Beyond Acceptance : Parents of Lesbians & Gays Talk About Their Experiences

"Mom, Dad, I'm gay." When a parent hears these words, the initial shock is often followed by feelings ranging from anger and denial to fear and guilt. It's also the beginning of a difficult journey that, with understanding and emotional support, can lead to acceptance and beyond.

Now fully revised and updated, Beyond Acceptance by co-authors Carolyn W. Griffin, Marian J. Wirth, and Arthur G. Wirth remains a ground-breaking book that provides parents the comfort and knowledge they need to accept the gay children and build stronger family relationships. Based on the experiences of other parents, this book lets them know they are not alone and helps them through the emotional stages leading to reconciliation with their children.

“This wonderful book...belongs in the hands of every parent, family member, and friend who knows or suspects someone they love is gay and in the hands of every gay person who is about to share his or her beautiful though unsettling secret. Beyond Acceptance, now updated to reflect important breakthroughs in science and public perceptions, provides a clear and reliable road map for those who seek mutual understanding and respect between straight parents and gay children.” —Brian McNaught, author of On Being Gay (from the introduction)

“Rarely is there a book published that can be called a true 'must.' But if you or especially your parents are not feeling good about their knowledge of your homosexuality, this is one.” —Jeff Kirsch, Out!

“I'd recommend this book to any gay person who has (or has ever had) parents, whether you are out to them or not. And certainly, I'd recommend it to any parent who knows, or even supposes, that his or her child is gay. I'm sending it to mine.” —Lori Ubell, The San Francisco Bay Times