Speaking Out features stories for and about LGBT and Q teens by fresh voices and noted authors in the field of young adult literature. These are inspiring stories of overcoming adversity (against intolerance and homophobia) and experiencing life after "coming out." Queer teens need tales of what might happen next in their lives, and editor Steve Berman showcases a diversity of events, challenges, and, especially, triumphs.
Speaking Out: LGBTQ Youth Stand Up
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About the Author
Steve Berman sold his first short story at the age of seventeen, so he's always considered himself a young adult author. His novel, Vintage, was a finalist for the Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy as well as named to the GLBT Round Table of the American Library Association's Rainbow Project Book List, which is recommended reading of queer books for children and teens. He has edited the young adult fantasy anthology, Magic in the Mirrorstone (a Parade Magazine Pick), as well as Lambda Literary Award finalists Charmed Lives (co-edited with Toby Johnson) and Wilde Stories. He regularly writes queer spec fic short stories for teens—his most recent being a lesbian retelling of the Swan Lake story for The Beastly Bride (Viking Children's, ed. by Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling) and a gay vampire tale for the April release Teeth (HarperCollins, also ed. by Datlow and Windling). He has spoken about queer and young adult fiction at numerous conferences around the nation but always returns to New Jersey, as his cat Daulton demands it so.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a heartwarming collection of short stories that had me wanting more of all of the characters. I definitely enjoyed reading it, and was especially excited about there being a bowling story included. That isn't something you find a lot - we need more bowling stories! My only issues with this book were the grammatical errors in most of the stories, and that it wasn't formatted correctly for my Kindle. That made it hard to read. Otherwise, definitely a great read!
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Anthology provides practical examples of LGBTQ teens dealing with adversity
October 8, 2011
Format:Paperback
This uplifting anthology of stories of young LGBT or Q individuals is a logical follow-up to the "It Gets Better" campaign. Specifically, it gives you some ideas how such individuals have taken steps to make it get better, in their lives and those of their peers. Editor Berman and twelve other new or established writers tell the diverse stories of teens facing adversities - mostly related to how to survive in a heterosexist world - and how they dealt with these challenges. Each is prefaced by a short introduction by the author, mentioning their connection or empathy to what the character is feeling.
The stories deal with situations ranging from simple schoolboy crushes to nonconforming gender identity. The scenarios include religious issues, participating in school sports, and coping when a childhood playmate decides he or she is not "that way" after all. Strategies vary from simple "coming out" to open-minded straight allies, to subtle fighting of stereotypes, or in-your-face necessary confrontations, The stories are generally well-written and definitely heart-felt, and, in my opinion, can provide a lot more comfort to a troubled LGBT teen than a simple promise that things will improve. Five stars out of five.
- Bob Lind, Echo Magazine
The stories deal with situations ranging from simple schoolboy crushes to nonconforming gender identity. The scenarios include religious issues, participating in school sports, and coping when a childhood playmate decides he or she is not "that way" after all. Strategies vary from simple "coming out" to open-minded straight allies, to subtle fighting of stereotypes, or in-your-face necessary confrontations, The stories are generally well-written and definitely heart-felt, and, in my opinion, can provide a lot more comfort to a troubled LGBT teen than a simple promise that things will improve. Five stars out of five.
- Bob Lind, Echo Magazine
By J. Suarez
Format:Paperback
This excellent collection of thirteen stories gathered and edited by Steve Berman for and about LGBT and Q young adults not only features stories that address the difficulties of coming out to friends and family, but most importantly Speaking Out: LGBTQ Youth Stand Up highlights experiences, changes and difficulties that affect and are experienced by young adults after that important step is taken.
The stories are as varied in style and content as are the writers themselves. LGBTQ stories are all represented in this collection with gay and lesbian themes seemingly taking center stage, however you will find that the characters in all the stories are as varied as the challenges they face. The stories feature young adults and their struggles, triumphs, realizations, and lessons learned and taught.
I really want to mention all the stories. Instead here are a few as examples of the type of stories found in this wonderful collection. In "Lucky P" by Rigoberto González, a bisexual young man realizes that there's a difference between a crush and reciprocal love, and learning about pride, accepting support, and dealing with bullies after coming out in an all girl's Catholic high school is the subject of "Gutter Ball" by Danielle Pignataro. Victories, acceptance and respect are earned the hard way within the realm of high school sports in the multi-layered coming out story "Captain of the World" by Alex Jeffers where the focus falls on a Turkish young man whose struggles include battling prejudice against the Muslim religion and homophobia.
