Dr. Michael Brown, author of A Queer Thing Happened to America, will discuss the release of the book and announce the launch of a nationwide campaign for religious tolerance and intellectual diversity at a Washington, DC news conference

Contact: Domenick Nati, 530-346-3342, naticelebs@gmail.com 

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Within days of its release on March 15th, Dr. Michael Brown's 700-page hardcover volume, A Queer Thing Happened to America: And What a Long Strange Trip It's Been, was among the top 300 books on Amazon.com, even reaching #1 on Amazon's "Gay and Lesbian Nonfiction" list and climbing to #3 among all "Gay and Lesbian" titles. Yet this book was considered so controversial that no major publisher was willing to touch it, even though Brown, who holds a Ph.D. from New York University, was the successful author of twenty books, and despite the fact that the book was the result of six years of meticulous research along with extensive interaction with the GLBT community.

Press Conference Details --

When: Wednesday, March 23, at 12:00 P.M.

Where: Lisagor room of the National Press Club, 
529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor, Washington, DC 20045

As Brown wrote in the Preface, "Those looking for a right-wing diatribe based on unreliable, second-hand sources will have to look elsewhere, as will those looking for an angry, mean-spirited screed. In fact, in the pages that follow, the reason there is no anger or hatred in my words is because there is no anger or hatred in my heart." He explained that, "It is the purpose of this book to see how we got to this point in history, to examine some of the main lines of pro-gay thought, to consider the impact of gay activism on our society, and to ask the question: Where is the current trajectory taking us?"

Brown discovered, however, that even to ask that question was to ask for trouble. One conservative pundit noted that, "Book publishing is a difficult business now, and no media is willing to promote a book that opposes homosexuality. . . . Economic self-interest is going to make it very tough for a publisher to say yes."

A conservative publisher informed Brown that, "Practically speaking [publishing the book] could actually destroy the firm," while a top literary agent explained to Brown that he could find no secular or Christian publisher willing to touch the book: "Most thought the material was too controversial . . . all felt that the title would need to be changed."

The representative of the head of a New York City publicity firm wrote to Brown, saying, "Unfortunately [he] spoke with his team and he doesn't have anyone willing to take on Dr. Brown's book," while a publishing insider remarked: "I'd be better off burning the money in my fireplace. . . . . The economics of publishing a book like this are bleak." Because of this, Brown's ministry organization formed EqualTime Books, which is the publisher of A Queer Thing Happened to America.

Brown has named the speaking tour for his book "The Campaign for Religious Tolerance and Intellectual Diversity" since he feels there is an extreme intolerance -- to the point of censorship -- on the part of those who claim to be advocates of tolerance and diversity. Brown, who has been labeled a Nazi, a jihadist, a venom-spewing hater, and an intolerant bigot for graciously differing with the goals of gay activism, noted, "I find it ironic that people have refused to work with me because they were, in their words, 'inclusive,' while other groups have boycotted conservative religious speakers because they were 'pro-diversity.'" For Brown, the goal is simple: "I want to put the information on the table and have a mutually respectful discussion with those who disagree with me." He asks, "How can it hurt if we talk? Whatever happened to gracious, public discourse and dialogue? Is the only side to the story today the gay activist side?"

For more information about A Queer Thing Happened to America, to request a review copy, or to schedule an interview with Dr. Michael Brown, please contact: Domenick Nati, naticelebs@gmail.com; 530-346-3342. Brown is the host of the nationally syndicated talk radio program "The Line of Fire." His website is: www.askdrbrown.org.