A lesbian recounts her fight to legally adopt and co-parent her lover's child, describing her journey into the worlds of adoption courts and the militant activist group, Queer Nation. 25,000 first printing. Tour.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Contrary to its title, this colorful, funny and fearless memoir set in San Francisco's gay community is about a nonbiological mom--novelist Burke ( Atomic Candy )--and how she came out of the closet, became politically radicalized and committed herself to four-year-old Jessie, the biological son of her domestic partner Cheryl, who had been artificially inseminated. At first, Burke thinks of herself only as "Auntie Phyllis" in relation to Jessie, but events, richly described here--the humiliating legal process she endures to adopt Jessie, the demonstrations against the making of the film Basic Instinct in San Francisco and the assassination of Board of Supervisors member Harvey Milk--all combine to spur her into political consciousness. Her candid story starts with the couple's decision to have a baby, includes a description of the artificial insemination and proceeds from there, including juicy reportage of Burke's heated visit with actor Michael Douglas as they debate Basic Instinct 's harm to lesbians. Oddly, information about how Jessie relates to his two mothers is sketchy. But there is much to make up for that: wonderful, witty and poignant storytelling. Author tour.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
In 1987, when her partner, Cheryl, decided to have a child through "alternative insemination," San Francisco novelist Burke was not ready to make the commitment to co-parenting. Her planned role as "Aunty" changed quickly , however, as she became involved in every aspect of the "assisted conception," birth, and raising of son Jesse. Burke here chronicles her fight against her own internalized homophobia and that of a world which wants to deny her the legal right to be Jesse's second mother, interweaving such episodes as her participation in demonstrations against the movie Basic Instinct , Jesse's fascination with Peter Pan, and preparations for the Black & White Ball into a richly textured memoir. Filled with humor and insight, this intimate portrait of motherhood is recommended for all collections.
- Jim Van Buskirk, San Francisco P.L.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Jim Van Buskirk, San Francisco P.L.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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