Books on LGBT topics

For children, teens, parents,
teachers, and the general public

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In our opinion, the single most important book for gays, lesbians and bisexuals:

By the time that children reach puberty, they have probably heard many thousands of slurs, homophobic jokes, and hate statements directed at a sexual minorities. Unless these negative influences are actively combatted at home, church, school, etc. many kids will grow up believing that gays are sick, unnatural, disordered, majorly sinfull, and abnormal. Adolescents have absorbed society's homophobia. When an adolescent discovers that they are lesbian, gay or bisexual, these negative emotions generally become converted into feelings of shame. In their book: "Coming out of Shame", authors Gershen Kaufman and Lev Raphael have shown how shame:

"... powerfully shapes each individual's development of self-esteem, identity, and intimacy -- three areas in which gay men and lesbians have been extremely vulnerable ... [They] have internalized shame, resulting in self-loathing and destructive behaviors."

In this book, the authors show how to overcome shame and achieve positive self-esteem, create a positive gay identity, and develope intimate partnerships.

Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store Amazon lists the book for $16.24, which is 15% off the list price, plus postage. However, they often have used copies on sale for much less. Amazon.com customers rate the book 4.5 stars out of 5.

Children's books with gay & lesbian characters:

An annotated bibliography was created by Sandra K. Chapman, Early Childhood Educator, Bank Street College of Education. A copy is available at: http://www.glsen.org/ 

Books about or for teens:

	Ellen Bass & Kate Kaufman, "Free Your Mind: The Book for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youth and Their Allies," Harper Perennial, (1996). Read a book review and/or order a copy from Amazon.com. Very highly recommended by Amazon customers who gave the book 5 stars out of 5.
	Frances Day, "Lesbian and Gay Voices: An Annotated Bibliography and Guide to Literature for Children and Young Adults," Greenwood Press, (2000). Read a review and/or order.
	Aaron Fricke, "Reflections of a Rock Lobster" (a novel), Alyson Books, (2000). Read a review and/or order.
	Keith Hale, "Cody" (a novel; 1987) Read a review and/or order.
	Gilbert Herdt & Andrew Boxer, "Children of Horizons: How Gay and Lesbian Teens are Leading a New Way Out of the Closet," Beacon Press (1996). Read a review and/or order.
	Ann Heron, "One Teenager in Ten: Testimony by Gay and Lesbian Youth", Alyson Press, (1983). Read a review and/or order.
	Ann Heron, Ed, "Two Teenagers in Twenty: Writings by Gay and Lesbian Youth" Alyson Books, (1995).  Read a review and/or order.
	Kelly Huegel, "GLBTQ: The Survival Guide for Queer and Questioning Teens," Free Spirit Publishing, (2003).  Read a review and/or order. Very highly recommended by Amazon customers; 5 stars out of 5.
	Lisa Keen, "Out Law: What LGBT Youth Should Know about Their Legal Rights," Beacon Press, (2007). Read a review and/or order.
	M.E. Kerr, "Deliver Us From Evie" (a novel), Harper Teen, (1995). Read a review and/or order.
	Ron Koertge "The Arizona Kid" (a novel). Young Adult (2005). A coming-of-age story of a heterosexual teen with the guidance of his gay uncle. Candlewick, (2005). Read a review and/or order.
	Ian Macgillivray, "Gay-Straight Alliances: A Handbook for Students, Educators, and Parents," Routledge, (2007). 1 Read a review and/or order.
	Don Romesburg, Ed, "Young, Gay and Proud," Alyson Books, (1995). Read a review and/or order.
	Jane Summer, Ed, "Not the Only One: Lesbian and Gay Fiction for Teens" Alyson Books, (2004). Read a review and/or order.

Books directed at parents of gays and lesbians, public school staff, and the general public:

	Robert A. Bernstein & Betty DeGeneres, "Straight Parents, Gay Children: Keeping Families Together," Thunder's Mouth Press, (2003). You can read a book review and/or order a copy from Amazon.com.
	Mary V. Borhek, "Coming Out to Parents : A Two-Way Survival Guide for Lesbians and Gay Men and Their Parents," Pilgrim Press, (1993). "At the heart of this memoir lies a true epiphany: the author's sudden, galvanizing awareness of the suicidal consequences of homophobia. It is a chilling moment, and it is described with a writer's eloquence and a mother's rage. (New Yorker review) Read a book review and/or order collision
	Jimmy Creech, "Adam's Gift: A Memoir of a Pastor’s Calling to Defy the Church’s Persecution of Lesbians and Gay," Duke University Press Books, (2011-MAR-11). Read a book review and/or order. From Amazon.com's product description: "Rev. Creech ... determined that the church was mistaken, that scriptural translations and interpretations had been botched and dangerously distorted. As a Christian, Creech came to believe that discriminating against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people was morally wrong. This understanding compelled him to perform same-gender commitment ceremonies, which conflicted with church directives. Creech was tried twice by The United Methodist Church, and, after the second trial, his ordination credentials were revoked. Adam’s Gift is a moving story and an important chapter in the unfinished struggle for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil and human rights."
	Robb Dew, "The Family Heart: A memoir of when our son came out," Ballentine Books (1995). Read a book review and/or order
	Carolyn Griffin & Miriam Wirth, "Beyond Acceptance : Parents of Lesbians & Gays Talk About Their Experiences," St. Martin's Press, (1997). Read a book review and/or order
	Ian Macgillivray, "Sexual Orientation and School Policy: A Practical Guide for Teachers, Administrators, and Community Activists" (Rowman & Littlefield, (2004). Read a book review and/or order 2
	Bryce McDougall, "My Child Is Gay: How Parents React When They Hear the News," Unwin Hyman, (1998). Read a book review and/or order
	Sandra Scoppetone, "Trying Hard to Hear You" (a novel for adults about gay teens),  Young Agult, (2000). Read a book review and/or order
	James T. Sears, Ed., "Gay, Lesbian, And Transgender Issues In Education: Programs, Policies, And Practice," Routledge, (2005). Read a book review and/or order
	Dan Woog, "School's Out: The Impact of Gay and Lesbian Issues on America's Schools,"  Alyson Books, (2000). Read a book review and/or order

References used:

1. "Gay-straight alliances," at: http://www.ianmacgillivray.com/
2. "Sexual orientation and school policy," at: http://www.ianmacgillivray.com/

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Latest update: 2011-FEB-21
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