OUT OF THE CLOSET INTO OUR HEARTSCelebrating Our Gay / Lesbian Family Members
Edited by Laura Siegel / Nancy Lamkin Olson
160 pages, $15.95 paperback ISBN 0-943595-84-3
**For discount and ordering information--see below
The first indepth collection of articles / essays written by the families (parents, siblings, grandparents, children and extended families) of gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people. Illustrated with numerous photos.
**Including pieces by pflag-talk moms and dad: Liz Armstrong, Joe 'PapaJoe' Basile, Deb Bridge, Margy Kleinerman, Nancy Lamkin Olson, Rhea Murray, and Laura Siegel
Six sections explore various perspectives on how these relationships are celebrated:
We're Here, We're Family, Get Used To Us
Moving articles showing the power of unconditional love, including a loving tribute by film critic, Gene Shalit, to his son Pete.What's Gay Anyway?
Family members address the many ways of being gay from drag to butch to transgender to just being "like everyone else."Expanding Our World
How lives have been enhanced, broadened by having a gay family member.Taking Our Faith Seriously
Family members share different religious celebrations, rituals, enlightenment. Includes "Heart of a Flower," tribute to a gay son who died of AIDS and a flower that bloomed in his honor.AND ALL WE DID WAS LOVE
How profound is the simple act of love.I Know That You Love Me But When I Walk Out The Door Who Else Will?
Family members share how they work to end homophobia. This section ends with a poignant piece by Dennis Shepard, father of Matt.
"Out of the Closet is the kind of book you want to keep forever and share with everyone you now. The stories are thoughtfully woven together, creating a warm tapestry of unconditional love and acceptance... This book should be read by all people who appreciate living honestly, loving deeply and making the world a better place." --Kirsten Kingdon, Exec. Dir. PFLAG
"If history is biography, as someone has observed, then this book is nothing less than vital and moving history... it is time to celebrate the victory. The homophobic majority in every Christian Church is in steady retreat... This book is a god send, revealing as it does the human side of oppression."
-- John Shelby Spong, Episcopal Bishop of New Jersey (ret.)
"This book tackles the complicated terrain of family, gender and sexuality, and difference with honesty and complexity. I saw my own family's struggles and triumphs mirrored in these writers' words; and I saw a vision for a society based on families that take the time to understand and honor each other. I couldn't put it down until I'd hungrily feasted on every word."
--Felicia Park-Rogers, Director, COLAGE (Children of Lesbians & Gays Everywhere)
The book is available at amazon.com and bookstores.
A special discount of 15% is offered to PFLAG or COLAGE members and their friends when they order the book directly from the publisher.
TO ORDER: Discounted price plus postage is $15.55/copy. Calif. residents add 8% sales tax. Orders from Canada/overseas: add $8.00 postage/book (surface mail), or $16.00 (airmail). Send check/m.o (no credit cards) along with your name, address and the number of copies you would like, to Leyland Publications, POB 410690, San Francisco, CA 94141. Make checks payable to Leyland Publications. Additional discount on bulk copies of 25 or more. Questions or comments email celebratn@aol.com
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