Book Description

'What about the children?' -- a concern commonly expressed about children raised by lesbian and gay parents -- is here addressed through the life stories of twenty sons and daughters of lesbians or gay men. With a combination of humour and serious reflection, they examine the effect of their upbringing on their adult lives and place the sexuality of their parents in perspective. Pejorative and stereotypical representations of lesbian and gay parents are firmly rejected in these stories, while associated problems are realistically and sensitively explored. At the core of the book is the belief that parents cannot be responsible for other people's bigotry, but they must aim to equip their children with the moral fortitude and integrity to deal with the prejudice and injustice that they may encounter in their lives. Some of the interviewees identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual, most identify as heterosexual. They are aged from eleven to sixty-six and vary in class and race. Their stories are supported by an analysis of recent research on the children of lesbians and gay men, as well as consideration of the issues raised by interviewees: living with prejudice, what children need from parents, influences on sexuality and who counts as family. This book is essential reading for lesbian and gay people contemplating parenthood, for children raised in lesbian and gay families, for childcare professionals and anyone who wants to understand the diversity of today's families.