Schwartz, John

"A heartfelt memoir by the father of a gay teen, and an eye-opening guide for families who hope to bring up well-adjusted gay adults. Three years ago, John Schwartz, a national correspondent at The New York Times, got the call that every parent hopes never to receive: his thirteen-year-old son, Joe, was in the hospital following a suicide attempt. Mustering the courage to come out to his classmates, Joe's disclosure--delivered in a tirade about homophobic attitudes--was greeted with unease and confusion by his fellow students. Hours later, he took an overdose of pills. In the aftermath, John and his wife, Jeanne, determined to help Joe feel more comfortable in his own skin, launched a search for services and groups that could help Joe understand that he wasn't alone. This book is Schwartz's very personal attempt to address his family's struggles within a culture that is changing fast, but not fast enough to help gay kids like Joe" --.

John Schwartz reflects on his and his wife's efforts to help their son understand his homosexual identity after he attempted to commit suicide. Schwartz details the major obstacles his family had to overcome along the way and reveals how they finally managed to move forward and build a better, more stable future for them all. Includes tips and advice for teens and parents in similar situations.

Journalist John Schwartz examines societal views on height, discussing marketing, psychology, and mythology; and reflects on the influence of stature on his beliefs and life.