Books For Gay and Lesbian Youth
Teen Non-Fiction (with covers)
Parent Non-Fiction (with covers)
Staff Non-Fiction (with covers)
Beyond Acceptance: Parents of Lesbians and Gays Talk About Their Experiences
Carolyn Welch Griffin, Marian J. Wirth, Arthur G. Wirth
"Every happy family is alike, and every unhappy
family is unhappy in its own way," wrote Leo Tolstoy.
Families dealing with a child's homosexuality are certainly forced
by a homophobic culture to experience a whole range of
unhappiness. Beyond Acceptance deals with a variety of issues
facing heterosexual parents of gay children, from facing what the
neighbors will say to worrying about AIDS and social ostracism to
feeling angry and guilt-ridden.
Various people speak about
how they came to their misinformed views about gayness, their
religious beliefs, their fears that friends will abandon them
after finding out about their child's homosexuality, and their
anxieties about AIDS. Often people find similar solutions to their
problems, and sometimes different ones, but in all cases the
message is that understanding, love, and a need to own up to, and
dispense with, ignorant homophobic attitudes can bring families
back together in a wholesome and nurturing manner. Frank,
informed, and filled with insights and practical suggestions,
Beyond Acceptance is a fine addition to the literature on
homophobia and families.
Published by St. Martin's Griffin.
