Mitchell Gold, Mindy Drucker: "Crisis," September 1, 2008
Growing Up Gay in America
Mitchell Gold, with Mindy Drucker. Crisis: 40 Stories Revealing the Personal, Social, and Religious Pain and Trauma of Growing Up Gay in America. Place of publication? Greenleaf Book Group, LLC: September 1, 2008. Binding: Hardcover. 416 pages. ISBN-13: 9781929774104
Publisher's Book Description
A mental health crisis faces American teens right now--and it is one we can solve. Hundreds of thousands of gay teens face traumatic depression, fear, rejection, persecution, and isolation--usually alone. Studies show they are 190 percent more likely to used drugs or alcohol and four times more likely to attempt suicide. Homophobia and discrimination are at the heart of their pain. Love, support, and acceptance--all within our power to give--can save them.
This book is for: clergy, parents, educators, and politicians who cause harm with their words and actions; parents of gay teens; teens navigating this difficult time; and fair-minded people who want to help end the harm. Here are revealing stories by forty diverse Americans, some well known and some not, plus insights from straight clergy and parents explaining their support of gay people as whole human beings guaranteed equal rights by our Constitution.
Crisisbook.org Book Description
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE CALLED AN ABOMINATION BY YOUR RELIGIOUS LEADERS?
TO LIVE IN FEAR OF LOSING YOUR FAMILY’S LOVE?
TO BE AFRAID TO GO TO SCHOOL BECAUSE OF THE TORMENT THAT AWAITS YOU?
TO LIE TO EVERYONE ABOUT WHOM YOU LOVE?
Mitchell Gold asked forty gay Americans to share their very personal answers to these difficult questions. Many discuss their long-buried feelings here for the first time. Several young adults open up about the depression, fear, and isolation that are still a part of growing up gay in many areas of the country today. Gold calls this a silent epidemic and mental health crisis affecting hundreds of thousands of gay teens. And he emphasizes that this crisis can be solved, with compassion and fair-mindedness— and by getting those whose words and deeds cause harm to stop.
The book’s contributors reveal what made them feel alone and unloved— and at times so hopeless suicide seemed the only option. And they suggest ways to help the next generation of teens. These stories are also lessons in perseverance and achievement, showing the inner strength of the contributors and inspiring us all with their triumphs against the odds. Learn the harm religion-based prejudices cause, see the dangers of “cures” like reparative therapy, and get insight into the question of sin and homosexuality that divides many churches and families today. Become better able to help gay kids in your family, congregation, or classroom. Understand the importance of electing candidates who support equal rights and strive to protect all our children.
Table of Contents
Foreword by Martina Navratilova ix
Preface: Why This Book? xiii
Stats I Wish I Didn’t Have to Share xix
Introduction: All I Ask Is Your Compassion xxi
A Note on Language xxvii
Part 1: Religious Discrimination 1
Introduction by Dan Karslake 3
Rev. Irene Monroe 7
Rev. Dr. Mel White 15
The Right Reverend Gene Robinson 25
Bruce Bastian 31
H. Alexander Robinson 37
Ari Gold 45
Rodney Powell 53
Jody Huckaby 61
Matt Comer 69
Jared Horsford 75
Jarrod Parker 83
An Evangelical Christian Apologizes by Brent Childers 91
Part 2: Family and Community Rejection 97
Introduction by Charles Robbins 99
Richard Chamberlain 105
Mitchell Gold 111
Jorge Valencia 119
Nate Berkus 127
James McGreevey 135
Howard Bragman 143
Candace Gingrich 149
Bob Witeck 155
Donna Red Wing 163
Jim Hormel 171
Brandon Rolph Kneefel 179
Robert Wrasse 185
Part 3: School and Social Discrimination 191
Introduction by Kevin Jennings 193
Alec Mapa 199
Neil Giuliano 205
Brian Graden 211
Joe Solmonese 219
Bob Williams 225
Jacob Breslow 231
Katie Batza 239
Tony Meyer 247
Julia Brindisi 253
Part 4: In the Workplace 257
Introduction by Lane Hudson 259
Billy Bean 263
Barney Frank 271
John Amaechi 279
Tammy Baldwin 287
Hilary Rosen 295
Part 5: What I Know Now : On Losing a Child 299
Mary Lou Wallner 301
Elke Kennedy 307
Part 6: The Sin Question 313
Looking to the Past for the Future 315
Homosexuality Is Not a Sin by Jimmy Creech 321
Homosexuality, the Bible, and Us by Rev. Dr. H. Stephen Shoemaker 325
Part 7: Exposé: A Silent Epidemic of Depression, Isolation, and Fear 335
The Untold Story 337
Resources 349
Organizations to Call 351
Organizations Not to Call 361
What Is Reparative Therapy? 363
Acknowledgments 367
Photo Credits 370
About the Author
In 1989, Mitchell Gold and his business partner created a residential furniture manufacturing company called Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, in Taylorsville, North Carolina. Just nine years later, Inc. magazine positioned the company at number 57 on its list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies. Gold has a long history of supporting grassroots and national nonprofits including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, Leukemia Society, Human Rights Campaign, Empire State Pride Agenda, Design Industries Foundation for AIDS, Friend in Deed, and AIDS Leadership Foothills-Area Alliance. In April 2005, Inc. magazine named him one of the twenty-six "Entrepreneurs We Love." Today the company is a $100M home-furnishings brand known for comfort; it employs more than 750 people and features its own on-site education-based daycare center. Gold is also the founder of nonprofit group Faith in America.
