StoneWall
Society GLBT Artists Jason Rich Wing |
"Growing
Up Gay In America" Jason Rich Review by: Mountman This book is something that all schools should have in their libraries. Every teacher should read it. Not just a select few that specifically deals with Gay Teens. This book deals more with the Gay male, but can help anyone that is questioning his/her sexual identity.
One of the things that impressed me right off the bat is in the
introduction.
No matter what you like, like to do or would like to do… there are
just as many |
differences
in the Gay community as there are in any community. In between each chapter
there is a section called ‘Shout Out America’. These sections are filled
with quotes from American Gay Youth (ages 15 to 25).
In
the first chapter, Your Sexual Orientation, Jason gives some great advice. Once
you have figured out that you might be gay, talk to someone. He gives examples
of how to approach the subject with family or friends. There is a list of phone
#’s and web addresses for readers to get some questions answered. Such as
PFLAG and the Trevor Hotline Project - This
is the first round-the-clock national toll-free suicide hotline for gay and
questioning youth. It’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a
year. Teens with nowhere else to turn can talk openly to trained counselors,
find local resources and take important steps toward becoming healthy adults.
All calls are free and confidential.
There is a section of questions to ask yourself if you are wondering if
you are gay. Coming
To Terms With Your Own Sexuality, deals with just that… coming to terms within
yourself. “…being
gay isn’t a physical or mental disease, it can’t be cured – mainly because
there is nothing to cure. According to the American Psychological Association,
no scientific evidence exists to support the effectiveness of any therapies that
attempt to convert homosexuals into heterosexuals (gays into straights).”
“Having urges, desires or sexual feelings toward someone (a guy or a girl)
doesn’t mean you’re forced to act upon them.” Wait
Until You’re Ready! Don’t do anything that you are not comfortable with.
Jason talks about the fact that questioning your sexuality can lead to
depression.
Throughout the book Jason stresses the importance of developing a support
system… This may be a friend, relative, or councilor or even a therapist. One
thing to keep in mind, make sure that your councilor/therapist is open-minded.
The worst thing that you can do is having a councilor/therapist that is
homophobic.
There
is one chapter in the book are dedicated to Coming out to your parents. While
other chapters explain what the gay scene is all about, Relationships, Sex, Gay
Life in Cyberspace, Homosexuality and Religion, and Your life and future.
This is one of the most comprehensive books on Coming out. You might call it the Coming Out Manual. I wish this book was available to me when I came out in ’75! If you know someone that might be gay, get this book for him/her. Read it yourself and learn about things that you may not have figured out on your own. Like Jason says, some people don’t come out all at once and some never do. This should be required reading to anyone that discriminates or harasses someone due to sexual orientation.
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