Two Teenagers in 20: Writings by Gay and Lesbian Youth (Transworld) [Paperback]

Ann Heron (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An updated version of Heron's 1983 One Teenager in Ten , this consistently absorbing and frequently moving collection of autobiographical narratives by young gays and lesbians across the country soberingly documents the damaging consequences of the homophobia that pervades even purportedly enlightened families and schools. Many of the authors were kicked out of their homes, were sent to ministers or psychiatrists to be "cured" or attempted suicide. But some found their families and friends supportive and caring. On balance, these stories are overwhelmingly affirmative, buoyed by the authors' new self-awareness and the determination to find a place for themselves in an often hostile country. Heron includes advice on contacting social service organizations and an annotated list of fiction and nonfiction titles that deal sensitively with gay and lesbian issues.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up-Designed to inform and support teenagers dealing on their own with minority sexual indentification, this book contains personal narratives written by and for gay and lesbian teens. It is a revision of One in Ten (Alyson, 1983). The thoughtful, readable accounts focus on feelings about being homosexual, reactions of friends and family, and first encounters with other gay people. Interspersed with 24 stories reprinted from the earlier book are 19 new ones. The teen lesbian in one of them finds acceptance from her family, but many other additions read like the old stories of confusion and ostracism, underscoring the need to make this update available to young people and adults who work with them all over the country. One 16-year-old lesbian writes, "SHAME. FAILURE. These words passed through my head every day." She reports being denied access to One in Ten at her local public library, and killed herself before publication of her story here. The gay teen perspective is not available in many other places.
Claudia Morrow, Berkeley Public Library, CA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Alyson Books (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555832822
• ISBN-13: 978-1555832827
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,290,215 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must For The Newly Out, or the "Not Sure.", June 22, 2000

By 

Anon - See all my reviews

This review is from: Two Teenagers in 20: Writings by Gay and Lesbian Youth (Transworld) (Paperback)

I got this book shortly after coming out to myself ..................and it helped more than you could imagine. In that situatoin, hearing about the stories of other like you is the single best thing for you; It helped me overcome those feelings of being "the only one" (along with the internet, which gets most of the credit... I also acredit the internet for my still being alive; it is also how I found this book.) It contains the touching and highly varied accounts of around 20 teenagers. Some get a happy ending, some end in tragedy, and many fall somewhere in the middle. This should be read by everyone just coming out or still coming to terms, as well as educators and anyone else that has to deal with youth from Middle School to High School. Read it then pass it on to someone else who needs it when you're older. I cannot thank Ann Heron or Allison Books enough.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If I could rate this higher I would!, September 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Two Teenagers in 20: Writings by Gay and Lesbian Youth (Transworld) (Paperback)

This book is more a resource than anything. If you are young and strugling with you sexuality this will help you along the way! This book details the experiances of other gay youths as they realized they were gay. It is not at all one sided as most of the resources out there. It shows the good, bad, and the ugly. You will come out of this book fully realizing that you are not alone. It details what other people went through in thier real lives. This helps make a stugle a little better. If you do get it, fulfil the author's wishes and share it with anyone you can.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You are not alone, January 26, 2002

By 

Christella T. Vien "delightx81" (Santa Clara, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Two Teenagers in 20: Writings by Gay and Lesbian Youth (Transworld) (Paperback)

A friend of mine was going through a tough time in college because he was starting to "come out" for the first time. He was terrified that nobody would accept him anymore. I ordered this book for him and he really enjoyed reading it (I read it as well). It helps to read about people who are going through the same thing you are. The stories are all real; some are happy & some are not, but that's true life. This book had a positive effect on my friend & I'm sure it will have a positive effect on you as well!