Publishing this story has been its own challenge. Even before the kidnapping was over, a church press approached CPT hoping for a book. When we were at last able to take a collective breath, after the release of Jim, Harmeet and Norman, and memorial services for Tom, we considered carefully what part of the story was CPT’s to tell and how it might be told. We proposed gathering into one volume some accounts of the many ripples set in motion on November 26, 2005, the day of the kidnapping. One of the lesser-known ripples of the kidnapping was how Jim’s partner, Dan Hunt, and the community of which they are a part, made the heartbreaking choice to become invisible to protect Jim’s life. We were aware that same-sex love is a highly charged issue for many churches. Therefore, we wanted to make sure the publisher would not silence any author by editing out aspects of the story concerning sexual orientation. The publisher and CPT agreed that the book would portray "significant things that happened in the Muslim world, the Christian community, and in those immediately affected," and in that context, there would not be "any kind of censorship" around Dan and Jim’s relationship. The publisher also confirmed their readiness to face the critique this might bring as a result. Tricia Gates Brown, working closely with the publisher’s staff, compiled and edited the collection. On the eve of going to press in February 2007, the publisher demanded that we cut the paragraphs in Dan’s chapter that spoke most tenderly of his love for his partner Jim. The publisher had received negative feedback from church leaders, one of whom characterized Dan’s chapter as "a pro-gay apologetic." When we refused to make the cuts, the publisher withdrew from the project. We found a second church press who expressed interest in the book. We provided them with the full manuscript, including Dan’s chapter, explained how and why the book had been pulled at the last minute, and confirmed that the new publisher’s proposed "house wash" would "not include an editing out, in any way, of the queer element in these stories." They agreed and a second launch date of March 23, 2008 was set—the second anniversary of the release of Jim, Harmeet, and Norman. Again, just a few weeks before the book was to be published, the second publisher informed us of concerns raised by an external reviewer. They asked for the removal of sections "describing Dan and Jim’s courtship and details of their personal relationship, which readers will infer in any case." We refused. The publisher canceled the book. "It seems that the final breaking point of this project concerns one chapter out of twenty-three," the second publisher wrote. "[We] hope that some reflection might enable CPT to consider how a decision to focus on a particular detail has damaged a project with an enormous global canvas." Sadly, what neither publisher seems to recognize is that their editing requirements are part of the same system of homophobia that threatened Jim’s life while he was in captivity, and subsequently condemned Dan to invisibility. The many circles of action and response rippling out around the kidnapping continue. Its impact on diverse people and communities is still important. These are stories that will continue to change lives and open pathways to peace. So we decided to publish the book ourselves. Happily, our self-published edition, which has done well, remains in print and fully available. In addition, however, we are pleased that after publication of our edition we were able to work out a copublication arrangement with Cascadia Publishing House to release, through Cascadia’s DreamSeeker Books imprint, this likewise uncensored Cascadia edition of 118 Days. —Christian Peacemaker Teams |
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