Book revealing the Personal Social, and Religious
Pain and Trauma of Growing up Gay in America

Mitchell Gold has made a name for himself as part of the powerful team Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. In 1989, Gold and Williams created their namesake furniture company in Taylorsville, North Carolina. Just nine years later, Inc. magazine positioned the company at number 57 on its list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies. In April 2005, Inc. named Gold one of its '26 Entrepreneurs We Love.'

A long time supporter of  our community, Mitchell Gold is increasingly becoming known not just for amazing furniture, but also for his work as an advocate for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender equality.  Gold founded the non-profit advocacy organization Faith in America; and has edited a new book, Crisis: 40 Stories Revealing the Personal Social, and Religious Pain and Trauma of Growing up Gay in America, which will surely become a must-read for all LGBT advocates, and has the potential to impact the future of our movement.

Mitchell Gold asked forty gay Americans to share very personal stories about the pain, fear, and rejection that can be a part of growing up gay in America. Contributors include many respected leaders including: Bishop Gene Robinson, H. Alexander Robinson, Jim Hormel, Donna Red Wing, Kevin Jennings, Rep. Tammy Baldwin, Rep. Barney Frank, to name a few.

Many discuss their long-buried feelings here for the first time. Several young adults open up about the depression, fear, and isolation that are still a part of growing up gay in many areas of the country today. Gold calls this a silent epidemic and mental health crisis affecting hundreds of thousands of gay teens. And he emphasizes that this crisis can be solved, with compassion and fair-mindedness - and by getting those whose words and deeds cause harm to stop.

The book's contributors reveal what made them feel alone and unloved and at times so hopeless suicide seemed the only option. And they suggest ways to help the next generation of teens. These stories are also lessons in perseverance and achievement, showing the inner strength of the contributors and inspiring us all with their triumphs against the odds. Learn the harm religion-based prejudices cause, see the dangers of 'cures' like reparative therapy, and get insight into the question of sin and homosexuality that divides many churches and families today. Become better able to help gay kids in your family, congregation, or classroom. Understand the importance of electing candidates who support equal rights and strive to protect all our children.

Mitchell Gold challenges us in a powerfull way to recommit ourselves to fighting what he calls a 'silent epidemic' of depression, isolation, and fear, that plagues many young gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender young people.

For more information on Crisis, visit CrisisBook.org.

(c) David Mariner, All Rights Reserved

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