Halperin’s description of ENG 317 “How to be Gay” has introduced me to some new terms like “disidentification.” Apparently, at the center of gay experience there is more than identification. There is disidentification. This means that almost as soon as a gay man learns how to be gay, maybe before, he also learns how not to be gay. Apparently, he says to himself, “Well, I may be gay, but at least I'm not Richard Simmons!”

But, fortunately, rather than trying to promote one version of gayness at the expense of other versions of gayness, Halperin’s course will seek to create wider acceptance of the different ways people determine how to be gay. In other words, there will be diversity within diversity. Or, perhaps, there will be perversity within perversity.

But Halperin issues a stern warning to potential students - as stern as he can be without disidentifying with his culturally acquired gayness: “This course is not a basic introduction to gay male culture, but an exploration of certain issues arising from it. It assumes some background knowledge.”

Halperin suggests that students wishing to prepare for ENG 317 “How to be Gay” should enroll in an introductory course in lesbian/gay studies. But I think they should just catch up on their shopping, trim their Shih Tzu, and rent “Brokeback Mountain.” It’s not like Michigan is a serious university.