GLBTQ*: The Survival Guide for Queer & Questioning Teens by Kelly Huegel, Steven Cozza (Foreword by)

From the Publisher

The teen years are full of challenges.

For gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and questioning teens, these challenges can include prejudice, discrimination, rejection, reprisals, insensitive remarks (even among friends and families) and, sometimes, violence.

But being a GLBTQ teen can also be fun and enlightening—when you are comfortable with who you are.

Author Kelly Huegel understands what GLBT teens want and need to know. As a teen, she struggled to realize and accept her own identity. Her frank, sensitive book is written for teens who are beginning to question their sexual or gender identity, those who interested in GLBT issues and rights, and those who need guidance, reassurance, or reminders that they aren’t alone.

Kelly offers practical advice, knowing encouragement, accessible resources, and real-life testimonials from teens who’ve "been there." Topics include coming out (the pluses and minuses), facing prejudice and pressure, getting support, navigating relationships, staying safe, making healthy choices, surviving and thriving in high school, and more.

The message throughout is strong and clear: By accepting yourself, you take charge of your own future.

Created with feedback and suggestions from individuals at PFLAG (Parents, families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network), GLAAD (the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), and other organizations, this book is for any GLBTQ teen—and any straight friend, parent, teacher, counselor, youth leader, or other adult who cares and wants to understand.

Nancy Chrismer - KLIATT

This book is just what it says: a survival guide. Teens who fit into any of these categories will love it. There is information to help teens in many areas, beginning with a chapter encouraging them to explore their own personalities and continuing all the way through high school, college and beyond in the working world. This volume is packed with information that teens will want: how to deal with homophobic behavior, how to "come out," situations with friends and relationships, how to stay healthy, and how to reconcile personal beliefs with religious and cultural belief systems. There are even discussions of how to deal with tobacco, alcohol, and drugs from the viewpoint of teens in these categories. In addition to talking about the high school campus, there is also a chapter containing information on choosing a school for post-high school education as well as how to find a friendly workplace. This book will not be gathering dust on a shelf. If it doesn't disappear completely, swiped by a teen who desperately needs it, it will be in constant use. KLIATT Codes: SA—Recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2003, Free Spirit, 224p. illus. bibliog. index., Ages 15 to adult.

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-A great choice for teens who are gay or questioning their sexuality, or even those who would like to know more about what it's like to be queer (Huegel says it's "a great word because it frees you from using a more specific label if you don't want to"). Written in hip language and style, the book covers the basics in GLBTQ 101, then moves chapter by chapter through the primary issues and questions such as coming out; dating and sexuality; religion; and life at school, work, and home. Each chapter contains sidebar quotes from gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning teens and descriptions of appropriate resources such as books, organizations, and Web sites. GLBTQ doesn't cover any new ground, but it does give sound, practical information and advice in an inviting package from an author who has done her homework and has written the book that she wished she could have read when she was a teen.-Betty S. Evans, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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Table of Contents