Synopses & Reviews
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.
Review
Groundbreaking, long overdue, thoughtful and moving-an impressive collection not only of remarkable stories, but of remarkable writing. (Lisa Miya Jervis, editor, Bitch: Feminist Response to Pop Culture)
Review
These are voices we have not heard. There is gold in these pages. (Riki Wilchins, author of READ MY LIPS: Sexual Subversion & the End of Gender)
Review
"Groundbreaking, long overdue, thoughtful and moving—an impressive collection not only of remarkable stories, but of remarkable writing."—Lisa Miya Jervis, editor,
Bitch: Feminist Response to Pop Culture"One of the best collections I've read in 20 years . . . [these] remarkable essays will educate and entertain."—Ritch Savin-Williams, author, And Then I Became Gay
"These are voices we have not heard. There is gold in these pages."—Riki Wilchins, author of Read My Lips: Sexual Subversion and the End of Gender
"Out of the Ordinary succeeds in putting words to the strange, often difficult realities of a peculiar type of growing-up. In doing so, it becomes a rare gem, a book that is as compelling as it is important."—Chelsea Cain, Ms.
About the Author
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.
Table of Contents
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