Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Your Mind. Friend or Foe?
- Movie Magic
- Reality Magic
- Pathways to Reality
- Example: Three Paths to Reality
- Re-act and You’ll See the Same Play Again
- Perspective
Chapter 2: Empathy and an Open Mind
- The Golden Rule
- Letting Go of the Ego
- Developing Self-Awareness
Chapter 3: Stereotypes and Myths
- Myth 1: Being Gay Is a Choice
- Myth 2: All Gay Men Are Effeminate/All Lesbians Are Masculine
- Myth 3: Gay People Are Easy to Spot
- Myth 4: Gay Men Are Attracted to All Men
- Myth 5: AIDS Is God’s Punishment for Homosexuals
- Myth 6: Gay Parents Raise Gay Children
- Myth 7: It’s Just a Phase
- Myth 8: Strong/Weak Parenting or Childhood Trauma Causes Homosexuality
- Myth 9: Gays Should Just Keep It to Themselves
- Myth 10: Homosexuals Are Pedophiles Experience Is Your Teacher
Chapter 4: What Does It Mean to Be Gay?
Chapter 5: Homosexuality and the Media
- Confirmation Bias
- Choosing the Right Sources
Chapter 6: Gay Rights
- Serving in the Military
- Same-Sex Marriage
Chapter 7: Homosexuality and Religion
- Real Stories, Real Teenagers
- You Can’t Punish the Gay Away
- Shame vs. Religion
- Interpreting Religious Texts
- Citing with Ignorance
- The Sin of Sodom
- Jesus and the New Testament
- Leaders Who Need to Be Led Instead
- The Power of God
- Handle Your Weapons with Care
Chapter 8: So, You Have a Gay Child
- Homophobia and Bigotry
- Fear for Your Child’s Safety
- Creating a Safe Place to Come Out
- Parents Have a Closet Too
- Gay Reparative Therapy
- What Support Looks Like
- Siblings and Extended Family
- You Are Only in Control of You
Chapter 9: When Your Child Is Bullied
- A Rite of Passage?
- It Gets Better
- If Your Child Is the Bully
Chapter 10: Internalized Homophobia
- What Is Internalized Homophobia?
- Accepting Your Body
- A Note About Being Transgender
Chapter 11: If You’re Being Bullied
- Personal Security
- Tactics and Strategies
- Allies May Appear
- It’s About Them, Not About You
- It Gets Better
- When It’s Time for Help
- When You Witness Bullying
Chapter 12: Coming Out
- Location, Location, Location
- Why Come Out
- Who to Come Out To
- When to Come Out
- How to Come Out
- A Journey, Not an Event
Chapter 13: A Life Worth Living
- Parents of Gay Children
- Gay Readers
- A Final Word