In The Velvet Rage, psychologist Alan Downs draws on his own struggle with shame and anger, contemporary research, and stories from his patients to passionately describe the stages of a gay man’s journey out of shame and offers practical and inspired strategies to stop the cycle of avoidance and self-defeating behavior. The Velvet Rage is an empowering book that has already changed the public discourse on gay culture and helped shape the identity of an entire generation of gay men.
I highly recommend this book. It contains many relatable experiences that made me feel seen and understood. It was comforting to realize that my struggles aren’t unique—and even more reassuring to know that there are solutions. I finished the book with a renewed sense of hope and positivity.
Some sections were incredibly challenging to read—so much so that I nearly had to put it down. But it’s important to push through those moments.
I also found it fascinating to learn that issues like chemsex and drug use within the gay community aren’t new. While the dynamics may have evolved and become more modern, people were facing similar challenges as far back as the 1960s.
You can buy it here off Amazon!
