Confessions of the Other Mother: Nonbiological Lesbian Moms Tell All!

Lambda Literary finalist, LGBT Anthology

One of the few books to explore lesbian parenting, these "hilarious, heart-wrenching, painfully honest tales of mommyhood" celebrate the ups and downs of being an LGBTQIA+ parent in the 21st century (Joey Solloway, creator of Transparent)

After author Harlyn Aizley gave birth to her daughter, she watched in unanticipated horror as her partner scooped up the baby and said, "I'm your new mommy!" While they both had worked to find the perfect sperm donor, Aizley had spent nine months carrying the baby and hours in labor, so how could her partner claim to be their child's mommy?

Many diapers later, Aizley began to appreciate the complexity of her partner's new role as the other mother. Together, they searched for stories about families like their own, in which a woman has chosen to forgo her own birth experience so that she might support her partner in hers. They found very few. Now, in Confessions of the Other Mother, Aizley has put together an exciting collection of personal stories by women like her partner who are creating new parenting roles, redefining motherhood, and reshaping our view of two-parent families. Contributors include Hillary Goodridge, who was one of the lead plaintiffs in the case for same-sex marriage in Massachusetts, stand-up comedian Judy Gold, and psychologist and author Suzanne M. Johnson.

This candid peek into a previously unexamined side of lesbian parenting is full of stories that are sometimes humorous, sometimes moving, but at all times celebratory. Each parenting tale sheds light on the many facets of motherhood, offering gay and straight readers alike a deeper understanding of what it means to love and parent in the twenty-first century.

Author: Harlyn Aizley
Publisher: Beacon Press
Published: 05/01/2006
Pages: 208
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.47lbs
Size: 8.42h x 6.78w x 0.55d
ISBN: 9780807079638


Award: Lambda Literary Awards - Finalist


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 03/13/2006 pg. 56
Booklist 05/01/2006 pg. 56

About the Author
Harlyn Aizley is the author of Buying Dad: One Woman's Search for the Perfect Sperm Donor. Her work has appeared in national journals, magazines, and anthologies and has aired on public radio stations nationwide. Aizley resides in the Boston area with her family, where she works as a writer and teacher.