The GLBTRT has been reviewing books and movies in its newsletter since the early 1990s. Trace the evolution of queer publishing through these historic reviews. This review was originally published in Vol. 3, No 3 & 4 Spring/Summer 1991.

Different Mothers. Edited by Louise Rafkin. Cleis Press, 1990. Paper. $9.95 (ISBN 0-939416-41-7) Cloth. $24.95 (ISBN 0939416-40-9)

This is a tender, thought-provoking collection of first person narratives by children of lesbians. Most of the children are between six and twenty-six.

While many of the children are happy, some have painful stories to tell. In families of lesbians, as in all families, some parents are better at parenting than others, and some families are more dysfunctional than others.

The families represent a wide range-some of the children have two lesbian mothers; some began their lives in more “traditional” families; some are adopted; one lived with separatists; some struggle with their mother’s lovers; several must keep their mothers’ secrets or face a custody battle. Through it all, these children seem not only to survive, but to flourish.

I heartily recommend this book. it is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the diversity of people and families, or in the amazing resilience and capacity for understanding that children have. The message that comes through time and again is that it may not be easy growing up with a lesbian mom, but these kids wouldn’t trade the experience.

Louise Rafkin, who also edited Different Daughters, a similar collection from the mothers of lesbians, has once again produced a marvelous book full of honesty.

Reviewed by Nancy Higgs
Evansville-Vanderburgh
County Public Library
Evansville, Indiana