What If?: Answers to Questions About What it Means to Be Gay

by Eric Marcus

An updated and revised informative, accessible guide to understanding and approaching the issue of sexual orientation.No question goes unanswered in this important book about being gay. All the basics—and not-so-basics—are covered in more than one hundred questions asked by real teens. Whether you’re curious about your own sexual orientation or looking to understand and support someone close to you, this book contains an abundance of answers. Primarily targeted at young adults, this indispensible guide also includes a chapter especially for parents as well as an appendix packed with additional resources.



Expert Eric Marcus has fully updated and revised this essential guide for today’s readers. He candidly and clearly pushes aside the myths and misinformation about being gay and lesbian, answering all the questions that are on your mind.

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT, Self Help, Sexuality, Queer

194 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Eric Marcus is a communications expert who has been communicating with the broad public and specific niche audiences for three decades.  His work has ranged from writing consumer-oriented books and developing promotional and informational materials for non-profit and commercial enterprises to production jobs for both documentaries and television network news.

Eric’s ten books include Why Suicide?, What If Someone I Know Is Gay?, and Breaking the Surface, the #1 New York Times best-selling autobiography of Olympic diving champion Greg Louganis.  In addition, Eric has written articles and columns for the New York Times, New York Daily News, New York Post, Newsweek, and the New Jersey Star-Ledger.

His many clients have included Waldenbooks, PBS “American Experience,” and Sanky Communications (for which he has worked on development materials for Planned Parenthood NYC, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, and MOMA, among others).  Most recently, Eric has worked with the family of the late Sir James Goldsmith to create detailed illustrated guides for their two nature reserves and luxury resorts that convey to guests, potential guests, and travel industry experts the essential qualities and features of these remarkable places.

Eric is a former associate producer for ABC’s “Good Morning America” and “CBS This Morning.”  For a recent PBS “American Experience” documentary about the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York’s Greenwich Village, Eric wore several hats, including advisor, associate producer, still photographer, and author of the film’s online teaching guide.

In addition to his behind-the-scenes work, Eric also has extensive experience on the other side of the microphone and camera as a spokesman on a range of issues related to his books.  He is also a seasoned moderator and conversation facilitator, and in that capacity has worked in both public and private forums for clients ranging from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association to Unilever and the University of South Dakota.

Eric Marcus is a graduate of New York City public schools, after which he attended Vassar College and earned master’s degrees from Columbia University in both journalism and real estate development.

Reviews

[Ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great source for people who have no idea about lesbian and gay individuals: Can they be teachers? Why do they have sex? Do they go to the toilet too?
I scanned through the pages of my ebook just to learn that there's nothing in there to learn (at least for me). What I found striking was the less modern focus on "gays and lesbians". LGBTQ+ is so much more. This book, for example, will not give you any info on whether people like me (nonbinary, queer individuals) go to the toilet, because in the book, we don't exist. (Hint: Yes, we do)

[Mandy Robek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the question answer format. Very helpful information

[Emilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I WANT TO GIVE A COPY OF THIS TO EVERY STRAIGHT (YOUNG) PERSON I KNOW.

[✨Neena✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

review to come!

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is written for teenagers who are either questioning their sexuality or who know someone in their family or friends who might be gay. It's a great book for people of that age group, who have lots of questions but feel they have no one they can ask. The author states that some of the questions could be perceived as rather obvious but, for those that might be isolated and confused it's a gold mine of information. I certainly wish that I had had something like this to read when I was young. I'm sure that it will help a lot of people. I would recommend this to any parents who feel their child is struggling to come to terms with their sexuality.

[Jenni Frencham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a teen version of a book that could have been titled "Everything you ever wanted to know about GLBTQIA and were afraid to ask." It contains lots of very helpful information that is neither dumbed-down to sound ridiculous nor spoken of in such technical terms that no once can understand, and it includes many real questions from real teenagers. I would definitely want this book in my library's collection.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

An updated version of the book originally published as “What if Someone I Know is Gay?”. Marcus answers questions from teens about many issues related to homosexuality and being gay or lesbian. There is a chapter for parents as well as a chapter full of resources. This updated version includes things related to new legislature as well as new information concerning bullying and suicide. A useful resource for teens whether they are gay or not.

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a good look at a gay person's life. It was cool to get an inside picture of what it would be like. The information was solid and shed some light on a few things.

I never really got into it much before, but now I want to get out there and really support the equality of gay rights. Like marriage in all states-a legal marriage and etc.

This book probably helps make things easier to understand, for staight or LGBTQ people.

Thumbs up to Eric Marcus!

[Treyton · Rating 2 out of 5]

For someone just coming to terms with their sexuality, this may be a fine read, but for those who have been mulling it over for a while, I feel as though they may have already found the answers to most of these questions.
It was hard to continue reading when I came across questions that had already been addressed in previous chapters because I would think "Who would skip around within a book", but I realize now that some people may not read everything cover to cover.

[Sherry Rampey · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many questions, how can one answer them, what does one do if things are taken the wrong way?