Straight from the Heart: A Love Story

by Rod Jackson and Bob Paris

The dual memoir of two gay men, accounting their relationship, ostracism, and their eventual marriage. Revealing what it is like to be involved in a gay relationship, this book shows how the experience turned two men into outspoken advocates for gay rights.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446517488
• ISBN13: 9780446517485
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: Warner Books (NY)
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.8" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

How Their Marriage Catapulted Them

"Former Mr. Universe Bob Paris and topflight model Rod Jackson tell how their marriage catapulted them from physique icons to international spokesmen for gay rights."--© zebraz

Wonderful love story which should be read by all

Yes, it is true that Bob Paris and Rod Jackson are no longer together, but their love story was still beautiful. This book captures the thoughts of two men falling in love, and as such it should help heterosexuals to understand that our love is the same as theirs. Our marriages are the same as theirs. We have about a THOUSAND obstacles to overcome which heterosexuals do NOT have to confront, so it is a miracle that any of our love stories have happy endings. Some do, this one didn't. But it still shows two beautiful and wonderful people who fearlessly plunged into the treacherous waters of love. Love is always difficult, but when you have the entire world against your love, it is at once more magnificent and far more difficult to maintain. This book should be read by EVERYONE. A young (...)man interviewed recently by the Washington Post said he wished he could be straight so he could marry and have a long-lasting love like straight couples do. This poor kid had never seen a loving (...)couple on television or in a book. What does this say about our representation of (...)men in the media? They are not showing the true, full story. This book shows a bit of the untold story. (...)men DO have love stories just like straight couples. And some have marriages that last more than 50 years, just like straight couples. It is tragic that our (...)youth are never shown this by America's homophobic media, which won't even allow Will Truman of "Will & Grace" to have a date or a kiss on TV. Every public library needs this book to show these kids that love knows no sexual orientation.

"What an inspiration"

Growing up I had no gay role models to look up to. I was so happy to hear about Rod and Bob Jackson/Paris and their book. I highly commend them for their honesty and openness in this book. It truly gave me hope for my future. I know they went thru a lot of public scruteny and humiliation with this book, but I know it will help thousands of gay teenagers and adults. I only hope one day to find my own Rod or Bob.

A fellow gay Hoosier understands Bob's background

Every time Bob Paris speaks in the pages of this book I hear to crickets of Indiana and feel the love of the down home folks we both grew up around. This is a book of a love story of two very different men who cared for each other and tried to build a life of mutual respect and love in spite of their differing world views. This public couple, like all of us who are gay people, had to confront the bigotry and homophobia from family, friends, co-workers,and the ugly thoughts we are taught about ourselves. Their sturggles to love and work are surrounded by their intense desire to work and live in a world of highly competitive people all too often focused on their dystruction. Page after page of the realities of our lives spring out of this book into the hearts of it's readers. Rarley have I ever read anything as honest and personal. That a realtionship like theirs could survive, even for awhile, is alomost beyond human belief. As an athlete I know the rigors of training and competition. This book is an open essay of a grander psycho-social-sexual experience few people understand or would be willing to talk about. I recommend this book to all who long for and study topics around human dignity and struggle. My thanks to the wonderful men who wrote it. It is and always will be a blessing to my heart.

A beautiful love story and an inspiration to many.

This book changed my life. It is as beautiful a love story as I have ever read, and the book has moments in it that touched the core of my heart and soul. I will be forever indebted to Bob and Rod for their work and for publishing this story. It has the power to save lives, just as it did mine.