This paperback edition of the 2008 book entitled Crisis: 40 Stories Revealing the Personal, Social, and Religious Pain and Trauma of Growing Up Gay in America (Greenleaf Book Group Press) presents the personal accounts of forty young gay Americans.
Organized into seven parts, the stories cover religious discrimination, family and community rejection, school and social discrimination, bigotry in the workplace, and losing a child.
The final parts cover the sin question and the silent epidemic of depression, isolation, and fear suffered by gay youth.
The editors include two lists of resources—organizations to call, organizations not to call—and a discussion of reparative therapy. Each of the stories begins with an introduction and overview from the editor describing the essay’s author and explaining how their experience helps in the understanding of the issues faced by others in similar situations.
Although this book is a reissue of the 2008 hardcover and thus might be considered dated, the topics and narratives will hit home with many readers and raise sensitivity and awareness of the silent pain others endure.
This book belongs in public and academic libraries as well as other collections where people can benefit from learning about issues faced by others who are gay or questioning their gender identity.
Reviewer: s.n.