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eudijo's review
5.0
This story made me reflect heavily on my advocacy in my professional and personal lives. It was a wake-up call of sorts.
candeanne's review
5.0
Alex's story is heartbreaking & infuriating, but I could not put it down. As difficult as it is to read, her voice and experiences are important to hear.
vickylovesreading's review
4.0
This was incredible and heartbreaking and I'm so glad she found happiness and things worked out.
lammerman's review
3.0
I’m not sure how to rate this book. On one hand, it did what any good book should; it incited a reaction, it made me feel something. Many things, actually. I felt sadness, anger, resolve, regret. The writing was redundant and amateur, which can be ignored mostly because the story is so intriguing. There are also some things I feel were glossed over and other things, like the paragraphs of statistics, that were, in most cases, misplaced and abrupt. However, this story is an important one- change will not come unless people speak out. Worth the read.
samjunipero's review
5.0
This was a heart-wrenching read. The fact that this happens more often than not makes me so angry and disgusted. I felt so terrible for Alex and I was so relieved when she was able to get some justice. It is important for these stories to be told and to be believed.
abbyjean's review
5.0
Such an important and compelling read. I read this in a day, I could not put it down. Alex is one strong girl!
rachelhelps's review
4.0
This book is about Alex, who grew up LDS. When she came out to her parents, they kicked her out and then found a family in St. George, Utah, to convert her into being straight. Except that family wasn't licensed at all, and ended up abusing her physically, emotionally, and spiritually (and also, it's not possible to change a person's sexual orientation through bullying them).
With the help of some friends she was able to escape her abusers and return to her family, but not without a huge legal struggle to ensure her safety. Part of that legal struggle was setting a precedent for other LGBT kids in Utah; during the case her opposition argued that encouraging her to be heterosexual was part of her parents' right to raise her in their religion, but by the end of the case they decided that was not the case (I think). Reading about her custody trial also helped me understand more about how the legal system works--it seems like more of a give-and-take until both parties are more or less satisfied or tired. I also feel more sympathy for victims of abuse who decide in the end not to press charges, as it seemed like a very stressful experience (Alex decided to get on with her life rather than press charges against the family that abused her).
This book was horrifying, riveting, and emotionally draining. Five stars for being courageous and publishing this book. But I can't say I really enjoyed reading about this emotionally difficult experience, but I think it was good for me to realize what terrible things LDS exclusion of gay people can inspire. If you are an LDS parent, please decide now that you would never abandon your child or kick them our of your house because of their sexual orientation. You can hold a temple recommend and still love and support your children, even if they are queer. If you're an LGBT/QUILTBAG person struggling in the LDS community, my ears and heart, and possibly my spare room if it comes down to that, are open to you.
With the help of some friends she was able to escape her abusers and return to her family, but not without a huge legal struggle to ensure her safety. Part of that legal struggle was setting a precedent for other LGBT kids in Utah; during the case her opposition argued that encouraging her to be heterosexual was part of her parents' right to raise her in their religion, but by the end of the case they decided that was not the case (I think). Reading about her custody trial also helped me understand more about how the legal system works--it seems like more of a give-and-take until both parties are more or less satisfied or tired. I also feel more sympathy for victims of abuse who decide in the end not to press charges, as it seemed like a very stressful experience (Alex decided to get on with her life rather than press charges against the family that abused her).
This book was horrifying, riveting, and emotionally draining. Five stars for being courageous and publishing this book. But I can't say I really enjoyed reading about this emotionally difficult experience, but I think it was good for me to realize what terrible things LDS exclusion of gay people can inspire. If you are an LDS parent, please decide now that you would never abandon your child or kick them our of your house because of their sexual orientation. You can hold a temple recommend and still love and support your children, even if they are queer. If you're an LGBT/QUILTBAG person struggling in the LDS community, my ears and heart, and possibly my spare room if it comes down to that, are open to you.
librarian_barbie's review
5.0
I read this in one day, and damn. It is truly a harrowing account of anti-gay abuse that is going to stick with me for a minute. 5 stars for its impact and importance.