Coming out is a vulnerable time. Its announcement requires the re-exploration of a parent's personal feelings on homosexuality. Respecting your child's decisions isn't always easy, particularly if you fear his or her decisions will cost friends, ambitions, acceptance and respect. Dohrenwend provides practical guidance for parents of gay, bisexual and transgender children, as well as an indispensable reference for therapists, clergy, educators and psychological self-help collections.

pt. 1.Tempering first reactions -- Taking a generational perspective -- What is LGBTQ?-- First reactions -- What not to say-- What to say -- Getting it right when you can't agree --Parental adjustments -- pt. 1. Homophobia -- Understanding homophobia -- Dissecting stereotypes ; Casual cruelty -- When homophobia morphs into hate -- Religion and homophobia -- Bullying -- Can sexual orientation be changed? -- pt. 3. The path to healthy adulthood -- Social-emotional development --The only way through is out -- Stages of coming out -- When development derails -- Resiliency and hope -- pt. 4. Health and sexuality --Sexuality: the birds and the bees revisited -- Health risks ; Optimizing health care ; Becoming an in-law and grandparent -- pt. 5. The fight for equality -- Values, rights and laws -- Marriage matters -- Legal protections -- Positively gay.