Overview

Becoming parent is a timely addition to the literature on lesbian and gay parenting that specifically addresses the Australian context, whilst still speaking to an international audience. Becoming parent brings together academic and political insights with the experiences of a parent to create a unique text that is both educational and enjoyable. Mixing personal narratives with critical commentary this book speaks to parents and non-parents alike, and covers a broad range of topics such as diversity within queer communities, the media, law, narratives of family and much more.

“Becoming parent will provide you with a stimulating, challenging and sophisticated toolkit for taking apart (and putting back together) what it means to parent as a lesbian or a gay man”

(Dr. Victoria Clarke, University of the West of England).

Dr. Damien W. Riggs is an ARC Postdoctoral Fellow in the School of Psychology at the University of Adelaide. His research focuses on the fields of critical race and whiteness studies, lesbian and gay psychology, and family and parenting studies. Damien is also involved in foster carer/lesbian and gay parenting advocacy. Damien regularly speaks on Joy FM on topics relating to parenting and is himself the co-parent of two wonderful boys.

Table of Contents

• Foreword: It's all about the trousers... (by Dr. Victoria Clarke)

1. Introduction: Becoming parent
2. What is a parent? Family as a verb
3. Being normal: Is that what we want?
4. 'Sounds like a conspiracy theory': Rights and laws
5. Language and sexuality: Films, storks and passing
6. Knowing me, knowing you