In Steve Berman's wonderful story "Only Lost Boys are Found" about closets and what they hide, two childhood friends fall in love but while one is out, the other needs rescuing when he gets lost and trapped in the maze that is his closet. "The Proximity of Seniors" by L.A. Fields on the other hand is all about finding that one unexpected friend who shares a mutual struggle and provides support throughout the worst and best of times during and after those high school years. I loved this story about a gay boy and a lesbian girl who become best friends for life.
"Subtle Poison" by Lucas J.W. Johnson is a fantastic story about the value or toxicity of friendship that features the challenges of being accepted as an FtM transgendered teen and a gay young man's battle with substance abuse, and "Sparks of Change" by Dia Pannes is all about a brave young woman who teaches her father and small town a lesson about ignorance, intolerance and acceptance of her lesbian teacher and hopefully her future self. Then there's "The Trouble with Billy by Jeffrey Ricker," a wonderful story about two young men, one who is 'out' and barely dealing with daily bullying episodes, and the other full of rage. And I really enjoyed the lovely "Duet: A Story in Haibun" by Charles Jensen told in narrative and poetry style from the perspective of two male high school band musicians who are deeply in love: "how a pair of shoes, reflections of each, share the same body."
Each story is prefaced by one page with a short anecdote from the author sharing a personal life experience with the reader. These short personalized notes effectively become a part of this collection and with few words all convey key, refreshingly candid moments or the need to have books like Speaking Out readily available.
In his introduction writer and editor Steve Berman says, "voices must be heard," well, they are heard here. Speaking Out is a collection of stories written by writers of LGBTQ young adult literature who not only capture their voice, but also understand the daily challenges they face. This collection is affirming, inspiring and informational. Highly recommended.
The stories are as varied in style and content as are the writers themselves. LGBTQ stories are all represented in this collection with gay and lesbian themes seemingly taking center stage, however you will find that the characters in all the stories are as varied as the challenges they face. The stories feature young adults and their struggles, triumphs, realizations, and lessons learned and taught.
I really want to mention all the stories. Instead here are a few as examples of the type of stories found in this wonderful collection. In "Lucky P" by Rigoberto González, a bisexual young man realizes that there's a difference between a crush and reciprocal love, and learning about pride, accepting support, and dealing with bullies after coming out in an all girl's Catholic high school is the subject of "Gutter Ball" by Danielle Pignataro. Victories, acceptance and respect are earned the hard way within the realm of high school sports in the multi-layered coming out story "Captain of the World" by Alex Jeffers where the focus falls on a Turkish young man whose struggles include battling prejudice against the Muslim religion and homophobia.
In Steve Berman's wonderful story "Only Lost Boys are Found" about closets and what they hide, two childhood friends fall in love but while one is out, the other needs rescuing when he gets lost and trapped in the maze that is his closet. "The Proximity of Seniors" by L.A. Fields on the other hand is all about finding that one unexpected friend who shares a mutual struggle and provides support throughout the worst and best of times during and after those high school years. I loved this story about a gay boy and a lesbian girl who become best friends for life.
"Subtle Poison" by Lucas J.W. Johnson is a fantastic story about the value or toxicity of friendship that features the challenges of being accepted as an FtM transgendered teen and a gay young man's battle with substance abuse, and "Sparks of Change" by Dia Pannes is all about a brave young woman who teaches her father and small town a lesson about ignorance, intolerance and acceptance of her lesbian teacher and hopefully her future self. Then there's "The Trouble with Billy by Jeffrey Ricker," a wonderful story about two young men, one who is 'out' and barely dealing with daily bullying episodes, and the other full of rage. And I really enjoyed the lovely "Duet: A Story in Haibun" by Charles Jensen told in narrative and poetry style from the perspective of two male high school band musicians who are deeply in love: "how a pair of shoes, reflections of each, share the same body."
Each story is prefaced by one page with a short anecdote from the author sharing a personal life experience with the reader. These short personalized notes effectively become a part of this collection and with few words all convey key, refreshingly candid moments or the need to have books like Speaking Out readily available.
In his introduction writer and editor Steve Berman says, "voices must be heard," well, they are heard here. Speaking Out is a collection of stories written by writers of LGBTQ young adult literature who not only capture their voice, but also understand the daily challenges they face. This collection is affirming, inspiring and informational. Highly recommended.
