Always My Child A Parent's Guide to Understanding Your Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, or Questioning Son or Daughter

The first book to focus on the day-to-day experiences of adolescents dealing with sexual identity issues,Always My Childprovides the insights and practical strategies parents need to support their kids and cope themselves.Parents whose children are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or who are going through a "questioning phase" are often in the dark about what their children face every day. As a result, offering support that will comfort and fortify them feels like solving a puzzle with missing pieces.InAlways My Child,Kevin Jennings supplies the missing pieces by guiding parents through the world their child inhabits. He explains what these teens often encounter -- teasing and harassment -- and offers solutions for parents who want to better understand their LGBTQ children and learn how to protect their self-esteem. He offers advice, including how to:Initiate constructive communication with their childRespond effectively to frequently asked questionsRecognize depression and signs of drug abuse and harassmentSuccessfully advocate for their child's well-being outside the homeAlways My Childmakes it possible for parents to create the kind of relationship with their children that allows them to grow into emotionally healthy adults.

Kevin Jennings is cofounder and executive director of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). A graduate of Harvard, he lives in New York.