Let's Get This Straight: The Ultimate Handbook for Youth with LGBTQ Parents - Paperback

by Tina Fakhrid-Deen (Author)

Let's Get This Straight reaches out to young people with one or more gay, lesbian, bi, or trans parents to provide them with the tools to combat homophobia, take pride in their alternative family structures, and speak out against injustice. This short but thorough book profiles forty-five diverse youth and young adults, all of whom voice their opinions and provide advice for other youth living in LGBTQ households. Let's Get This Straight also includes probing questions, fun activities, engaging quizzes, and reflective journal sections for youth to share their feelings and experiences about having a gay parent. By reading this book, readers will learn how to: identify and overcome barriers to having a gay parent; address discrimination and heterosexism; build a strong self-esteem and sense of belonging; communicate effectively with their parents and individuals outside of the LGBTQ community; access resources and support for their families; respond effectively when challenged about being in a sexual minority family; and reduce the isolation, fear, shame, and confusion that can be associated with having gay parents. As the media brings ever-increasing exposure to gay-headed households, this book is more important than ever. Let's Get This Straight is the perfect blend of wit, sharing of experiences, and "expert" advice that children with LGBTQ parents need to become more self-aware and affirming, and to maintain healthy relationships with their parents.

Author Biography

Tina Fakhrid-Deen is an educator, consultant, freelance writer, and community activist. In 2001 she founded the Chicago chapter of COLAGE, and was its volunteer coordinator for eight years. On behalf of children living in LGBTQ families, Tina has presented for organizations including PFLAG, LadyFest, the Adler School of Psychology, Family Week, COLAGE, and Family Pride Coalition. In 2003, she was honored as one of the Windy City Times' Top 30 Under 30 LGBTQ activists in the Chicagoland area. Tina's writing has appeared in anthologies such as Without A Net: The Female Experience of Growing Up Working Class, Sometimes Rhythm, Sometimes Blues: Young African-Americans on Love, Relationships, Sex, and the Search for Mr. Right, My Soul to His Spirit: Soulful Expressions From Black Daughters To Their Fathers, and Homegirls Make Some Noise: Hip-Hop Feminism Anthology, and Families Like Mine: Children of Gay Parents Tell It Like It Is. Tina received her undergraduate degree in communications, and holds Masters degrees in education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and in creative writing and Black literature from Chicago State University. She resides in Chicago with her husband and six-year old daughter.

COLAGE is a national movement of children, youth, and adults with one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer (LGBTQ) parent/s. COLAGE builds community and works toward social justice through youth empowerment, leadership development, education, and advocacy.