The Book: In spring 2003 Billy Bean, the only living openly gay former major leaguer, gained national attention with his breakthrough memoir, Going the Other Way—an unprecedented chronicle of America's national pastime that went on to sell more than 25,000 copies. Bean brings us inside the clubhouse and onto the playing field, offering dead-on insight into the game and the physical and emotional demands it makes on players. Bean faced an agonizing choice, in secrecy and solitude, between continuing to play the game he loved and the honesty of a loving relationship. By turns heartbreaking and farcical, ruminative and uncensored, the book culminates in a respectful, deeply felt appeal to Major League Baseball and other professional team sports to live up to their promise of equality and opportunity. A testament to the power of the single voice, Going the Other Way is an exemplary American tale that points the way toward a more perfect game, one in which all men and women can pursue their athletic dreams free of prejudice and discrimination. An eight-page photo insert is featured in this New York Times bestseller.

Amazon: Going the Other Way: Lessons from a Life In and Out of Major League Baseball
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Da Capo Press (March 24, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1569244618
ISBN-13: 978-1569244616

The Author: William Daro "Billy" Bean (born May 11, 1964 in Santa Ana, California) is a former Major League Baseball player who made news in 1999 when he made his homosexuality public.

Billy Bean played major league baseball from 1987 through 1995. He broke into the major leagues with the Detroit Tigers, and tied a major league record with 4 hits in his first major league game. He went on to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the San Diego Padres. Born in Santa Ana, California, he was a multi-sport star at Santa Ana High School, where he was chosen “athlete of the year” as a senior. He was also selected Valedictorian of his graduating class, and went on to become an “All-America” outfielder twice before graduating from Loyola Marymount University in 1986 with a degree in Business Administration.

The former Major Leaguer kept his personal life a secret from the public and the sports world for many years. Then Billy came out publicly in 1999. His story was front- page news in the New York Times, and subsequently on the nationally televised show “20/20” with Diane Sawyer. He is the only living former major league baseball player to acknowledge his homosexuality. He has been working actively to try and dispel the myth and stereotypes that follow people of diversity. He was a featured spokesman on behalf of the Democratic National Committee during campaign 2000 and 2004. He has inspired many, as a motivational speaker, and a national spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign, reaching out to many young adults who are desperately in need of a role model. In the prime of his career, Billy walked away from Major League Baseball in 1996, in part, because of a year long struggle dealing with the sudden death of his former partner, and the frustration of holding onto that secret all alone. His desire not to let that happen to anyone else pushes him to share his story.

“I believe that all people, regardless of their personal belief, or religious denomination, would agree that being honest with yourself, your family, and those around you, is a great foundation for living your life. It was a difficult, silent journey for me, and I want people to learn from my mistakes, not share them.”

Billy is the author of a book titled, “Going the Other Way: Lessons from a life in and out of Major League Baseball.” (Avalon Publishing Group, NYC.) The film adaptation of his book, was purchased by Sony TV/Film, and will be produced by Storyline Entertainment. He is devoted to staying fit, and competitive sports. He often travels around the country playing tennis in organized tournaments in hopes of raising the visibility of athletes of diversity. Billy has also built a successful real estate career over the past 10 years in Miami Beach. He is the proud owner of two Jack Russell Terriers, named Paco and Beya.

http://billybean.com/

Top 100 Gay Novels List (*)

External Link to the Top100 Gay Novels List (simple - without photos)

External Link to the Top 100 Gay Novels List (wanted - with photos)

*only one title per author, only print books released after January 1, 2000.

Note: I remember to my friends that guest reviews of the above listed books (the top 100 Gay Novels) are welcome, just send them to me and I will post with full credits to the reviewer.

Other titles not in the top 100 list:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog/top50MM