What do you think?
Rate this book
Out: A Parent's Guide to Supporting Your LGBTQIA+ Kid Through Coming Out and Beyond
The coming out process for LGBTQIA+ adolescents can be a terrifying moment, not only for themselves, but also for their family and friends. When intense emotions are running the gamut of concern, shock, joy or even anger and acceptance, it can be tricky to process how you feel while giving your child the support they need.
Offering essential guidance and advice, this book is here to help you with chapters that explore LGBTQIA+ terminology, understanding the coming out process, effective communication strategies, talking to your LGBTQIA+ kid about sex, the parents' process of acceptance, and the family coming out process. Importantly, this guide also covers a wide range of lesser-known orientations such as pansexuality and asexuality as well as dedicated chapters on trans youth and the often overlooked grieving process for parents with stories of lived experience throughout.
With a unique three step strategy, you and your family can support your LGBTQIA+ child's newly shared identity, create a stronger family unit, and move towards a more open, affirming relationship based on honest communication and understanding.
Offering essential guidance and advice, this book is here to help you with chapters that explore LGBTQIA+ terminology, understanding the coming out process, effective communication strategies, talking to your LGBTQIA+ kid about sex, the parents' process of acceptance, and the family coming out process. Importantly, this guide also covers a wide range of lesser-known orientations such as pansexuality and asexuality as well as dedicated chapters on trans youth and the often overlooked grieving process for parents with stories of lived experience throughout.
With a unique three step strategy, you and your family can support your LGBTQIA+ child's newly shared identity, create a stronger family unit, and move towards a more open, affirming relationship based on honest communication and understanding.
192 pages, Paperback
Published April 21, 2023
13 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 18, 2024
This is an excellent, concise guide for parents supporting an LGBTQIA+ kid. It is especially targeted to cis, straight parents with limited understanding of the queer experience but is an excellent reinforcer of solid parenting practices for all parents.
January 3, 2024
Without a doubt, this book is one that every parent/carer of an LGBTQIA+ child should get after their child has taken the brave step to talk to them. It will help break down fears, provide explanations, and give the reader the support to aid their child in any way that is needed.
I liked that whilst providing information, the chapters are far from overwhelming so that you won't feel like you're drowning in information whilst still processing emotion and the ‘where do we go now?’ Each chapter has a brief set of questions that can help the reader break down both what they've read and how they may be feeling at that point.
The author, John Sovec, is a therapist who works with families of LGBTQIA+ children, so his information you're provided with is taken from years of experience. His way of explanation is compassionate and comprehensive as it comes to the discussion of the various ways a child will come out, whether in regard to gender identity and/or sexual orientation.
As a parent of two transgender boys, I have been there alongside their journey of both their gender identity and their sexual orientation. Whilst it was somewhat easier than it could have been because we are accepting of our children and I myself am nonbinary? Mistakes were made, and that's natural, and no parent should break themselves apart because of it. I do wish there had been a book such as ‘Out’ just to try and catch ourselves before we made them or doubt their identity with those dreaded words ‘Is it a phase?’ (I'll preempt a read and say to you - don't say that to your child.)
Above all, this book will give you the facts, the phrases, and the support you will need. You will make mistakes, and you will struggle, and you will mourn for the maybe, and all of this is explained succinctly and gently. There is a constant that is so true. The author will remind you that you need to listen to your child and you need to love them just as much as you did before and to be kind. That sounds obvious, but it's good to be reminded by someone who has seen countless people come through the process of a child coming out and discovering themselves.
Out is exceptional. It's a book that's been needed and wanted for a long time, and I highly recommend it to every adult whose child is LGBTQIA+. It should be available to anyone in childcare, education, and therapy and suggested to anyone as the default guide to be the best you can when your child needs you.
Thank you, John Sovec, for writing this for every LGBTQIA+ child who needs their parents/guardians to be their protector and first line of support.
I liked that whilst providing information, the chapters are far from overwhelming so that you won't feel like you're drowning in information whilst still processing emotion and the ‘where do we go now?’ Each chapter has a brief set of questions that can help the reader break down both what they've read and how they may be feeling at that point.
The author, John Sovec, is a therapist who works with families of LGBTQIA+ children, so his information you're provided with is taken from years of experience. His way of explanation is compassionate and comprehensive as it comes to the discussion of the various ways a child will come out, whether in regard to gender identity and/or sexual orientation.
As a parent of two transgender boys, I have been there alongside their journey of both their gender identity and their sexual orientation. Whilst it was somewhat easier than it could have been because we are accepting of our children and I myself am nonbinary? Mistakes were made, and that's natural, and no parent should break themselves apart because of it. I do wish there had been a book such as ‘Out’ just to try and catch ourselves before we made them or doubt their identity with those dreaded words ‘Is it a phase?’ (I'll preempt a read and say to you - don't say that to your child.)
Above all, this book will give you the facts, the phrases, and the support you will need. You will make mistakes, and you will struggle, and you will mourn for the maybe, and all of this is explained succinctly and gently. There is a constant that is so true. The author will remind you that you need to listen to your child and you need to love them just as much as you did before and to be kind. That sounds obvious, but it's good to be reminded by someone who has seen countless people come through the process of a child coming out and discovering themselves.
Out is exceptional. It's a book that's been needed and wanted for a long time, and I highly recommend it to every adult whose child is LGBTQIA+. It should be available to anyone in childcare, education, and therapy and suggested to anyone as the default guide to be the best you can when your child needs you.
Thank you, John Sovec, for writing this for every LGBTQIA+ child who needs their parents/guardians to be their protector and first line of support.
May 12, 2023
Thank you to #Netgalley and #JessicaKingsleypublishers for allowing me access to this arc for review.
John Sovec has written a pivotal book, examining what is needed to support children, as they come to terms with their gender identity and/or sexual orientation. He provides a coherent, compassionate discussion on all areas of transitioning or coming out as a child comes to terms and acceptance of their identity.
The overriding message is to listen to your child and respond with love, kindness and compassion. To assist parents in adequately supporting their children, Sovec has constructed well-thought-out self-reflective questions at the end of each chapter. The purpose this serves is to enable the reader to examine their own beliefs, prejudices, misconceptions, etc.
Out is a truly, outstanding book, examining the impact of coming out as LGBQTIA+ on the child, parents and family. Sovec writes as an experienced LGBQTIA+ counsellor of children and their families, so he knows his subject well.
This book should be essential reading for anyone involved in childcare, schools and further education. Out provides helpful information and tools for all, not just parents.
Review posted to Amazon.
John Sovec has written a pivotal book, examining what is needed to support children, as they come to terms with their gender identity and/or sexual orientation. He provides a coherent, compassionate discussion on all areas of transitioning or coming out as a child comes to terms and acceptance of their identity.
The overriding message is to listen to your child and respond with love, kindness and compassion. To assist parents in adequately supporting their children, Sovec has constructed well-thought-out self-reflective questions at the end of each chapter. The purpose this serves is to enable the reader to examine their own beliefs, prejudices, misconceptions, etc.
Out is a truly, outstanding book, examining the impact of coming out as LGBQTIA+ on the child, parents and family. Sovec writes as an experienced LGBQTIA+ counsellor of children and their families, so he knows his subject well.
This book should be essential reading for anyone involved in childcare, schools and further education. Out provides helpful information and tools for all, not just parents.
Review posted to Amazon.
August 11, 2023
A very helpful book to work through emotions--giving you permission to grieve and helping you understand how to be supportive. It doesn't have the definitive answers to everything, but it was the first book I read and one that helped me tremendously.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews