Straight Author Receives 3 Gay/Lesbian Publishing Awards

(PRWEB) June 19, 2007 -- Straight into Gay America: My Unicycle Journey for Equal Rights is a book that stirs conversation. By the time straight pastor Lars Clausen returned home with his three publishing awards, a fundamentalist Christian already had these words on the opinion page of his hometown newspaper: "My prayer for you ... is that God draws you to himself."

"This is why I wrote my book," says Clausen. "I believe our country and our religions should focus on compassion, not exclusion. I'm sure God already accepts gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. A lot of churches need to catch up to God's love."

Two summers ago Clausen set out on his unicycle to ride 1,000 miles and ask one provocative question, "What do you believe about gay rights?" Delving into these stories brought publishing awards for Straight Into Gay America.

Benjamin Franklin Gold Medal honors were presented to Straight into Gay America by The Independent Book Publishers Association. Foreword Magazine awarded the Book of The Year Gold medal for nonfiction gay and lesbian books. Clausen also took home a bronze IPPY Award for gay/lesbian books. Award ceremonies were held in Manhattan on May 31 and June 1. "These awards further my goal of equal rights for all people, including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people."

Regarding the prizes, Clausen wonders about the judges, "Maybe they were as deeply affected as me by the stories from the road. On the unicycle tour, I met hundreds of everyday gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people." The book also shares Clausen's personal journey. Anyone wanting to know how a straight, married Lutheran pastor turned into a no-holds-barred equal rights advocate will find their answer in Straight into Gay America.

Clausen's activist spirit let to a unique decision. "I give my book away free. Many people still buy the paperback, but anyone who goes to my website can click and start receiving a page each day. I send out a page each day from Straight into Gay America, the entire book for free."

Does it hurt Clausen when he's warned that he's a pastor headed for hell? "Sure, it sets me back, but who I really hurt for are the gay people who believe the damnation that still comes from too many churches. I keep reminding myself that positive remarks outweigh the negative by 20-to-one."

Comments such as this one by reader Craig Leavett are typical. "I see who and what I am within your experience. I trust myself more to know what I want, having learned to love your spirit of defiance and daring to care."

Clausen says he's also looking for a particular reader in the coming year. "I want to make a difference for equality. I want to hear a presidential candidate refer to my book before the 2008 elections." With three national publishing awards for Straight into Gay America, Clausen is closer to his goals than ever before.

BOOK DATA: Straight Into Gay America. (www.StraightIntoGayAmerica.com) ISBN: 978-0-9719415-1-9. 338 Pages. Soulscapers Press. Author Lars Clausen. Illustrator Anne Clausen. Distributed by Ingram Books. Available by July 10 at bookstores. Available immediately at www.straightintogayamerica.com.

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