Acknowledgments

I feel indebted to the many scientists, therapists, and artists over the years who had the courage to speak up about human sexuality and enrich our understanding of how sex acts as a healing force in our daily lives. It’s through them that I came to appreciate the importance of sexual self-discovery as a valid goal in life.

I am deeply grateful to the patients who make an appearance in this book and who privately shared so much of their pain and triumph of their lives. I hope this book will honor them through the impact their stories have in helping others to celebrate their sexuality.

I am also deeply grateful for the guidance of my agent, Rebecca Gradinger, and the writer Gene Stone who both made important contributions in shaping the composition of the early manuscript, and to my editor, Shana Drehs at Sourcebooks, for her invaluable suggestions as the manuscript evolved. Thanks to social media consultant Adam MacLean and photographers James Meade and Posy Quarterman.

For their support, encouragement, and generosity, I thank my colleagues John Heussy, MD; Bob Bergeron, LCSW; James Carnelia, PhD; and the writers Sheila Heti, Kathleen Cox, and Chase Booth.

Finally, I thank my friends and family—Wade Blackmon; Joey Smith; Richard Mancuso; Bob Ponterelli; Daryl Summers; Bridey; Lori and Mark Burns; Jeffrey Rose; and Judith Caneles—for their love and forbearance. I would have never been able to write this book were it not for the brilliant mentoring of the late Ed Lowe, my coauthor on two previous books, and my first editor at Newsday, Phyllis Singer. Of course, this book would not be what it is without the many extraordinary conversations with my daughter, Alyssa Siegel.