For Lesbian Parents

Your guide to helping your family grow up, happy, healthy and proud

Suzanne M.Johnson & Elizabeth O'Connor

Johnson and O’Connor are two psychologists who have co-authored this book For Lesbian Parents; they are also co-parenting two daughters.

They discuss the extra issues that lesbian mothers face to add to the joys and thrills of raising a child. The authors are open about the way they have answered their own daughter’s questions - and the message they convey is that they want children to understand that ‘different’ does not mean ‘worse’. Johnson and O’Connor accept that as a child in this position gets older questions will arise that pertain directly or indirectly to lesbianism - so lesbian parents who are struggling to find answers should be helped by this book.

They address the issue of homophobia and ways to deal with it. Most parents, whether straight, gay or lesbian, try to minimize the effect of stereotype reactions but children will inevitably meet sexist messages and prejudice, so they need to be prepared. But remember, it is very unlikely that a child with a lesbian mother will be the only child in the class without a father living at home.

Lesbian stepfamilies, stay-at home mothers, single lesbian mothers, and lesbian couples where both women have a child are just some of the combinations of lesbian families today. Coming out, adoption, known and unknown donor insemination are all subjects fully discussed in the book.

Gay fathers face many of the same issues as lesbian mothers so they should also benefit from reading this book. We are reminded that homosexual relationships can break up just as so many heterosexual relationships do, and that if this happens the children will be affected and will need help to understand and to deal with what is happening.

There are good resources listed for additional help: books, magazines, support groups, and organizations.

© Jill Curtis 2002

The Guilford Press    $16.95   £12.95

and is available from ISBN 1572306637

and from