: Mariette Pathy Allen, Kay Ariel, Ray Blanchard, Cheryl Chase, Ken Corbett, Dallas Denny, Holly Devor, Mickey Diamond, Mark Doty, Alice Domurat Dreger, Peter Edidin, the Fairfaxes, Lori Fox, James Green, Philip Gruppuso, Judith Halberstam, Suzanne Kessler, Don Laub, Arthur Lavin, Gail Lebovic, Steve Levine, Merissa Sherrill Lynn, Donald Moon, Angela Moreno, Esther Newton, Rachel Pollack, Marc Rubinstein, the Rudds, Leah Schaefer, SPICE, and Sydney Spiesel.

A number of people preferred not to be identified; to all of you who helped me gather information, clarify my thoughts, and better understand things that are not so easy to understand, thank you.

To my agent, Phyllis Wender, extraordinary mix of dear friend, fearless watchdog, and Natty Bumppo, and to my editor, Kate Medina, who believed in this project from its inception and guided me through it with her usual rare deft grace and high standards, I am able to convey only a fraction of my appreciation.

I was also helped by the intelligent conversation, suggestions, and observations of my three dearest critics, Alex, Caitlin, and Sarah, and by the unending encouragement and support of my best reader, editor, and beloved, Joy Johannessen.