Customer Reviews

Family Outing

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

It is a shame that this book, along with Betty DeGeneres' "Love, Ellen" book, weren't available 20-30 years ago. These books could have saved thousands of gays and lesbians and their parents much pain and anguish. Coming out is never easy, but this book and Betty's can help to serve as a great starting point. Chastity talks about her own coming-out process; most importantly, she includes coming-out testimonies from ordinary, every-day folks. Sensitively written, this book is a valuable tool. To those who cannot bring themselves to disclose, buy this book for help and guidance. To those who cannot bring themselves to accept, buy this book (and Betty's too), and become enlightened.

Family Outing is an exceptional book. Chastity Bono is real, honest, and upfront. Not only does she tell us what it was like to "come out" to her famous parents (Sonny and Cher), but tells the stories of many ordinary, down-to-earth people. Chastity comes across as the type of person you could curl up on the sofa and just shoot the breeze. Just a great person.

Ms. Bono has written a book that isn't depressing, isn't frilly and foolish, yet is emotionally bound without all the goos and gaas.

I recommend Family Outing highly. Some day it'll be compulsive reading in schools. Excellent job, Chastity.

The tears that rolled down my cheeks as I read through this book were a reminder to me that I was certainly not alone when it came to "outing" myself to friends and family. Because this comes straight from real life experiences, you take the ride with Chastity and those amazing people she spoke to throughout her book and read about their various experiences in "coming out". I know that many people of all ages who have or are going to "come out" should at least try to read this amazing book because believe me, it made me a lot wiser, stronger and confident and finally telling my family and friends that I was a lesbian not only became easier but gave me a real sence of freedom to finally be me.

Family Outing is a smart and much-needed book. Chastity Bono's own story of the coming out process is told along with the stories of many other lesbians and gays at different phases of the process. This book is for absolutely everyone--a daughter can read it and then hand it over to her father, for example--and it is designed to be passed around. As Chastity Bono said at a book signing in New York: "Coming out is really a family affair." Buy this book for your family!

This is a good "double" book--a coming out guide and a biography of Chastity Bono in one. Written in a straight-forward, clear manner and peppered with interviews from other out gays and lesbians, "Family Outing" is ultimately eye-opening and supportive.

However, I didn't give it five stars because it was often repetitive (i.e. a blurb about denying oneself, then a section of interviews from people who denied their true selves, then Bono's account of how she denied what she really was, and then a section reiterating why you shouldn't deny who you really are) and I would have liked to learn more about Bono's life in addition to her struggles coming out of the closet. (But I guess there's more of her life in her other book, The End of Innocence? I guess I'll have to check that one out).

I couldn't have had a better guide for my youth! I read this book before coming out to my family in high school. I have to admit, it was the most helpful of all the resources i looked into. It was so wonderful to know that there were others out there just like me. This book was also an inspiration for my mother after i came out. I suggest that anyone struggling with their family during this particularly difficult time in their lives read this book and pass it on!

This is definitely the book you want to read before you face the difficulties you can have with telling your family and friends your gay. I wish there had been such a book when I was growing up. Chastity not only tells you about her struggles with her coming out, which at times are very entertaining, but she shares some other great stories and blends them with her own story very gracefully. You will not be disappointed by reading this book even if you have already experienced your coming out. Even though I had already dealt with my coming out, long before this book was even a thought in Chastity's mind, it gave me a better understanding of the things I experienced growing up a lesbian. This book is entertaining and educational and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed it! Thank you Chastity, wherever you are!

Aug 20,99

After reading Family Outings I couldn't help think about all those families who never had P-FLAG or youth out-reach programs when they were growing up. "What a shame".. If it's not too late which it isn't in this day and age go get Family Outings and read it. It will bless and inspire your life if you are or aren't gay,you are not alone. If Chas and the others who shared their stories can get together and make a documentry of Family Outings-I strongly suggest it. As for my folks picking up a book isn't a common thing and they would put in a video tape before ever reading anything other then the phone bill. Chas if you read this Excellent Work!!! Rainbow Radio Network for community and campus radio in London, Ontario Canada

I think this book can help a lot for gays/lesbians and their families.It's not an easy step to go and tell your family that you are gay. But it's GREAT if things are "clear" and when you feel that it's accepted or at least that you've been true.You'll wonder how many people are able to accept it and what pride it gives you anyway! Be courageous and go for your aims!

This is by far one of the best books I have read yet about people's coming out stories and what they went through. Chastity Bono is right when she says that coming out is really a family process. Everyone in the family is affected in one way or another, in both good ways or bad, and this process needs to be tackled as a family. No one should ever go through it alone! I definitely reccommend this book to anyone who is questionion their sexuality or whether they should come out of the closet or not!