Out & about campus : personal accounts by lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgendered college students /

Howard and Stevens, a masters of education candidate and the director of residential life, respectively, at the University of Vermont, have collected 28 first-person accounts from lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered students from colleges and universities across the country. A good mix of ethnicity and college settings marks these essays, which are all tied together by the theme of coming out to oneself and to the community. Some essays are heartbreaking and others triumphant; all are engagingly written. There are stories of supportive friends and family but also of ostracism and gay bashing. Several students struggle with religion, another successfully comes out in a sorority, and another describes the challenges of being a transsexual in transition. Though their struggles vary, all of the students seem to have gained self-confidence during their college years. Recommended for all public and academic libraries but especially for colleges and universities where students facing similar challenges might find some comfort and inspiration.--Debra Moore, Loyola Marymount Univ. Lib., Los Angeles (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.