By Sharon Gittleman
What happens when a nun, a gay activist and two football coaches start talking about sex? You'll have to read the book, "Sex Camp," to find out.
"Sex Camp" tells the fictionalized story of these people and dozens more who have participated in the Annual Workshop on Sexuality, held in upstate New York for over 30 years. The workshop is a week-long effort to help people learn more about body image, gender identity, sexual orientation and other aspects of sexuality.
"I decided to write the book because I wanted to make sure the experience hundreds of people had at the Annual Workshop on Sexuality was captured for the general public," said author Brian McNaught.
"Sex Camp" will help readers of every age, gender, sexual orientation and religion learn about their own and others' sexuality, he said.
"By the time they finish the book, they should know more than ninety percent of the population about sexuality," he said. "And they will be asked to look at how healthy is their own sexuality."
People who are sexually healthy enjoy their own orientation and show consideration for others' lifestyles, he said.
"You are comfortable about your decision-making about sexual behaviors and you respect the rights of others who are making decisions for themselves," he said. "You like your body and are open to experiencing pleasure. You're not afraid of asking questions."
There are three hurdles to healthy sexuality: ignorance, secrecy and trauma, McNaught said.
"A lot of us have been impacted by one of those three things," he said.
McNaught's own life has been touched by the effects of sexual secrecy and ignorance.
When he was in his mid-20's, McNaught said he was working as a reporter and columnist for the Michigan Catholic.
"In May of 1974, I started the Detroit chapter of Dignity," he said, referring to Dignity/USA, the nationwide group for LGBT Catholics. "The religion editor of the Detroit News called my home. She wanted to do a story about homosexuality and religion."
When her story was published, it had an explosive impact, said McNaught.McNaught said he was fired in the midst of the public uproar.
"I felt very upset. I had no idea this was going to happen," he said.
Then the fallout began to change in his favor.
"A gay newspaper got in touch with me and asked me to write a column," he said.
A dozen other members of the gay press picked up the column and ran it for 12 years, said McNaught.
"Shortly after that time, I started getting invited to speak," he said.
Today, McNaught, who said he has earned a certification from the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists, lectures about sexuality to universities, Fortune 500 companies and others.
"The primary audience I work with is heterosexuals," he said. "I help them understand who gay people are, what it's like to grow up LGBT, why they need to come out, what kind of response they're looking for and why addressing this issue is important."
Opportunities to discuss and learn more about sexuality, like those enjoyed by the "campers" at the Annual Workshop on Sexuality, can change more than attitudes, McNaught said.
"The experience has transformed the lives of nearly everyone who has attended it," he said.
