James Howe

Testing 1, 2, 3

In my last post, coinciding with STD Awareness Month, I wrote about the importance of discussing with your teen about condom use for vaginal, oral and anal sex to prevent…

Advanced Sex Ed. for Parents of GLB Teens

Parents tend to squirm or blush in general when discussing sex with their children. As it shouldn’t be just one discussion, and should be incorporated into your family’s set of…

It’s Not The Enda of ENDA

Buried in The Wall Street Journal, Thursday, April 12, 2012, in small font, was an article “Obama Won’t Issue Ban on Gay Discrimination.” It stated that Barack Obama won’t issue…

Brides.jpg

Book Review for Steven Petrow’s Complete Gay and Lesbian Manners

Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue share a happy moment with Marlo’s niece Tracy (left) and her new spouse Tracey. Dilemma: You’re invited to a same-sex marriage. What do you call…

Discussing homosexuality with kids

Discussing Homosexuality With Your Kids

My guest blogger today is Leslie Penkunas, editor of nola baby and family magazine in New Orleans. Leslie has two children, ages 8 and 10, and blogs about parenting on…

“You’re Too Pretty To Be A Lesbian”

I hear this statement constantly from parents who can’t believe that their cutie daughter, who held the white patent leather pocketbook in nursery school, and is donning makeup and short…

Privacy vs. The Right to Know

  If you are suspicious your child may be gay, do you, as a parent, have the right to ask?  I believe your kid will tell you she is gay…

Is it Depression, Teenage Angst or Suicidal Thoughts?

Tyler Clementi, a gay Rutgers University freshman jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge in 2010. Halyee Fentress and Paige Maravetz, two lesbian 14-year old girls, took their…

Modern Family Redefined: How and When to Tell Siblings of GLB Teens

It’s hard to know what to tell the sibling of a gay/lesbian teen. Should you or your gay teen divulge the news about his/her brother’s orientation? What should the sibling…

What Do You Say to Your Child’s Coming Out?

I recently wrote a guest post for the Radical Parenting site. Here’s an excerpt: As a straight parent, you probably will find his announcement shocking, painful, and off-putting. Try not…

“Love you, Always” Love, Mom and Dad ox

It’s not always easy to love unconditionally, especially when your lifelong dreams for your child have been shattered. Like most straight parents, your child’s coming out has probably precipitated intense…

“The Child is the father of The Man” – William Wordsworth

Question:  What causes ·      parents and teens angst? ·      religious organizations to consider it a “choice”? ·      9 million U.S. citizens under age 20 and 9% of high school students…

No Name-Calling Week At Schools Should Start At Home

This week, January 23-27, 2012, schools in the United States will participate in the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network’s(GLSEN)eighth annual No-Name-Calling Week. With GLSEN’s mission of ensuring safe schools,…

Celebrate Humility Day, Jan. 3, 2012, but keep the Humble Pie Recipe

Have you, the straight parent of a gay kid, burst into volcanic eruptions over your gay child’s pronounced sexual identity? Maybe it’s time you ‘fess up that you don’t have…

A New Year’s Resolution That Lasts Beyond Next Year

A New Year’s Resolution That Lasts Beyond Next Year As the holiday season comes to a close, New Year’s resolutions abound as we typically vow to lose that extra five…