Out of the Closet Into Our Hearts: Celebrating Our Gay/Lesbian Family Members

by Laura Siegel

Book Overview

The first in-depth collection of articles written by the families of gay men and lesbians that celebrates the victory of the family over homophobic bigots that have for so long attempted to ruin the lives of gays and lesbians. Should be read by everyone who is the parent, grandparent, brother or sister of a gay or lesbian.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0943595843
• ISBN13: 9780943595849
• Release Date: June 2001
• Publisher: Leyland Publications
• Length: 157 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

The Perfect Gift for the Family of a LGBT Person.

The stories are unmistakably from the heart and the courage that these people display would be remarkable except for the love they have for their lgbt family member, which makes it all make sense. A mention of a relative who always wore dresses in a matter of fact way is refreshing. A mother riding on the back of a daughter's motorcycle in a 'dikes on bikes' contingent in a gay pride parade show the fun parents can have when they get over society's biases, they no longer claim as their own. The proud father with the gay son license plate has to be a wonderful emotional lift to young person who is on the border of hating themselves from ingesting the homophobia in society. This is a wonderful gift to give for the holidays to family members who are accepting but haven't gone the next step to speaking out and educating society to make the world a safer place for their gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender loved ones. The humor srinkled throughout the stories tickled my heart as the real stories of rejection teared my eyes as I learned so much about those who reached out in love and became better persons in the process. The mother who took her son to a gay bar so he could socialize while she could keep her eye on him as he learned to spread his wings was precious. Every gay man would love to be blessed with a mom like her.

The best book that I have read about gay family members

Reading "Out of the Closet Into Our Hearts" was a joyful experience. All too often, books and stories about gay family members who come out to their straight family members are about coping with the experience instead of celebrating it. Our gay family members have added much happiness to our lives. This book tells stories of family members who have had many positive experiences because of a gay sibling, child, parent, cousin, or other loved ones. It simply was an incredible book and a must for everyone. It will certainly open your eyes and your heart.

Finally a book that celebrates our lives!

A beautiful book filled with honest heart warming stories. It was so refreshing to read about people that not only accept their gay family members but celebrate and cherish them. Highly recommended for all people that have a gay or lesbian loved one.

Out of the Closet - Into Our Hearts

Editors Laura Siegel and Nancy Lamkin Olson have given a gift of wisdom and hope to gays, lesbians, transgenders, their families and friends. Out of the Closet - Into Our Hearts presents the reader with prose balanced with poetry and drawings illuminating lives in multiple modes to reach and connect with every type of person who reads and is willing to listen. Brief narratives with depth of passion, love and being proud fill this book almost to the bursting point. The reader finds a wonderful slice of the real world -- as varied and unique as each person is whether gay, straight, lesbian or transgender.Those that are the most personally touching include Mom, What's Gay? in which Deb Bridge exhibits the courage and love for her son that I wish my mom had been capable of expressing for me. Just Like Everyone Else, Laura Siegel's poem to her son, Stuart, brought tears to my eyes to see such joy by a mom for her son. Such absolute love and support, knowing and accepting all that her son is. The relationship of mother/son, friend and confidante at such a deep personal level is something I was never able to reach with my own mother. Melissa Pinol's Back to the Bear World shares the timeless love between Melissa and her brother Grant. In spite of overwhelming interference from their parents, including forced separation, the close bond between brother and sister persisted, developing into deep and compassionate caring. Melissa enabled her brother to reach the end of his life with dignity and peace. Duncan Zenobia Saffir's short poem about his brother, Uncomfortable, is packed with the simplicity of love. ...And All We Did Was Love is a collection of stories that are full of tears, laughter, support and love. Out of the Closet - Into Our Hearts is a primer for all to read and reflect on the importance of love in each person's life. The stories offered are not only affirming to out gay, lesbian and transgender people, but also especially affirming for those struggling to come out and parents and family struggling to accept and understand.As I sat in my living room engrossed in these stories, I asked myself `Why can't I stop reading this book?' The answer: Because it is compelling, honest, loving and sincere.I came out to my parents in 1967 at the age of 19. If it weren't for the love and support of my mother, I would not be writing these lines. As the favorite and youngest of 3 sons, my mother and I developed a deep, loving relationship. She positively influenced my life in many ways, including my career choice, as I followed in her elegant footsteps and became a librarian. Back then, over thirty years ago, my gay friends and I yearned for a future that included acceptance, openness and civil rights. Back then, we would have said Out of the Closet - Into Our Hearts would be classified as fiction since it was inconceivable that anything like this could be written...and published. Lucky for us that today it is FACT.What I want to know is.

COLLECTION OF PERSONAL NARRATIVES FROM THOSE WHO KNOW!

I'm buying 3 extra copies, which I will set aside in my "gift box" and present to just the right person eventually - would I recommend this book - YES!When someone comes out of the closet, it is such a difficult decision on all fronts. We I be accepted by my friends.....my family members.....my own parents? There are lots of books that profess to offer insight into how difficult that must be, but never has it been done so thoroughly and eloquently as in "Out of the Closet Into Our Hearts". This book is going to help SO many people, and open LOTS of eyes. It provides glimpses into the lives of people who have come out and met with love and support, and some not-so-pleasant experiences are shared.......but the key here is that you get to hear real, shared experiences.And what's more, Matthew Shephard's dad offers comments that couldn't possibly be anything less than poignant, yet somehow a bit uplifting and certainly eye-opening.Whether you are gay yourself, have a family member who is....know a friend struggling with the decision to come out......or even a friend who's done it "smoothly" and with the love of those close to them).....you have to BUY THIS BOOK!