Out of the Ordinary: Essays on Growing Up with Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Parents

Out of the Ordinary is a truly unique anthology, a groundbreaking collection of essays by the grown children of lesbian, gay, and transgender parents. Ranging from humorous to poignant, the essays touch on some of the most important and complicated issues facing them: dealing with a parent's sexuality while developing an identity of one's own; overcoming homophobia at school and at family or social gatherings; and defining the modern family. In a time when traditional family structure has undergone radical change, Out of the Ordinary is an important look at the meaning of love, family, and relationships, and will speak to anyone who has lived or is interested in non-traditional families.

With a foreword by Margarethe Cammermeyer, Ph.D., author of Serving in Silence, and a preface by columnist and author Dan Savage, Out of the Ordinary also includes a resource guide of organizations that offer support for the hundreds of thousands of gay, lesbian, and transgender parents and their children. As the demographic increases, this book becomes an invaluable tool for learning, understanding, and acceptance.

Noelle Howey is a freelance editor who has contributed to numerous magazines and web sites, including Ms., Self, Time Out, Mademoiselle, and Mother Jones. She is also the author Dress Codes.

Ellen Samuels is an award-winning poet and teacher who lives in Berkeley, California. She holds an M.F.A. in creative writing from Cornell University and has published poetry and articles in numerous literary journals.

Acknowledgments

Preface by Dan Savage

Foreward by Colonel Margarethe Cammermeyer, Ret., Ph.D., with her son, Tom Hawken

Introduction by Noelle Howey & Ellen Samuels, editors

NOTHING TO by Sophia Gould

MY FATHER'S EYES by Tristan Taormino

THE PROMISE OF DESSERT by Julie Diana Rawley

SEXUAL HEALING by Noelle Howey

ACTING LESSONS by Peter Snow

I REMEMBER REACHING FOR MICHAEL'S HAND by Stefan Lynch

MY MOTHER AND THE NUN by Kelley Conway

MORAL FABRICS by Jennifer Dimarco

FREAK by Morgan Green, with Ellen Samuels

TRANSLATIONS by Jeffrey Wright, with Christopher Healy

SMILE AND SAY NOTHING by Ian Wheeler-Healy

FATHER'S DAY by Maria De La O

THE PLAIN TRUTH by Meema Spadola

SHE'LL ALWAYS BE MY DADDY by Laurie Cicotello

TAMBOURINE DANCER by Rivka Solomon

CHARLOTTE by Meagan Rosser

GETTING CLOSER by Laura Zee

TURNING INWARD by Kris Giesing

HOME MOVIE by Becky Parker

RITES OF PASSAGE by Daniel Belasco

THE PERILS OF KNOWING by Alysia Abbott

Contributors

About the Editors

Resources