Memoir
NOT LIKE OTHER BOYS -- Growing Up Gay: A Mother and Son Look Back

co-authored with son Christopher Shyer

" What makes their story ultimately heroic... a reminder of all those who struggle against the stigma of who they are." -- New YorK Times Book Review

Is it possible for a mother to know that her son will grow up to be gay when he is only five years old? Here's an excerpt:

"I've been worried about Chris," I told his kindergarten teacher.

"In what way?"

Saying it aloud for the first time took courage. "I'm afraid he may grow up to be homosexual."

If she thought I was deranged, she gave no sign and took me seriously. I explained that I had not a bit of solid evidence, but was just drifting in on one of those ephemeral mother-hunches.