Fern Schumer Chapman

A survey of LGBTQ+ youth quantifies fears of family shunning. Nearly half of LGBTQ+ young adults are estranged from at least one family member. LGBTQ+ adults are twice as likely as non-LGBTQ+ adults to say they are not close to immediate family members. When trying to sustain a "family myth" or identity, relatives often cast out those who are different. I first realized how common and devastating estrangement is in the LGBTQ+ community while conducting a survey for my book, Brothers,...

Unlike a rivalry, abuse is one-sided, and it's too often tolerated. Even professionals often mislabel sibling intimidation or violence as...