The Gay and Lesbian Self-Esteem Book: A Guide to Loving Ourselves
Product Description
For gays and lesbians, self-acceptance means challenging society’s persistent stereotypes and prejudices about homosexuality. Rather than translating self-esteem guidance from books with a hetero- centrist viewpoint, Kimeron Hardin has created a personal growth book specifically aimed at helping gays and lesbians deal with the very particular issues they have in their lives. He examines feelings of shame left over from childhood; discusses how careers, relationships, and lifestyle choices are affected by self-doubts; and suggests a variety of proven healing strategies. He also includes exercises that readers can use to change what they say to themselves, begin to recognize their strengths, and develop new directions for self-growth.
The Gay and Lesbian Self-Esteem Book: A Guide to Loving Ourselves
Hardin, Kimeron. “The Gay and Lesbian Self Esteem Book, New Harbinger Publications, 1999.
Accepting Ourselves
Amos Lassen
In the gay and lesbian communities it is necessary to challenge the stereotypes in order to achieve a sense of self-esteem. There are so many prejudices over the way we live that it is sometimes hard for us to accept ourselves. Kimeron Hardin gives us a way that allows us to look at our personal growth so that we can deal with the issues that face us and he examines the feelings of shame that are remnants of childhood. He further looks at our careers and relationships as well as the choices we make all of which are affected by our own feelings of self-doubt, He provides a healing strategy as well as exercises that we can use to better accept ourselves and begin to recognize our strengths.
The information here helps to heal wounds that both society and individuals have caused. We learn to gain a sense of self-respect and how to deal with damage that others inflict upon us simply because our sexual orientation is different. I found myself inspired by what I read and even though I have no problem of lack of self esteem, I see how this book can help those who do. The message here is that the problem is not ours, it is society’s and once we accept that we will be able to accept ourselves.
Rating: 4 / 5
This book is excellent and very inspiring. I highly recommend it to anyone, but especially to other gays and lesbians who are carrying a heavy burden of guilt from their childhood on. Reading it and completing the exercises led me on a splendid and magical, healing journey to wholeness. For the first time in my life of over 30 years, I actually feel good about myself and my life and my sexual orientation. The message of this wonderful book is: Society is the problem — NOT your sexual orientation! I agree 100%. This book’s message is easily applicable to all other minorities with an alternative lifestyle, as well. Please read this book, for yourself and for your loved ones. Self-esteem is the greatest gift which you can give to yourself as well as to your partner and the other people in your life. READ IT today! And a warm hug and THANK YOU to Dr. Hardin for sharing this tremendous message!
Rating: 5 / 5
Nice book… it makes some good points.
But it really should be called “The Gay Self-Esteem Book” instead of “The Gay and Lesbian Self-Esteem Book”. I appreciate the author’s attempts to include token lesbian examples, but the examples are two-dimensional and unconvincing, and many issues that are specific to lesbians are left out entirely.
So, probably a great book for gay guys, but if you’re a lesbian, you might be better off looking elsewhere.
Rating: 3 / 5
Dr. Hardin’s book is a powerful book that presents information vital to healing the wounds inflicted on gays and lesbians, both by society and by individuals, in a manner that is friendly, accessible and eminently usable without compromising on the complexity of the topic. The respect with which the subjects of his book and the readers are treated is healing in and of itself. This book is a must read for all gays and lesbians, their family, friends and coworkers and anyone interested in preventing the damage inflicted on individuals simply because of their sexual orientation. It speaks indirectly as well to members of other groups who likewise suffer discrimination because of group membership. As a woman, in a male dominated society, I found much of relevance to my own situation in his book. This book is an easy, accessible read whose implications and potential to better the lives of its readers are profound and anything but simplistic. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 5 / 5