Straight Jacket

This is an essential read for every gay person on the planet.

Elton John

An essential book... Part sociological polemic and part self-help book, it zones in on some of the issues that disproportionately affect the gay community, from depression and anxiety to drug and alcohol addiction and body and eating disorders. I found myself both deeply upset and hugely relieved by its candour. After reading the book, tender as it is, you can’t help but want to share your own experiences. Consider Straight Jacket a call to arms.

Independent (i)

Matthew Todd thought he had long since dealt with the demons surrounding his sexuality. In [his] new book, he reveals the crisis of shame facing the gay community – and how to solve it.

The Observer

Straight Jacket documents Todd’s own childhood experiences, and the long-term mental health and addiction issues he has suffered; he is also using it to call for a government inquiry into the experiences of LGBT children at school.

Guardian

Matthew Todd dares to shine a light on the dark legacy of gay shame [and] it’s not a pretty sight…There are some uncomfortable and downright terrifying truths to be confronted in Todd’s brilliant, essential new book. It’s difficult to underestimate the importance of Straight Jacket. If you are struggling and want help and don’t know where to look, this book is a great place to start. But even if you’re not, [it] is by far one of the most important books you’ll read this year.

Gay Community News Ireland

Todd doesn’t hold back in calling for a shift both outside and inside the gay community. He calls out hook-up apps such as Grindr, the 'mean girls' persona that so many gay men adopt, and the gay press itself… Straight Jacket isn’t just a self-help book. It’s a resource for anyone with an interest in knowing what needs to change to bring about real equality... For that, Matthew Todd has another reason to be proud.

Evening Standard

Cannot put it down… a book like this is long overdue.

Charlie Condou

An honest and perceptive book.

Sunday Express

Utterly brilliant.

Owen Jones, The Guardian

A smashing book.

Paul O'Grady

Excellent… A valuable contribution to mental health and a must read.

Dr Christian Jessen

One of the most powerful books, sensitively and elegantly written, I think, that I have ever read.

Lord Michael Cashman CBE

The book everyone is talking about… This is probably the most important thing I’ll ever read as a gay man. Full of profundity and fearless honesty.

Youtuber Calum McSwiggan

It’s an important book. I had to read it right through. It tackles some tough issues and is searingly honest

Lorraine Kelly

I got so much out of that book and I know a lot of people have. It’s helping a lot of people. It’s a bible.

Performance artist David Hoyle

I’m about to read Straight Jacket for a second time. Brilliant, important, inspiring, brave.

Rucomingout.com's Wayne Dhesi

An honest insight into LGBTQ life that everybody should be enlightened about regardless of sexuality.

Rylan Clark-Neal

This powerful book, I believe, will save lives. I’d like to see every gay man read this.

Juno Dawson, The Guardian

A superb book… Have read it twice now.

Oliver Thring, <i>Times</i> journalist

The book we should all be talking about.

Prowler magazine

Thank you for writing this book. It is a must read.

Activist Bisi Alimi

One of the best books we have ever read. Honest, thought provoking and much needed.

Q Scene magazine

Finally started to read Straight Jacket. I’m already blown away. An incredibly honest and insightful read. Bravo Matthew.

Journalist Tom Knight

This book should have been written a long time ago, but it wasn't...Everyone, no matter what their background, will benefit from reading this book. A much-needed and healing work of tough love, written with love.

John Grant

A sensitive subject, brilliantly and intelligently handled.

Evan Davis

If only this had been written twenty years ago I can only imagine the lives that could have been saved sooner. This is a hugely important book for everyone. It's changed the way I see myself, other people and the world.

Paris Lees

Straight Jacket is a really brilliant and moving read for everybody especially LGBTQ+ people. Thanks Matthew.

<i> Years and Years </i> singer Olly Alexander

An excoriating book, Straight Jacket: How to be Gay and Happy delves into contemporary gay culture to address a plethora of issues gay people continue to face in 2016.

Attitude

There are some uncomfortable and downright terrifying truths in Todd’s brilliant, essential new book... It’s difficult to underestimate the importance of Straight Jacket. It’s fundamentally a call to arms, a wide-ranging, desperately heartfelt cri de coeur… The gay community needs to look at ways of taking better care of itself, being nicer to each other and offering and providing support when it’s needed.

Gay Community News, Dublin