Coming Out as Parents: You and Your Homosexual Child
When gay men and lesbians decide to tell their parents of their sexuality, they have probably already made many trips to the library and (one hopes) found many up-to-date resources on gay sexuality, history, and health. But too often parents find themselves with a severe information deficiency on receiving the news. These two books address the topic of homosexuality specifically for parents of gay children. Beyond Acceptance is the better book. The authors enthusiastically endorse P-FLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) as central to their counseling, effectively re-create typical meeting discussions that address the outrage, fears, and emotional distress many parents feel when a child comes out. Libraries that already have a previous edition of Beyond Acceptance (LJ 5/1/86) should consider buying this revised edition, which has an additional chapter on AIDS among other updates. Switzer, a theologian and counselor who has assisted many men and women in coming to terms with their sexuality and also has ministered to many parents of gays, aims his book at religiously conservative parents. He argues that sexual orientation is neither the parent's nor the child's fault; and, if parents must see their gay child as a trial of faith, love and Christian compassion rather than condemnation and hatred should be their response. Switzer uses biblical references throughout to placate and comfort even the angriest of parents. Both books are recommended. All public libraries need a copy of Beyond Acceptance, and libraries serving more conservative communities should consider Coming Out as Parents.?A. Arro Smith, San Marcos P.L., Tex.Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.