Queer Kids

Queer Kids is a lens of clarity that will help the average straight adult—and maybe even the average gay adult—see things from a kid's point of view. Its detail-oriented, well-wrought chapters will provide you with literally hundreds of stories of young people who are trying to define themselves sexually and emotionally in a society of criss-crossing judgment, stereotyping, anger, and expectation. Aimed at three target groups—counselors, parents, and youth—this book introduces you to a variety of interesting kids, offers you a look at the process of coming out, and helps you grasp the experience of queer identification.

Contents
Preface

• Acknowledgments
• Who Are Queer Kids?
• A Working Vocabulary
• Conclusion
• "Becoming" Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual
• Feeling Different
• Awareness of Same-Sex Attractions
• First Sexual Contacts and Dating
• Self-Identification
• Conclusion
• Coming Out of the Closet
• Stages
• Conclusion
• Challenges for Queer Kids
• What Challenges?
• Conclusion
• The Special Problem of Schools
• School Personnel
• Curriculum
• Harassment and Violence
• Extracurricular Activities
• College Campuses
• Conclusion
• Outcomes for Sexual-Minority Youths
• Statistics
• The Pluses
• Addressing the Needs of Queer Kids
• Change Societal Attitudes
• Provide More Role Models
• Educate Families
• Eliminate Untenable School Conditions
• Monitor Juvenile Courts
• Establish Special Programs and Schools
• Open All Youth Programs to Lesbian and Gay Youth
• Involve the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Community
• Train More Knowledgeable and Unbiased Professionals
• Organize College Students
• Conclusion: Who Owns the Problem?
• Counseling
• Difficulties in Serving Queer Kids
• Education of the Counselor
• Getting 'Em in the Door
• Keeping 'Em There
• Counseling Beyond the Individual Teen
• Helping Suicidal Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youths
• Conclusion
• Counseling for Coming Out
• Challenges to Coming Out
• Counseling Others
• Conclusion
• Parental Acceptance
• Acceptance of a Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual Child
• Acceptance of a Partner or Lover
• Sharing with Others
• Conclusion
• Letter to a Queer Kid
• Who Are You?
• Being Different
• Take Pride in Yourself
• Coming Out
• A Relationshp: That Special Someone
• Gender Needs
• Choosing a Counselor
• Living with Parents
• Celebrate Yourself
• Conclusion
• Resources
• Useful Books for Youth, Counselors, and Family
• Videos
• On-Line Resources
• Talk Lines/Hotlines/Crisis Lines
• National Organizations
• Youth Groups and Support Services
• Pen Pal Services
• Notes
• Bibliography