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List Price: $21.95 | | Publisher: Alyson Books
Salesrank: 1398863
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| Our Price: $4.49 |
| Used Price: $0.01 |
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| Media: Hardcover |
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Editorial Review:
In her first book, Love, Ellen: A Mother/Daughter Journey, Betty DeGeneres revealed the struggles of her own life and those of her famous daughter, TV and film actor Ellen DeGeneres. While most people knew the all-too-public saga of Ellen's professional and private coming-out odyssey, many did not know the hardship and triumphs that Betty went through trying to be the best possible mom to her daughter during what turned out to be one of the most historic events in gay and lesbian history. The lessons learned from that journey sent Betty into a whole new chapter of her own life. After Ellen came out, Betty became the official spokeswoman for the Human Rights Campaign (the first non-gay person to assume this position). Today she continues traveling the country far and wide in that role, talking to gay men and lesbians and their families and friends about the fear, rejection, abandonment, love, and acceptance they've experienced. At the end of Love, Ellen: A Mother/Daughter Journey, Betty invited readers to send letters and communications to her with questions and stories about their own battles as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, or straight human beings caught up in the fight for equal rights. The response was overwhelming. It frightened her. What could she possibly bring to all these moving, heroic, tragic, funny tales? After the initial shock subsided, Betty realized the answer: She could give of herself. After all, that's what she'd been doing for years. For Ellen, for Anne Heche, for her son Vance, for the thousands of people she'd met on the road. To all of them she's simply offered what she knows best: her own supportive, kind, nurturing, strong life experiences and ever-evolving understanding as Just a Mom.
Betty DeGeneres is the author of Love, Ellen: A Mother/Daughter Journeyand mother of comedian Ellen DeGeneres. She is currently the spokesperson for the HRC Coming Out Project and an active member of PFLAG. She now lends her expertise to PlanetOut as an advice columnist on issues of coming out and acceptance.
Description of Just A Mom (An Advocate Book):
To her surprise, Betty DeGeneres, once a quiet housewife and mother, has become a gentle, consistent, and rational voice in the gay liberation movement. In Just a Mom, she speaks for all the ordinary Americans whose children have turned out "different" and whose first concern is that they will suffer pain and rejection in life. It is natural, DeGeneres points out, to harbor some disappointment or anger at a gay child, and she guides parents toward appropriate resources and organizations, like the Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). With warmth and conviction, DeGeneres expands on her memoir Love, Ellen to address some of the questions she has been asked as a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, such as "Did I make my child gay?" and "How can I protect my child?" She makes some practical suggestions on how to handle homophobia and threats at school, and how to help build self-esteem in a child whose peers may ridicule him. And she argues on the enormous personal and societal benefits of coming out of the closet. But this is not so much a practical guide to keeping a child safe or combating hatred as a simple, homey, and reassuring recitation of what we all know--or should know: good parenting means unconditional love and support. --Regina Marler
Just A Mom (An Advocate Book) Reviews:
Touching 
2008-07-09 - This is a very heart warming, comforting book to gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transexuals or even to those who find themselves different among the majority in society. The book discussed about Mama Betty and Ellen's experiences and journey together on her coming out and how it made their relationship stronger. This book is greatly recommended to everyone to see the bigger picture of this issue about human sexuality. Hopefully, it opens the minds and hearts of those who will read it.. like the way Mama Betty opened her mind and heart about her daughter, Ellen. Love is what's most important after all.
A wonderful book filled with excellent advice
2001-10-11 - "Just a Mom" was a tremendous help to me when I was struggling to overcome my ignorance about my daughter's homosexuality. I highly recommend it to anyone who has a gay loved one.
Definitely More Than "Just A Mom" 
2000-11-05 - For any gay child, reading more from Betty DeGeneres confirms that we want to adopt her as our own Mom. More personal disclosure than her first effort. The unfortunate breakup between Ellen and Anne makes the timing of this release a bit awkward though. For any parent who is struggling to deal with their child's sexual orientation, this is a must-read book.
