>From: ESTESWL@RASCAL.GUILFORD.EDU >Date: Tue, 9 Aug 1994 12:47:11 -0400 (EDT) From: jessea@nature.Berkeley.EDU Subject: Lesbigay Youth Book Jessea, Please let your list know about the following book-in-progress. I'm looking for contributors between the ages of 16 and 21. Thanks. -Larry Friends, I'm in the process of writing a book about gay and lesbian teens for Franklin Watts, Inc., a major informational publisher that markets its books directly to school libraries. The book, a collection of first-person accounts written by young people, will attempt to do two things (at least): 1) reach out to isolated gay and lesbian teens and 2) provide a forum for others to speak out about gay and lesbian issues. At present, I'm seeking 20 to 25 gay and lesbian teens (age limits: 16-21), each of whom would be willing to address one or two of the issues the book will target. These issues are: (not in order) - Someone Special To address relationships and whether they can or cannot exist among gay and lesbian people. - The Church To address the church's stand and how it helps or hinders gay and lesbian youths. - Images I To address stereotypes, the general public, and what gay and lesbian youths first thought about homosexuals. - Images II To address self-images and how these have changed over time. - Friends To address coming out to friends and acquaintances. - Family To address coming out to family. - The School To address what the high school environment is like for gay and lesbian teens. - Suspicions To address when you had that first inkling that you might be different from your heterosexual peers. - What's in a Closet? To address what closets are and why they are or are not beneficial. - The Military To address the issue of gays and lesbians serving in the military. (One need not be a member of the military to voice an opinion.) - Concerns To address the issue of being sexually active in an age of AIDS. (Because the book will be marketed to school libraries and there will be some opposition to the general topic of this book for this reason alone, graphic sex and slang should be avoided. We want to reach as many isolated teens as possible, and graphic sex and slang would be just one more hurdle to clear.) - Equal Rights, Not Special Rights The Religious Right has successfully used the Special Rights argument against gay and lesbian people to get protective laws repealed. This chapter will look at the discrimination that gays and lesbians face in most parts of the country, and address the issue of whether sexual orientation ordinances are "special rights" or "equal rights." (Personal stories of discrimination that might support this argument are especially welcome.) I'm looking for a good mix of people -- male and female, people of color, and from geographically diverse areas of the U.S. -- and for a mix of stories, upbeat and otherwise. (Bottom line is I want readers to come away from this book with some comfort about their sexual identity.) A release form giving me and Franklin Watts the right to publish the stories will be necessary, but identity in the published book may be changed if the contributor so desires. A complimentary copy of the book will be provided to each participant upon publication. Publication date is set for Fall 1995. That said, essays (of from 3 to 6 pages) need to be in-hand for editing and compilation a.s.a.p. or by mid-Sept. (1994). Will it be possible for you to help connect me with young people interested in contributing to the book? If you have any questions, I can be contacted at the address below. Also, if people are interested in submitting their contributions directly to me, please feel free to copy this letter or to release my name, address, and phone number. Who am I? I'm a former teacher and now full-time children's book writer. The author of more than 20 books for kids of all ages, both fiction and nonfiction, some of my titles are Max and Felix, Country Bear's Good Neighbor, Elliot Fry's Good-bye, Unusual Friendships, A Migrant Family, Animals That Hibernate, and others. I'm also gay. Thanks in advance. Sincerely, Larry Dane Brimner 3175 Lincoln Avenue San Diego, CA 92104-3032 Phone/Fax: 619-283-8412 E-mail: ldb@crash.cts.com Note: This book will also contain an addendum listing local resources. If there are any in your area that you'd care to list, please send me their name, address, and phone number.