Crisis: 40 Stories Revealing the Personal, Social, and Religious Pain and Trauma of Growing Up Gay in America

by Mitchell Gold, Mindy Drucker

A mental health crisis faces American teens right now--and it is one we can solve. Hundreds of thousands of gay teens face traumatic depression, fear, rejection, persecution, and isolation--usually alone. Studies show they are 190 percent more likely to used drugs or alcohol and four times more likely to attempt suicide. Homophobia and discrimination are at the heart of their pain. Love, support, and acceptance--all within our power to give--can save them. This book is clergy, parents, educators, and politicians who cause harm with their words and actions; parents of gay teens; teens navigating this difficult time; and fair-minded people who want to help end the harm. Here are revealing stories by forty diverse Americans, some well known and some not, plus insights from straight clergy and parents explaining their support of gay people as whole human beings guaranteed equal rights by our Constitution.

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT, Gay, Religion, Sexuality, Biography Memoir

369 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2008

Reviews

[Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book should be distributed to churches the way Gideon Bible's are to hotels. I first learned of this book when Mitchell Gold was interview on Charlie Rose (an interview everyone should definitely check out at charlierose.com). The diverse and intriguing cast of subjects is excellent. No matter what walk of life you come from, you can identify with at least one of these stories, even if you are completely unaware of or unfamiliar with anyone in the LGBT community.

[Kat Fritts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book if you genuinely want to make the world a better place. Every single person in the world needs to hear these people's stories. Even though some chapters are really hard to get through emotionally, it is important that everyone becomes aware of the "silent epidemic" that many gay people are living through alone. Odds are, we all have gay people in our lives whether we know it or not. Reading this book can help all to understand what they go through and how to best be an ally.

[Snow Brenner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should be required reading for everyone!

[Thomas Lowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-intentioned, but a bit of a slog.

[David Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Homosexuality was never a subject I spent a lot of time thinking about until a great young man at my church came out. Of course a lot of opinions and beliefs were discussed which led me to do what I always do, research. I read two wonderful books by Carol Lynn Pearson which really helped me to ponder and conclude several things; mainly that you do not choose to be gay; it is who you are. Since then I have thought a lot about how the so-called religious behavior of people lead young gay persons to feel ostracized, or worse, suicidal. I find that I cannot bridge “Christ-like” behavior with the end result of suicide. I cannot be convinced that anybody, regardless of the orientation could come away from a conversation with the Saviour and feel the best course of action would be to end their life. So I am left with analyzing my actions towards those who are different than me. As the bible says, judge not lest you be judged; who am I to worry about what the Lord will or will not do to those who are different than me – I got enough on my plate just worrying about myself and my own not so visible differences – I am far from perfect.

Anybody who wants to learn more about the consequences of their personal interactions with people who are gay, this collection of stories will definitely open your eyes. A way to understand better is to substitute the name of whatever minority group you personally belong to for gay (like Mormon, or Black, or Fat). In the end I feel that God will judge each one of us on how we treat our fellow man, regardless of what they are or are not doing.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

LGBTQ rights is something I am interested in and passionate about. The struggles this community faces are real and it's terrifying to live in a world where people are not accepted as they are. Many of the stories are inspiring and can shed light on issues facing the LGBTQ community. I would recommend it to anyone as a starting point for learning about gay rights, issues, etc. Most of the stories are short and not in depth. Many issues are touched on, but to learn more I would encourage everyone to dig deeper. This book only covers the surface.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about the LGBTQ community and understand the struggles they face.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know what to expect from this. As someone who is gay, the stories resonated with me and led me down some paths I wasn't really looking to revisit. As the parent of a gay teenager, I was appalled and frankly, a little scared. I know some of the things that take place - clearly we'll not be moving to the South anytime soon. But this self-righteous, "justified" behavior of bigots and their children was so beyond the pale of simple human compassion and behavior. This ia good read- if you've lived it, you may not see anything new. But if you're not living it right this very minute, you need to get re-educated.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The collection of essays contained in this book touched my heart. After reading this I felt less alone. It's hard to fathom how some parents could treat their own children that way, in those situations. There is not a single thing my daughter could ever do that would change my love for her.

Give this book to everyone close to you. But also, give it to those who have condemned you. So they can be informed of how all this negativity is affecting young people. Their socialization, their mentality and most importantly, their natural human emotions.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was slightly disappointed with this book. It offered articles/essays by a host of individuals, who I admittedly felt had a lot to tell. However, the essays seemed overly politically charged...and the affect produced a one-sided, overall perspective.

I politically and socially agree with these essays and personal stories...but I do feel that they tended to victimize the gay community as opposed to celebrating it. Perhaps the book would have been more appealing had the editor chosen to balance it a bit more.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wished some of the chapters were a bit longer (too many were very "vignette-like" and you just wanted to read more about their experiences), but overall a nice compilation of LGBT people and allies telling their stories about coming out, living openly, and their experiences growing up. A must-read for anyone who knows anyone who identifies as LGBT (though not the best book out there). The fact that the author/editor is a super-rich white guy can be seen as a bit problematic...

[Jessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book emotionally wrecked me. It's really important and well researched, but I do wish it would have featured more not white male people.

It is also a bit dated now. There's talk of trying to pass ENDA, which unfortunately did not make it. In fact, I think (as of the date of this review) the Equality Act is still waiting around for the Senate. It's a freaking tragedy. Just give people their basic human rights!

[Misha Mayhem · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book both pissed me off because of the way people in the LGBT community both then and now were and are treated AND moved me to want to be even more a part of the cause, as a straight ally. These forty stories need to be retold over and over again, so those persecuting people in the LGBT community, can hear what harm they have and continue to cause. This is a great book for everyone to read.

[Steve Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, at many times painful, collection of 40 reflections on growing up gay in America. Many focus on social, religious, and familial exclusion, often with pain and trauma. The brief work on biblical scholarship and theology within is weak, but there is a strong call to empathy and healing that can't be missed..

[Kate Ziegler Romano · Rating 4 out of 5]

An eye-opening read, even for someone who considers themselves as open-minded and tolerant as I do; these stories raise issues that the average heterosexual person does not even begin to consider as part of the struggle for acceptance and equal rights.

[Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

bof.
it was alright. certain contributors were interesting but it seemed very vague and more superficial than what i was hoping for.
oh, and also, about 6/8ths through the book there was another book inserted in the binding regarding WWII. it was a total wtf moment.

[Tungjen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's awful how repetitive this book is. Not that it's boring but that it's a terrible thing how that many people have to go through the same torture because of ignorance and intolerance. "Crisis" is a truly valuable effort to stop senseless discrimination.

[Maggie Downs · Rating 4 out of 5]

My emotions ran the gamut while I read this collection of personal essays. Ultimately, it shows that all kids desperately need love, support and compassion.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know why I expected something better. Just very obvious.

[Patrick Beatty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Introspective and sad. A must read for the people who need to read it and probably never will. Will be read by those who don't need it's message.

[Pepi · Rating 4 out of 5]

another book for a class.. i enjoyed most of the short stories, reflecting what those in the book had to endure..

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book that takes a personal look at the struggles of LGBT people to reconcile their faith with their sexuality.

[Eric Ceja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can relate to so many of the stories. Helps me realize that there are youth out there that need out help

[Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

No matter where you fall on the map regarding homosexuality, stories are powerful. Experiences, struggles, and triumphs are powerful. This book was a fantastic read.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative, interesting, important, and thought provoking.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

True stories and testimonials. Raises awareness.