James Herbert Williams
Gerald Mallon's new book is a timely and important look at a rarely researched issue in family development, namely those gay men who choose parenthood. This work is comprehensive in scope and should contribute to a greater understanding of some of the issues and challenges faced by this pioneering group of gay men. I applaud the author's sensitive analyses and insightful conclusions which will inform future research agendas and practice models.
— James Herbert Williams, PhD, E. Desmond Lee Professor of Racial and Ethnic Diversity, Washington University in St. Louis
Dr. Joyce Maguire Pavao
Gerald Mallon's book Gay Men Choosing Parenthood gives the reader an opportunity to explore the fact that no one has the right to be a parent, but anyone who has the desire and the ability to provide a safe and stable family for a child in need, should be able to provide that healing and that family. People may have problems with policy around gay parenthood, but once a family is formed, we must work to provide the holding environments to keep that family -- and most especially those children -- safe and sound. Fathers are often underrated and underserved in general, and the world at large and professionals whowork with families need to have an understanding of the challenges and how to provide support, especially for gay fathers.
— Dr. Joyce Maguire Pavao, DEO and Founder of Center for Family Connections, Massachusetts; author of Family of Adoption
Peg Hess
Mallon skillfully grounds the unique narratives of gay fathers in the complex contexts in which they parent. These include the culture of the gay community and the mothercentric cultures of the child welfare system, neighborhood, school, and pediatrician's office. Mallon's original and compelling work challenges our biases, informs our professional practice, and reminds us that our attachment to myths keeps children waiting.
— Peg Hess, professor, University of South Carolina College of Social
Work
James J. Kelly
At long last, author Gerald Mallon has given voice to that unacknowledged vanguard of gay men who have stepped forward to parent children in need—without asking for anything in return but the opportunity to be loved by a child. This sensitive and timely book is required reading for all child welfare professionals and for gay men who are, or will be, parents. Drawing on an exhaustive review of research literature and social and legal policies, and enlivened by quotes from personal interviews, Mallon gives us an "everything-you-need-to-know" primer on gay male parenting—from strategies to becoming a father, to the realities of child rearing demands, and interacting with family, friends, and community.
Doctor - Joyce Maguire Pavao
Gerald Mallon's book Gay Men Choosing Parenthood gives the reader an opportunity to explore the fact that no one has the right to be a parent, but anyone who has the desire and the ability to provide a safe and stable family for a child in need, should be able to provide that healing and that family. People may have problems with policy around gay parenthood, but once a family is formed, we must work to provide the holding environments to keep that family — and most especially those children — safe and sound. Fathers are often underrated and underserved in general, and the world at large and professionals whowork with families need to have an understanding of the challenges and how to provide support, especially for gay fathers.
Terry Boggis
Though gay men have been fathers forever, gay men consciously having children in the context ofpartnered same-sex relationships is a recent social phenomenon. As men pioneer this new form offamily, there has been precious little literature to light the way. Gerald Mallon's book is a beaconfor scholars and researchers in this new field of study, but most of all, for gay men setting forth onthe journey to dadhood.
— Terry Boggis, Director, Center Kids, the family program of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center
