The book has been used in queer studies as well as related college courses in universities McBride was a guest speaker at several universities speaking about the essay's subjects of race and sexuality in America. McBride has been recognized as a specialist in bridging LGBT and racial issues illuminating both.
The often personal essays speak to the ' ghettoization of black men in gay male porn' to broader subjects including the book's namesake Abercrombie & Fitch and how the clothing retailer influences the gay African-American male. The book is divided into three main sections: 'Queer Black Thought', 'Race and Sexuality on Occasion' and 'Straight Black Talk', all exploring facets of the intersections of race, sexuality, class and gender issues. The book was published by New York University Press. McBride published the book while serving as dean of the Graduate School at Northwestern University, where he was Chair of the Department of African American Studies from 2002-2007.
