BOOKS

Bauer, M. (ed); Am I Blue? Coming Out of the Silence; 1994; ISBN 0-06-440587-7; 16 short stories address different issues for gay and lesbian youth: coming out, friends, hopes, parents and grandparents, relationships, even a "fairy godfather". Each story, accompanied by a short biography of the author, makes compelling reading.

Feinberg, L.; Stone Butch Blues; 1993; ISBN 1-55583-853-7; A novel about the journey of a transgender person coming out as a "butch" lesbian in Buffalo, NY, in the late  1960's, and later transitioning from female to male and searching for community.

Grima, T. (ed); Not the Only One; 1994; ISBN 1-55583-275-X; 21 stories capture many of the fears, joys, confusion and energy of teens coming face-to-face with lesbian / gay issues, in their own coming out, or in learning that a friend or family member is LGBT. These stories will help anyone reflecting on their own anxiety, isolation, excitement, pride, or hope for the future.

Sanchez, A.; Rainbow Boys; 2001; ISBN 0-689-84100-0 and Rainbow High; 2003; ISBN 0-689-85477-3; Both books are easy to read, thought-provoking, and informative. They feature 3 very different young gay men, as they deal with sex, love, virginity, body image, homophobia, bashings, activism, parental / peer reactions, and internet predators. The second book follows their progress to the end of high school, and their decisions about future plans.

Scoppettone, S.; Happy Endings Are All Alike; 1978, 1991, and 2004; ISBN 1-55583-177-X; A love story of 2 young women graduating from a small town high school. Many stereotypic ideas about lesbian relationships are presented, and then sensitively dispelled. The story also deals with the issues of family members' reactions and also sexual assault / rape.

Bass, K. and Kaufman K.; Free Your Mind; 1996; ISBN 0-06-095104-4; A stimulating, practical guide for LGB youth and allies, with comprehensive chapters on Family, Friends, Lovers, Self- Discovery, School, Spirituality, and Community. There are stories from LGB youth, info on famous LGBTs, and great suggestions on coming out, relationships, health, workshops, school climate, hostile questions, resources, groups, religious conflict, supporting LGB friends/family, etc. This book really enables youth to understand and to celebrate their lives.

Borhek, M. V.; Coming Out To Parents; 1993; ISBN 0-8298-0957-0; Outstanding and
enlightening, this book is a practical guide with concrete strategies to help queer youth and their parents understand the “coming out” experience. Provides suggestions on how and when to come out, what reactions to expect and how to deal with the ensuing awkwardness.

Bornstein, K.; My Gender Workbook; 1998; ISBN 0-415-91673-9; This is Bornstein’s playful guide to exploring “Gender”. The topics include living without gender, thwarting the “gender police”, and examining one’s own beliefs, values and feelings about gender identity.

Heron, A. (ed); Two Teenagers in Twenty; 1994; ISBN 1-55583-282-2; Over 40 lesbian and gay American teenagers write about their lives, feelings, experiences, coming out, -- and some advice. These articles portray the diversity within the range of young LGB people.

Jennings, K.; Becoming Visible; 1994; ISBN 1-55583-254-7; An interesting reader in gay and lesbian history, with sections about ancient Greece, Rome and China, early Native Americans, Europe and the USA in recent times, and current struggles / trends. Chapters include study questions. Jennings is the founder / director of GLSEN in the USA.

Marcus, E.; Is It a Choice?; 1999; ISBN 0-06-251623-X; This excellent, clearly written book should be in every elementary and secondary school. The author clearly answers 300 questions about lesbians / gays, touching on areas of religion, family, sex, discrimination, self-discovery, media, dating, aging, AIDS, work, relationships, coming out, and more. Highly recommended.

Russell, P; The Gay 100; 1995; ISBN 07582-01001; Short biographies of 100 of the most influential gays / lesbians, past and present. Apart from the usual names are many figures from history (Socrates, Hadrian, St. Augustine, Hafiz, Petronius, Edward II, David and Jonathan, Queen Christina, etc). Most of the people are American, but at least 30 are European.

Singer, B. L.; Growing Up Gay/Growing Up Lesbian; 1994; ISBN 1-56584-103-4; Well-known and respected lesbian / gay authors tell their stories in this anthology, including excerpts from their books on topics of self-discovery, friendships, relationships, family, and facing the world.

VIDEOS

Living with Pride: Ruth Ellis @ 100                                    (60 min) c1999
This documentary recreates the life of Ruth Ellis, the oldest living “out” African American lesbian, born in 1899.  In addition to exploring her rich past, we get a rare chance to experience a century of history as lived by one proud and inspiring person.

Ma Vie en Rose (My Life in Pink)                                    c1997
Ludovic, age 8, is a little girl in a boy’s body.  For him, nothing is more natural than to change his gender. He believes that miracle is going to happen, and he will be a girl. He is in love with another boy, but his behavior frightens most adults.  The situation elicits intense reactions from parents, neighbors and teachers, but has a profound optimistic ending.

Out of the Past
(65 min) c1998
Kelli Peterson, 17, tells of her experiences forming a GSA in her high school in Salt Lake City, Utah.  The protests, legislative battles and national media attention serve as a modern counterpoint to the history of the human rights movement.  The struggles and triumphs of Bayard Rustin, Barbara Gittings and other US civil rights activists are also profiles in this powerful film.  Audience Award Winner in the 1998 Sundance Film Festival.

The Celluloid Closet
(102 min) c1995
Lily Tomlin narrates this documentary about Hollywood’s treatment of homosexuality in the 20th century, with clips from over 100 films.  It makes a persuasive case for patterns of sexual mythology in Hollywood (gays as dark characters, or as tragically helpless figures).  Clips from more recent films by queer filmmakers suggest a more vital, autobiographical approach.  Includes many interviews with screenwriters, filmmakers and actors, to enunciate the major themes.

The Laramie Project
(96 min) c2003
Although much shorter than the play of the same name, the harrowing nature othe subject matter – Matthew Shepard’s brutal murder – and the clarity of the voices of the inhabitants of Laramie, Wyoming, give this film a remarkable emotional power.  The film was created from over 200 interviews conducted with Laramie residents before, during and after the trials of the 2 boys who killed Shepard.  The interviews create an amazing cross-section of the American views on class, homosexuality, religion, privacy and more.  A winner of the 2002 Sundance Festival.

Adapted from GALE BC

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