What if Someone I know Is Gay?: Answers to Questions about Gay and Lesbian People (Plugged In) [Mass Market Paperback]

Eric Marcus (Author)

Book Description

Series: Plugged In | Publication Date: October 23, 2000

Kids have questions about gay people, whether those questions concern a friend, a beloved aunt or uncle, or themselves. But there are exceedingly few places children and teenagers can go to find the age-appropriate information they need and few people they can turn to for the honest, straightforward answers they deserve. Eric Marcus, author of the bestselling adult book, Is It A Choice? Answers to 300 of the Most Frequently Asked Questions About Gay and Lesbian People (HarperSanFrancisco, 1993, 1999), offers the no-nonsense answers kids are looking for. He covers a full range of questions including: "Does a person just decide to become gay?", "Does God love gay people?", "How do I talk to my parents about this subject?", " What should I do if kids call me 'fag' or threaten to hurt me because they think I'm gay?", as well as direct answers to questions about gay and lesbian relationships and sex.

In addition, the book will fully explore the whole new world that has been opened up for gay teenagers by the advent of the Internet, making it easily the most up-to-date book of its kind on the market.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-10-Marcus's question-and-answer book "about gay stuff for young people" is similar to his popular book for adults, Is It a Choice? Answers to 300 of the Most Frequently Asked Questions about Gay and Lesbian People (HarperCollins, 1999). The author provides useful information and anecdotes on many issues concerning friends and family, dating, sex, religion, school, activism, and discrimination. However, while the book is generally informative and positive in its approach, its title makes the audience somewhat ambiguous. It suggests that the book is intended for heterosexuals who have a gay/lesbian friend or family member, but many of the questions seem to come from gay teens themselves, e.g., "I have a crush on my friend. Can I tell him/her?" or "I'm gay and I'd like to tell my friends, but I'm afraid to. What should I do?" There is also a problem with the reading level versus the content level. While the information seems most appropriate for high school students, the tone is often condescending to teens. Nonetheless, the book is to be commended for its positive approach and for its currency.
Betty S. Evans, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 7-12. Following his previous books on the subject, openly gay writer Marcus received a barrage of questions from young readers curious to understand their own feelings or the experiences of others. In response, he offers a detailed, reader-friendly, question-and-answer book that covers many topics, shatters myths, and affirms quite honorably the dignity of all people. He holds forth on everything from sexual feelings, dating, sex, and marriage to religion, activism, and discrimination. His explanations are helpful, forthright, and simple enough for some older middle-school readers. Only in the chapter on sex, where he talks briefly about heterosexual and gay sex, is there information that might require librarians to use discretion where younger patrons are concerned. Beyond that, however, Marcus provides the clarity and support that many readers, gay or straight, need. Roger Leslie
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Price Stern Sloan (October 23, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0843176113
• ISBN-13: 978-0843176117
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,763,815 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for ALL kids, April 17, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: What if Someone I know Is Gay?: Answers to Questions about Gay and Lesbian People (Plugged In) (Mass Market Paperback)

Eric Marcus has written this wonderful book for middle and early high school kids about homosexuality. Written in a question and answer format in larger print, this book tells the TRUTH to kids who might be questioning their sexuality, or might have a gay friend or family member, or are bigoted about gays. For older kids and adults, read Eric's book, "Is It a Choice?" It covers the same territory but in greater depth.

Homosexuality is usually not discussed at a middle school level, although children can sense sexual identity differences at this age between themselves and others. This often leads to shunning, confusion, prejudice, bullying, harassment and beatings. Some gay kids even have urine and feces thrown at them or are spit upon. If you condone or excuse this behavior you become part of the problem of gay harassment and hateful behavior.

The best way to avoid negative, bigoted behavior toward gays is to be proactive: buy this book for your child, your church, school, and home library. Homosexuality is a normal, natural expression of human sexuality. Let's take the lid off the pressure cooker of bigotry and become lesbigay advocates for all children everywhere. All straight, gay and questioning kids need this book's truth desperately. I highly recommend it as an educator and Lutheran church librarian.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great resource, January 14, 2008

By 

Rick Jones "Rico" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What If Someone I Know Is Gay?: Answers to Questions About What It Means to Be Gay and Lesbian (Paperback)

It's thorough, honest, easy to read, and appropriate for teens and even pre-teens. Everyone should read this book before they formulate their opinions about gay people.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Bought This Book..., December 3, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: What If Someone I Know Is Gay?: Answers to Questions about Gay and Lesbian Peopl (Plugged in) (Library Binding)

And love it. My brother and his friend looked at it questioningly, but whatever. It's excellent. It has like, a hundred questions and they all have detailed answers. I love it!