Books for Parents'Gays the Word' is
a very helpful bookshop which holds a wide range of books on issues of
sexuality, including those for parents and young people. It is to be
found at: 66, Marchmont Street, Bloomsbury WC1N 1AB (020 7278 7654),
nearest tube Russell Square. Please note that it is also an adult bookshop, so there will be a range of books and magazines on sexuality. 'Is it a Choice? Answers to the most frequently asked questions about gay and lesbian people' Marcus, E. (1993) HarperSanFrancisco. A very helpful and sensible book. The parts in which the law is discussed refer to US law, not British. 'My Child is Gay: How parents react when they hear the news'. B. McDougall (2006). Allen and Unwin. 'A Guide for Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays'. Produced by FFLAG 'Beyond Acceptance: Parents of lesbians and gays talk about their experiences'. Welch Griffin, C., Wirth, M. J. and Wirth, A. G. (1996) St Martins's Griffin. 'The No-Nonsense Guide to Sexual Diversity'. Baird, V. (2007) Oxford: New Internationalist. 'Prayers for Bobby'. Leroy Aarons (1995) Harrowing and true story of a fundamentalist Christian mother in the US who did not accept her son's sexuality until after he committed suicide. Has been made into a TV documentary in the US. Websites for ParentsFamilies
and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (FFLAG), the national organization for
friends and families - provides information on other parents groups
around the country - www.fflag.org.uk PACE counselling service for LGBT people offers a family support helpline - www.pacehealth.org.uk Parentlineplus, a charity that supports parents in a number of ways, including bullying - www.parentlineplus.org.uk Parents of Jewish Gays and Lesbians - www.parentsofjewishgaysandlesbians.co.uk Manchester Parents Group - www.manpg.co.uk Parents Enquiry North East - www.parentsofgays.co.uk Support for Parents of Lesbians and Gay Men in Wales - www.splagwales.org.uk Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), the US version of FFLAG - www.pflag.org Depend, a website for the family and friends of trans people - www.depend.org.uk Stonewall (organisation that campaigns for lesbian and gay rights) has an advice line - Terrence Higgins Trust - www.tht.org.uk go to: 'Family Matters' Resources for young peopleIf you have a young daughter or son who has told you, or who you think may tell you eventually, that he or she may be gay, lesbian or bisexual, it is worth thinking about what they read and what they see on television about lesbian, gay and bisexual people. It will be helpful to them if they can experience strong, positive and realistic images. Your local library may have a lesbian/gay teen section, although many don't. Much of the available fiction comes from the USA and is available here. Television ProgrammesTV programmes for older young people which provide positive gay role models include: ' Beautiful People', 'Torchwood', 'Hollyoaks' (which won an award from Stonewall for its representation of gay relationships). 'Shameless', whilst a bleak but funny portrayal of life on a Manchester estate, inlcudes several good (and some bad!) role models. Fiction'Kiss' by Jacqueline Wilson (2007) Doubleday/Corgi Books. Suitable for young teenage readers and is about the impact on friends when a boy realises that he likes another boy at his school. 'Who lies inside' by Timothy Ireland. A sixth former discovers his sexuality. Books for young children with a lesbian or gay family memberIf you have a lesbian or gay family member, then it will be important to think about how to help young children in your family develop understanding and acceptance of same-sex relationships. Start early, before they encounter negative stereotypes. 'And Tango Makes Three' by Justin Richardson. Two male penguins adopt an egg. 'King and King' by Linda de Hann and Stern Nijland. A king doesn't fancy any princesses. 'Spacegirl Pukes' by Katy Watson and Vanda Carter. Spacegirl has two mums. For other resources try: www.outforourchildren.co.uk. Good films to see with your son or daughter'But I'm a Cheerleader...' Making fun of reparative therapy in the USAMilk The story of California's first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk. Maurice Based on the book by E. M. Forster, explores attitudes towards homsexuality in the past. Victim A
prominent lawyer goes after a blackmailer who threatens gay men with
exposure (homosexual acts still being illegal). But he's gay himself... Wilde The story of Oscar Wilde Glossary'Bisexual' refers
to people who are sexually attracted to people of either sex. Not
everyone who experiences both kinds of relationship will necessarily
identify themselves as bisexual.
'Transgender' describes a range of different situations. 'Transsexual' people have the physical characteristics of one sex, but feel that they belong to the other. 'Transvestites' have no desire to change their sex but like to cross-dress. 'Transgender' people may identify themselves as either heterosexual or lesbian/gay. Lauren: Are you gay, Sir?
Teacher: No, Lauren. Lauren: Are you homophobic then, Sir? Teacher: You don't even know what 'homophobic' means, Lauren. Lauren: I don't need to, Sir. I'm not gay. (Catherine Tate Show, BBC2) Young people who are uncertain of their sexuality and still thinking about it are sometimes referred to as: 'questioning'.
'LGB' (lesbian, gay and bisexual) and 'LGBT' (lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender) are commonly-used abbreviations.
'Self-realisation'
is the process all lesbians and gays experience, as they come to
understand that their sexuality is different from most. This may happen
a long time (usually years) before a person starts to communicate with
others about their sexuality.
'Coming out' is the term which describes the act of communicating with another person about one's sexuality.
'Heterosexism' refers to the way in which society is built on the assumption that everyone should be heterosexual.
'Heteronormative' refers
to cultures where heterosexuality is encouraged and other identities
are ignored or responded to negatively. A heteronormative society
disregards the reality of sexual diversity. The educational and social
needs of lesbians, gays and others, and the needs of their families,
are ignored. 'Homophobia' describes the irrational fear that some people and institutions hold of lesbian and gay people and homosexuality in general.
|
|
|
Resources for Parents |