Egypt to Mexico: A Gay Man’s Journey in Addiction and Faith

This memoir is a compelling and deeply personal account of a remarkable life shaped by culture, identity, and spiritual transformation. Born into a missionary family in Egypt, McClanahan vividly recounts a childhood marked by isolation, bullying, and early stirrings of sexual identity. Through his experiences in Japan, New York, and Washington, D.C., he grows in self awareness and acceptance, living as an attractive gay man in the vibrant pre-AIDS world.

His spiritual journey takes him through Europe and Central America and culminates in his becoming a board-certified chaplain and ordained deacon. We accompany him across continents and emotional landscapes. A 12 step program plays a central role in his acceptance of himself and offering that compassion to others.

Uplifting and honest, this is an excellent memoir which resonates across boarders, and every reader is likely to find something meaningful in its pages.