Unconditional: A Guide to Loving and Supporting Your LGBTQ Child

This is an easily accessable, well-written and excellent book....if you come from a middle to upper-middle class non-immigrant, (and I'll also say white) background. As a mental health counselor who works predominantly with the under resourced trans community and their loved ones, I would love to be able to recommend this book to my parents of trans kids because of the many wonderful points the author makes, but I just can't.I can't in good conscious recommend this book to my impoverished single mothers of color who struggle to make ends meet. Chapters 9 and 10 are especially problematic for these people. Chapter 9 address extracurricular activities. Most families living in poverty don't have the time, financial means, or support to make sure their kids are in expensive, time-consuming extracurricular activities. That don't have the ability to transport them to games, events, performances, etc, much less pay for the uniforms, instruments, participation fees, etc these sports/activities require. The examples used in the book talk about parents talking to each other at soccer games or swim meets. These are not the parents who are my clients. The author also talks about how extracurricular activities are essential to the health and well-being (not to mention resumes and college applications) of LGBTQ kids. Great. She's right. But I am not going to recommend this book to that single mother I mentioned earlier because the last thing she needs is to feel more guilt for not being able to provide these things to her struggling gay, bi or trans child.Then we get to chapter 10 that highly recommends parents give their kids an allowance. An allowance? Sure, if you make enough money to do that. How do you tell a single mom on public assistance who works two jobs to support four kids that she needs to give them an allowance and set up their own bank accounts with a debit card? It's a shame that this book, which is full of so much wonderful advise, is written strictly for those families who are financially secure and adhere to normative American culture. For those folks, then yes, this book is wonderful. For the 12% and rising of American families who experience poverty, they simply won't be able to relate.

What a great book! Filled with first-person perspectives, practical suggestions, and solid research, Unconditional is a must-have support for any parent wanting guidance in parenting the LGBTQ child. Also a good read for anyone helping their "straight" child or teen understand and support an LGBTQ friend or family member.

What a great read. I absolutely recommend this book to any (and every) parent. Wonderfully written with love from first-hand knowledge. Full of valuable resources, whether parenting a LGBTQ child or guiding your straight child who questions how to help/love their LGBTQ friends or relatives. I especially enjoyed the In Their Own Words sections.

Every parent should read and help society have compassion with our children regardless of sex, gender, preferences in life, etc...

Thank you for this book Telaina! It is amazing! Thank you for sharing your family with all of us! ❤️

This is a very good book. I was just expecting a little bit more of LGBTQ+ information. It has great resources, but bear in mind it’s focused in North American culture, it's laws and lifestyle.

Loved the do’s and don’ts in each chapter. Great advice and resources for parents of LGBTQ kids. Definitely recommend this book.

I was fortunate enough to get to meet the author of this book when she was on a panel for Pride Week. I was wow'd 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.

This book should be a must read for anyone bringing up a child or children educators. Whether a child in your life has come out as trans or is experimenting with gender expression, they are still going to experience gender one way or another. It is important to be informed about how gender effects us and our children and pave the way for acceptance. Not just after coming out but way before. Acceptance should start with carers and educators and trickle down to children who can see how to respect themselves and others in their gender experience. Actually, this goes beyond gender. Unconditional love should encompass all aspects of child experiences. So they can grow up into healthy adults.

To be fair I found this book to be just "common sense"