May 11th, 2005
Wrong Name, Wrong Title, but a Great Review
OutSmart, a Houston LGBT publication included a review of Families Like Mine in something of a Mother’s Day resource round-up. When this review was originally published last year, the writer gave me the first name “Alison.” I alerted the publication to the inaccuracy, and while “Alison” remains my first name in the reprint of Colleen Logan’s review, the headline has my actual first name, Abigail. But alas, my LAST name has morphed mysteriously from Garner to Warner.
And the subtitle is actually, “Children of Gay Parents Tell It Like It Is” which is very, very, very, very different from what OutSmart ran: “Gay Parents Tell It Like It Is.”
The whole point of the book is that when we “kids” grow up and have the chance to talk about their lives without the pressure or influence of our parents or society, the whole truth comes out. Truth without spin and without an “agenda.” (See related article on the “pressure to be perfect.” Also a highlight of this interview on Morning Edition (National Public Radio.)
But, despite the inaccuracies of the title, author, and the broken link to the publisher, HarperCollins, the review is positive and constructive.
An excerpt:
“Garner provides a safe place for gay parents to understand that just because GLBT families lack the luxury to be openly complicated and dysfunctional like straight families doesn’t mean that we don’t struggle with complex and difficult issues. In that spirit, Garner invites courageous gay parents to read the book and get an insider’s look at what it’s like to grow up with GLBT parents.”
So OutSmart, I know your heart is in the right place. And I thank you for it.