LGBT Youth Issues Today: A Reference Handbook

(Hardback)

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Description

The increasing numbers of LGBT teenagers who choose to live their lives as "out" youth face unique issues within their schools, families, and communities. This book provides information that will help LGBT youth overcome their challenges and give non-LGBT youth a better understanding of sexual identities different from their own. While all youth are likely to face traumatic or stressful situations in their transition to adulthood, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered (LGBT) youth face significant and specific challenges in their livesa result of living in a society that has yet to accept or be comfortable with the idea of same-sex or other "non-heterosexual" attraction, especially among young people. LGBT Youth Issues Today: A Reference Handbook presents historical background on the topic, provides an up-to-date examination of the issues of concern to LGBT youth, and offers in-depth information and resources for further research. In addition to providing frank, accessible information about the problems, controversies, and solutions facing today's LGBT teenagers, the work contains a chapter of essays from informed individuals regarding same-sex relationships among youth, voicing the experiences and opinions of activists, social workers, psychologists, educators, parents of LGBT youth, and LGBT youth themselves. Also included is a chapter profiling about 20 individuals and organizations that have been involved in discussions about gay and lesbian youth, such as Tony Perkins, Kevin Jennings, Robert Parlin, the GLBT National Help Center, It Gets Better, Gay Lesbian Straight Educational Network (GLSEN), Family Pride Coalition, Out Scouts, Family Research Council, and the National Organization for Marriage (NOM).

Reviews

Part of the Contemporary World Issues series, this book addresses the major issues faced by LGBT youth, such as gaining acceptance of their sexual identity, coping with a hostile school environment, or dealing with rejection by friends or family members. . . . An important resource on a popular topic, this title will most benefit high school and public libraries. * Booklist *
This one-volume handbook by independent scholar Newton offers a solid introduction to personal and political issues many American LGBT youth face. . . . 'Resources for Further Research' provides an impressive bibliography for those wishing to delve into various issues more deeply. This volume will be most valuable for high-school and college-age readers, but the bibliography makes it a useful source for other researchers as well. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, general readers. * Choice *

Author Bio

David E. Newton has been a freelance writer of nonfiction books and ancillary materials for young adults for nearly 55 years.