LGBTQ Families

According to the recent United States Census, there are 650,000 same-sex couple households in the U.S., and an estimated one-quarter of those households are raising children. In the past few years, several states across the nation have passed Freedom to Marry bills for same-sex couples. But even with the rise in recognition of LGBTQ families, acceptance has not necessarily followed. Unfortunately, young adults in LGBTQ families encounter many challenges, from derision by their peers to the embarrassment of being perceived as different.LGBTQ Families: The Ultimate Teen Guide focuses on the difficulties young people face as members of households in which one or more members are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual, or queer/questioning. This book offers encouragement, insights, and resources to help them cope with and embrace the uniqueness of their family life. Teens and adults from LGBTQ families—and teens who identify as LGBTQ themselves—tell their personal stories and share strategies they use to deal with a sometimes unaccepting society. Topics discussed include politics, religion, media, and bullying.Aimed at young adults with LGBTQ parents, teens who identify as LGBTQ, those who support LGBTQs, and anyone wanting to educate themselves on the topic, this book will broaden understanding and enable teens and their peers to embrace the diversity of the modern family.

LGBTQ Families begins with an overview of each letter of the iconic acronym and progresses into a more thorough look at LGBTQ adolescents, LGBTQ parents, and how trans individuals may affect family dynamics. ... comprises a good blend of opinion and current research, making the series an excellent resource for both individual and curricular research., Readers looking to develop a basic understanding of these topics will be well served by [this] volume. . . LGBTQ Families is written by a straight ally rather than an LGBTQ parent or the child of an LGBTQ parent, which may be a drawback for some readers looking for more of an “insider glimpse.” However, excellent sections on becoming a straight ally and LGBTQ activist may not have been as strong without the benefit of that particular point of view., LGBTQ Families: The Ultimate Teen Guide is designed with the high school age student in mind who wants a broad overview of the issues and questions that teens from LGBTQ families may experience. While the teenage years are a time of great emotional and psychological change, there are many issues that may arise for the teen growing up in a LGBTQ family, including not being accepted by their peers, being perceived as different, or bullying. Information in this work is presented through the personal stories of teens and young adults who have lived through these experiences; most of the stories focus on teenagers growing up in an untraditional family and how their family deals with legal issues, the images pop culture gives of LGBTQ families, and activism. The book features sidebars with interesting facts related to the topic, up-to-date statistics, personal stories, and resources for further information. This book will be useful to teens with parents who of LGBTQ, teens who are LGBTQ, and anyone interested in modern-day families and the teen experience.

Eva Apelqvist is a freelance writer and translator, who has written for children’s magazines such as Highlights for Children, High Five, Spider Magazine, Ladybug, and more. She is the author of Swede Dreams (2007) and Getting Ready to Drive (2011).