Just a Mom

by Betty DeGeneres

For many gay men and lesbians, Betty DeGeneres, the mother of actress Ellen DeGeneres has come to represent the mother stolen from them by homophobia. For many parents she has provided the inspiration to reconcile with their own children. In her new book, Just a Mom , Betty talks directly to parents, children, friends, teachers, employers, and politicians in a straightforward and heartfelt manner on homophobia and the destruction it causes in loving families and society at large. She counsels parents on how to react when their child tells them he or she is gay. She advises children on how to tell their parents and when. And, most importantly, she shows how to cross the divide of intolerance so families can be whole again. Now an activist and a national figure, Betty DeGeneres is a mother first, and in Just a Mom she is calling for love, compassion, and reconciliation for all gay men, lesbians, and their families from the bottom of a mother's heart.

Betty DeGeneres first gained national attention when her daughter Ellen came out on national television. Her first book, Love Ellen; A Mother Daughter Journey, told the story of her own journey to acceptance, pride, and finally activism. As a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, Betty speaks extensively on behalf of greater tolerance for gay men and lesbians, and writes an advice column on issues of coming out on PlanetOut .

Genres: LGBT, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2000

About the author

Betty DeGeneres (born Elizabeth Jane Pfeffer) is an American LGBT rights activist. She is the mother of Ellen and Vance DeGeneres and the first non-gay spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign's National Coming Out Project[1] and an active member of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). She gained notability following her daughter Ellen's highly-publicized coming out in 1997.

Reviews

[Annburnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book about true stories told to Ellen DeGeneres mom about being gay and coming out to friends and family. There are many heartbreaking stories and many happy ones. She gives a good overview about many questions asked and understanding that everyone should have the same rights in this world whether they are man, woman, black, white or other ethnic group, or straight or gay. We should concentrate on loving one another instead of hating one another.

[Douglas Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

In which Ellen DeGeneres's mom dispenses gentle advice on parenting gay children and related topics. Her message is that, above all, children need parental love regardless of sexual orientation. Betty DeGeneres, spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign's National Coming Out Project, needn't say more than these seven beautiful words on rearing Ellen: "I loved her. I didn't label her." But she does. She goes on and on. Her last book (the bestselling Love, Ellen) was warm if not exactly gripping, and this is very similar. The homespun style makes readers feel as though cookies are just about to come out of the oven and that between batches the author is canning vegetables. What results is a likable, if bland, introduction to a politicized and sensitive topic. For an objective biography of the celebrity daughter, try Kathleen Tracy's Ellen: The Real Story of Ellen DeGeneres.

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[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not the intended audience for this book as a lot of the content was aimed at parents of gay children (I have no children!) but I have a lot of respect for Betty DeGeneres and find her writing thoughtful, reflective and genuine and wished to read this after reading her other book Love Ellen. I preferred Love Ellen but still found this a pleasant and quick read.

[Alfie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as her first "love ellen" but I always enjoy her perspective

[Winter Sophia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming & Comforting Read! I Loved It!