Now That You Know: A Parents' Guide to Understanding Their Gay and Lesbian Children, Updated Edition

by Betty Fairchild, Nancy Hayward

Written by two mothers of gay children, this award-winning book discusses the nature of homosexuality and works toward helping both children and parents understand each other. Fairchild and Hayward counsel parents on how to respond supportively to gay children and focus on bringing families together to maintain the bonds of acceptance. They also inform parents of the pressing health and emotional issues that affect the gay and lesbian communities today.

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT, Gay, Lesbian, Self Help, Parenting, Queer

300 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1979

Reviews

[Emma Ann]

An older book (from the ‘70s) but still resonant today. It basically breaks down a bunch of the myths around being gay and shows parents why it’s a beautiful thing for their kid to trust them enough to come out.

I read this one because I’m looking for resources to give to my dad. I don’t think I’ll give him this book, since it is now outdated, but I found it really reassuring for myself. It’s comforting to know that my experiences with my parents have been common for a long time.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a much needed and excellent book when it was first written, but though this edition was updated to include a chapter on AIDS, it is too far out of date for me to really recommend. Some of the stories are poignant, but they no longer reflect America as it is today, and thus lose their relevancy to a parent going through this now. I understand there is a newer edition available, but it, too, was done some ten years ago, and I suspect there are more current books which would better serve.

[Sydney]

I saw this on my partner’s parent’s bookshelf and had to read it. I appreciated seeing where things were at at the time of publication since it was before my time and in a completely different era. I think the best part of this for me was all of the letters included from queer children and their parents. There were also many parts that made me laugh and I’m glad they included the quantification of sexual preference (yay science lol)

[Gerri W Leid · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous read for anyone either Ts Or N4N ha Enjoy the afternoon.