A Review of Free Your Mind

Free Your Mind

"Don't you wish you had this book when you were a kid?"

This question met my eyes when I was flipping through Circles Magazine (a lesbian magazine which is now out of print). "What kind of book is this advertisement about?" I wondered. After reading the ad, I decided to buy the book.

It was a quick decision, but it was a right one.

I have read absorbing novels which I found it hard to put down, but it is the first time that I have been so fascinated by non-fiction.

Free Your Mind is a comprehensive guide written by two counsellors and lesbian mothers for lesbian, gay and bisexual teenagers and their allies. It covers a wide range of aspects including self-discovery, friends and lovers, family, school, spirituality and community. Subjects like self-acceptance, coming out, relationships, sex, AIDS, religious life, the history of the gay and lesbian community and discrimination are discussed in positive, proud and reassuring tone. Reading this book is like having a conversation with a supportive listener.

The writers do not comfort LGBT teenagers by downplaying the problems they face in this homophobic world. Nor do they paint a bleak picture of the difficulties. They just present facts and information straightforwardly, and give advice honestly aiming at helping LGBT youth accept and take pride in themselves, deal with their problems and finally lead a fulfilling life.

Apart from the authors' opinions, you can find in this book the personal accounts of over 50 young people. They share their experiences, feelings and views in the hope that 'their stories would help ease the path for other young people and their families'. Also, there are inspiring quotes, amusing cartoons and biographical notes of well-known gay, lesbian and bisexual people throughout the book. At the end of the book, there is a very useful resource list, which contains information about helplines, agencies and organizations for LGBT teens in the States and Canada and LGBT books and magazines. All this conveys to LGBT youth a very important message - 'You are not alone'.

If you have just realized your same-sex feelings of attraction and this has made you confused or even scared,
If you are struggling with your same-sex feelings and trying to come to terms with your sexual orientation,
If you are a lesbian, gay or bisexual teenager and you feel isolated because you have no like-minded peers or trustworthy adults to talk to,
If you are a parent, an educator or someone who cares about LGBT teens, and wants to understand them more and to help create a supportive and respectful environment for them,

this book is for you.

This book should be in every school library and youth centre.

If only it had been available when I was fifteen.