The Complete Lesbian & Gay Parenting Guide

by Arlene Istar Lev, Eve Diana (Contributor)

Gay parenting is a productive and positive decision, but author and lesbian mother Arlene Lev admits it isn't always an easy one. With practical wisdom and advice, and personal real-life stories, Lev prepares gay parents for this endeavor with everything they need to know and everything they can expect while making their own significant and challenging mark on family life in the 21st century.

Genres: Parenting, Reference, Nonfiction, Queer

400 pages, Paperback

First published November 2, 2004

About the author

Arlene Istar Lev is a North American clinical social worker, family therapist, and educator. She is an independent scholar, who has lectured internationally on topics related to sexual orientation and gender identity, sexuality, and LGBTQ families.
She has been a lecturer at the School of Social Welfare at the State University of New York at Albany since 1988, and is the founder and Project Director of its Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Project. Additionally she has been an adjunct professor at Smith College of Social Work, Empire College, Rockway Institute, California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Excelsior College, Vermont College, and the Union Institute and University.
Arlene Lev has been a practicing psychotherapist and family therapist, and is the founder and Clinical Director of Choices Counseling and Consulting in Albany, New York. She is the author of the groundbreaking book Transgender Emergence: Therapeutic Guidelines for Working with Gender-Variant People and their Families, as well as The Complete Lesbian and Gay Parenting Guide.

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Addresses the thoughts and fears that many people face. Offers advice on how to deal with problems and questions but mostly lets you know that you weren't the first person to have that question or fear. Contains many personal accounts and examples.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. Perhaps because it was published in 2004, the author had less material to work with in terms of studies about gay MEN parents. The difference between this book and others is that this has more to do with positioning yourself as a GLBT parent, rather than techniques for raising children. It starts off with learning to accept yourself, especially since children will out you if you haven't already come out! The author then covers various family structures, methods for having a child, legally protecting your family, as well as how to deal with situations arising from extended families, chosen families (a.k.a. good friends), neighborhoods, school administrators/teachers, churches, inter-religious parenting, sex vs. reproduction discussions with the kids, etc.

This is a good resource for GLBT-specific parenting. The next book I'd like to read on parenting will be a book with updated legal processes, family studies, political situations, and something more specific to gay men.

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was what I was searching for in a LGBTQ parenting book. There are many books out there that will share how to raise children, ages and stages, etc. This book focused on the blessings, challenges and other cultural influences of being a parent who is gay, and included many examples of our we create our family units and support systems. The topics were appropriately targeted and the narratives provided at relatable experiences (both the good, bad, beautiful and ugly). I recommend it.