Just a Mom [Paperback]

Betty DeGeneres (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2001

For many gay men and lesbians, Betty DeGeneres, the mother of actress Ellen DeGeneres has come to represent the mother stolen from them by homophobia. For many parents she has provided the inspiration to reconcile with their own children. In her new book, Just a Mom, Betty talks directly to parents, children, friends, teachers, employers, and politicians in a straightforward and heartfelt manner on homophobia and the destruction it causes in loving families and society at large. She counsels parents on how to react when their child tells them he or she is gay. She advises children on how to tell their parents and when. And, most importantly, she shows how to cross the divide of intolerance so families can be whole again. Now an activist and a national figure, Betty DeGeneres is a mother first, and in Just a Mom she is calling for love, compassion, and reconciliation for all gay men, lesbians, and their families from the bottom of a mother's heart.

Betty DeGeneres first gained national attention when her daughter Ellen came out on national television. Her first book, Love Ellen; A Mother Daughter Journey, told the story of her own journey to acceptance, pride, and finally activism. As a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, Betty speaks extensively on behalf of greater tolerance for gay men and lesbians, and writes an advice column on issues of coming out on PlanetOut.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

To her surprise, Betty DeGeneres, once a quiet housewife and mother, has become a gentle, consistent, and rational voice in the gay liberation movement. In Just a Mom, she speaks for all the ordinary Americans whose children have turned out "different" and whose first concern is that they will suffer pain and rejection in life. It is natural, DeGeneres points out, to harbor some disappointment or anger at a gay child, and she guides parents toward appropriate resources and organizations, like the Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). With warmth and conviction, DeGeneres expands on her memoir Love, Ellen to address some of the questions she has been asked as a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, such as "Did I make my child gay?" and "How can I protect my child?" She makes some practical suggestions on how to handle homophobia and threats at school, and how to help build self-esteem in a child whose peers may ridicule him. And she argues on the enormous personal and societal benefits of coming out of the closet. But this is not so much a practical guide to keeping a child safe or combating hatred as a simple, homey, and reassuring recitation of what we all know--or should know: good parenting means unconditional love and support. --Regina Marler --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

At the end of her first book (Love, Ellen: A Mother/Daughter Journey), the mother of comedian Ellen DeGeneres invited readers to send her questions, comments and letters. This much slimmer volume collects that correspondence and offers DeGeneres senior, the spokeswoman for the Human Rights Campaign's National Coming-Out Day Project, a chance to issue nurturing, practical advice and affirmations, and to gently dismantle myths, stereotypes and fears. Never at a loss for a book to recommend, a Web site to visit or an organization to join, DeGeneres is for many gay people an ideal mother. But parents of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals will probably benefit most from her "straight talk" on coming out, antigay legislation, homophobia, teen suicides and "real" family values. As a peer, DeGeneres is able to address issues, concerns and questions that parents face when their children come out. But DeGeneres is not all soft sound bites. Comparing discrimination now to 22 years ago, when her comedian/actress daughter came out to her, she finds that "today the prejudice is meaner, nastierDa vindictiveness rooted in hatred, not ignorance. It's hard to believe that most of this homophobic venom emanates from churches." The book's chatty style and loose structure makes for easy digestion in short intervals, although some readers may be miffed by the now outdated references to Ellen's former partner, Anne Heche. (N0v.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Alyson Books (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555837131
• ISBN-13: 978-1555837136
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,503,667 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book filled with excellent advice, October 11, 2001

By 

Bonnie Shimko (Plattsburgh, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just a Mom (Paperback)

"Just a Mom" was a tremendous help to me when I was struggling to overcome my ignorance about my daughter's homosexuality. I highly recommend it to anyone who has a gay loved one.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Definitely More Than "Just A Mom", November 5, 2000

By 

Stephanie Preston (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just A Mom (An Advocate Book) (Hardcover)

For any gay child, reading more from Betty DeGeneres confirms that we want to adopt her as our own Mom. More personal disclosure than her first effort. The unfortunate breakup between Ellen and Anne makes the timing of this release a bit awkward though. For any parent who is struggling to deal with their child's sexual orientation, this is a must-read book.

3.0 out of 5 stars A good book for parents dealing with gay children., February 5, 2009

By 

Marni L. Lange - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Just a Mom (Paperback)

Easy to read. Not too long. Good for parents who are struggling with a gay child.