Providing Support if Your Child is Transgender or LGBTQ+

Winner of the Sixth Annual Bisexual Book Award for Non-fiction, 2017

#1 Bestseller in Lesbian Studies

Unconditional is a parenting guide book that provides parents of an LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning) child with a framework for helping their LGBT child navigate a world that isn't always welcoming.

Tips from a mother with experience. In Unconditional, author Telaina Eriksen, a professor at Michigan State University, explains what she and her husband have learned through the experience of parenting a gay child. She covers topics like how to handle kids coming out, being an advocate for LGBTQ+ children, how to help your child deal with stress unique to LGBTQ+ kids, and finding a LGBTQ+ family. This book is a must read for anyone who thinks their child is transgender or otherwise LGBTQ+.

A guide for supporting your LGBT child. What if my child is transgender? Eriksen covers the science of gender, understanding gender dysphoria, and how to help a transgender child through the stages of development. What if I have more general LGBTQ+ family needs? Throughout the book, both parents and kids share their stories, and Eriksen directs parents to various resources online for help. This LGBT family book teaches the principles of unconditional parenting, love, and learning.

Inside, learn:

• How to advocate for policies that protect your child
• Ways to educate well-meaning, but misguided friends or family
• Strategies keep your kid talking if your child is transgender or LGBTQ+
• Signs of unhealthy relationships
• When to consider therapy for your child or your family
• How to find an LGBTQ+ community (including inclusive churches)

If you liked LGBT books, best sellers like The Gender Identity Guide for Parents, The Savvy Ally, or The End of Gender, you'll love Unconditional.

About the Author
Telaina Morse Eriksen is the author of the Amazon bestseller and winner of the 2017 Bisexual Book Award, Unconditional: A Guide to Loving and Supporting Your LGBTQ Child. Her poems, essays, and stories have appeared in Under the Sun, Compose Journal, The Fem, poemmemoirstory, ARS Medica, and in many other online and in-print publications. She received her MFA in creative writing from Antioch University Los Angeles. She is the proud mom of two adult children, and lives in East Lansing, Michigan with her husband Andrew and their Shetland Sheepdog Cordelia. Bestselling author and parent, Eric Rosswood, was an Award-Winning Finalist in the 2017 International Book Awards for his book, Journey to Same-Sex Parenthood. He has spoken about LGBTQIA+ parenting issues for organizations such as the Family Equality Council and the Modern Family Alliance, and he is a major influencer on social media with over 100,000 followers on Twitter alone. Rosswood is an in-demand authority and commentator on LGBTQIA+ issues including civil rights, parenting, marriage, and politics. He has been featured in major media including The Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, CBS News, and The Huffington Post. After the birth of his son, Rosswood realized there were numerous challenges gay dads had to deal with that straight parents did not, from answering ridiculous questions like, "Where's his mom?" to having to come out as gay to strangers all over again on a daily basis. This resulted in him writing a follow-up book called, The Ultimate Guide for Gay Dads: Everything You Need to Know About LGBTQ Parenting But Are (Mostly) Afraid to Ask.

Reviews

"This book was enjoyable, informative, and easy to consume. I learned a lot even as an experienced therapist and advocate, and I very much look forward to using it with my clients and friends. It truly reminds me why parenting is the most difficult and insomnia-inducing job in the world, but also why it could be the most deeply rewarding and ultimately the most beneficial for society: it's about teaching people how to love."

-Dr. Mimi Hoang

"I've always said that if Telaina Eriksen wrote a parenting book, I would happily buy it. In Unconditional, Eriksen provides a pragmatic, empathetic guide for parents raising a child who identifies as LGBTQ. From coming out narratives to safe sex to navigating the public sphere, the book covers significant ground. Backed by research and accompanied by personal narratives, Unconditional offers a big-hearted, much-needed approach."

-Robin Silbergleid, author of The Baby Book and Texas Girl

"I was fortunate enough to get to meet the author of this book when she was on a panel for Pride Week. I was wowed by her knowledge, compassion, and heart. When I was reading this book, I just kept thinking, 'We all need to hear this, no matter how our children identify. Because as parents, we can make such a difference in the lives of ALL the young people we interact with.' So many children don't have a trusted adult in their lives. This book inspires me to want to be that trusted adult for anyone who needs it."

-Sherry Richert Belul, author of Say It Now and Simply Celebrate

Book Information
ISBN 9781642509458
Author Telaina Eriksen
Format Paperback
Page Count 220
Imprint Mango Media
Publisher Mango Media
Dimensions(mm) 210mm * 140mm * 13mm