How It Feels to Have a Gay or Lesbian Parent: A Book by Kids for Kids of All Ages

by Snow; Judith E.

• ISBN13: 9781560234203
• ISBN10: 1560234202
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2004-07-14
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Sometimes I fantasize about having a magic wand. How awesome it would be to wave it and completely eliminate prejudice, hate, and ignorance. Just imagine what it would be like to live in a world like that. How It Feels to Have a Gay or Lesbian Parent: A Book by Kids for Kids of All Ages gives voice to the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of children, adolescents, and young adults who have a gay or lesbian parent. In their own words, they talk openly and candidly about how and when they learned of their parent's sexual orientation and the effect it had on them--and their families. Their stories echo themes of prejudice and harassment, conflict and confusion, adaptation and adjustment, and hope for tolerance and a family that can exist in harmony. Because it's an issue for other people, it becomes an issue for me. I'm angry about the way it works against me.” The stories told in How It Feels to Have a Gay or Lesbian Parent not only reflect the day-to-day struggle of children with a GLBT parent, they also reveal the pain inherent in high-conflict divorce and child custody cases. Children of gay/lesbian parents ranging in age from seven to 31 recall the confusion and grief created when the disclosure of their parent's true sexual orientation ended a marriage and divided a family. The straight” parent's resentment can lead to angry remarks that--intentionally or unintentionally--disparage the gay/lesbian parent and threaten the natural love and affection the child feels for both. I guess the hardest part about having a gay dad is that no matter how okay you are with it, there's always going to be someone who will dislike you because of it.” The one-on-one interviews presented in How It Feels to Have a Gay or Lesbian Parent document first-hand the effects of homophobia on family life. Children struggle with the choice between living in a closet, shamed by peers and family members, or dealing with discrimination as a parent's sexual orientation is used against them. Taken together, these stories make a statement for acceptance, understanding, and tolerance as children do their best to make the transition from a traditional family to a nontraditional lifestyle. My mom is a normal person just like everyone else. The only thing that's different about her is that she's gay and if you can't deal with it, you're just going to have to live with it.” How It Feels to Have a Gay or Lesbian Parent: A Book by Kids for Kids of All Ages offers comfort and support to children from those who share their journey. The book is a valuable aid for practitioners working with children of GLBT parents and an educational tool for GLBT adults considering children.

Table of Contents

Foreword	ix
Felicia Park-Rogers
Preface	xiii
Acknowledgments	xvii
Chris, Age Seventeen	1	(4)
Keila, Age Seven	5	(4)
Meredith, Age Twenty	9	(4)
Trisha, Age Twelve	13	(4)
Sister and Brother: Taylor, Age Eight; Justin, Age Ten	17	(4)
Ruth, Age Twenty	21	(4)
Angel, Age Seven	25	(2)
Sophia, Age Thirteen	27	(4)
Jarod, Age Twenty-Six	31	(6)
Three Sisters: Miranda, Age Seven; Lilly, Age Nine; and Avery, Age Eleven	37	(4)
Erin, Age Fourteen	41	(2)
Stacey, Age Eighteen	43	(2)
Tara, Age Thirteen	45	(2)
Kelly, Age Twenty	47	(4)
Ally, Age Ten	51	(2)
Nicole, Age Thirty-One	53	(6)
Alanna, Age Eight	59	(2)
Lydia, Age Twenty-Five	61	(4)
Andrew, Age Thirteen	65	(2)
Chloe, Age Ten	67	(4)
Clara, Age Twenty	71	(6)
Rickey, Age Fourteen	77	(2)
Brother and Sister: Nathan, Age Sixteen; Rachel, Age Eighteen	79	(2)
Renee, Age Twenty-Eight	81	(2)
Brian, Age Eighteen	83	(4)
Bernadette, Age Fifteen	87	(4)
Jamie, Age Eighteen	91	(4)
Alicia, Age Sixteen	95	(4)
Summary	99	(4)
Resource Guide	103	(2)
Index	105