Coming Around: Parenting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Kids

Im gay. When a child confides these words to a parent they can totally transform the relationship. Whether that results in a closer bond or a broken one is dependent upon the parents ability to accept nurture and honor the child whatever his or her sexual orientation. Coming Around is a resource for understanding and coming to terms with a childs sexual orientation and maintaining a dialogue between parent and child. With compassion and wisdom Dohrenwend addresses parents fears regarding what to say and what not to say bigotry and social and religious prejudice the legal issues facing LGBT individuals and how to understand homophobia. Most important she shares how to communicate that whatever happens with a childs sexual or gender orientation parents will never withdraw their love. Coming out is a vulnerable time. Its announcement requires the re-exploration of a parents personal feelings on homosexuality. Respecting your childs decisions isnt always easy particularly if you fear his or her decisions will cost friends ambitions acceptance and respect. This is a rich resource jam-packed with insights information and practical guidance for parents of gay bisexual and transgender children as well as an indispensable reference for therapists clergy educators and psychological self-help collections.