SPEAKING OUT

A collection offers interviews with LGBTQ+ people and their families.

When her 11-year-old daughter announced that she was a lesbian, Schwartz-McKinzie “did not have a map.” What she had instead was love for her child and a determination to support her. In the introduction to this engrossing and stirring collection of personal stories, she explains that LGBTQ+ children are more vulnerable to mental illness, suicide, and homelessness than their straight, cisgender peers and that kids with parents who affirm their sexuality and gender identity fare much better than youngsters rejected by their families. Faith is a stumbling block for many of the folks who share their experiences in this illuminating, valuable volume. Georgette Brown, who grew up in Jamaica, had parents who were “very religious, strict, and rigid Evangelical, Pentecostal, First Assembly of God.” She wouldn’t admit that she was a lesbian even to herself until she was 29. Teri Augustine speaks candidly about how much she did not want her son, Peter, to be gay—in part because she was an evangelical Christian and she didn’t want the bullies who taunted him on the playground to be proven right. Teri’s husband, Steve, describes his disappointment that his son “chose” to be gay, wondering what he had done wrong as a father. Peter himself was reluctant to be gay. But ultimately, the Augustines worked together to reconcile their faith and Peter’s sexuality. Alice and Nathan had a very different experience with their son, Dee. Members of a Universalist Unitarian congregation, they belonged to a religion that is inclusive. Despite having supportive parents, Dee suffered from depression and social isolation as a teen. This compelled Alice to turn to activism. Her efforts inspired Dee to become a mental health professional who works with LGBTQ+ youth. Jenny Goldstein admits to feeling a sense of loss when her tomboy came out as nonbinary and changed zir name to Mordechai. But she acknowledges that her child is so much happier now that ze is zir authentic self. Mordechai underscores how necessary zir transition was by detailing years of gender dysphoria. Although each of these vivid testimonies is different, they all clearly and frankly show how family support—or lack of it—affects LGBTQ+ youth.

An inspiring guide for parents navigating new, sometimes difficult terrain when a child comes out.