Daddy's Roommate
Encyclopedia
Daddy's Roommate is a children's book written by Michael Willhoite and published by Alyson Books in 1991 (ISBN 1555831184). The book, about a young boy whose divorce
d father now lives with his gay partner, deals with the controversial subject of homosexual parents.
Daddy's Roommate was one of the first children's books to portray homosexuality in a positive light; the two men in the book do the same things heterosexual couples do: Take care of the house, argue, and spend time with their boy. Consequently, the book has become one of the most challenged
books in recent years with the American Library Association
listing it at number 2 in their list of the 100 most challenged books from 1990-1999.
Daddy's Roommate became a point of discussion in the 2008 US Presidential Election when it was alleged that, in 1995, Sarah Palin
, then a councilwoman in Wasilla, Alaska
, complained that the book did not belong in the public library.
Stand-up comedian Bill Hicks
mocked the book in his final 1993 Late Show with David Letterman
appearance. He also referenced Heather Has Two Mommies.
Divorce
Divorce is the final termination of a marital union, canceling the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and dissolving the bonds of matrimony between the parties...
d father now lives with his gay partner, deals with the controversial subject of homosexual parents.
Daddy's Roommate was one of the first children's books to portray homosexuality in a positive light; the two men in the book do the same things heterosexual couples do: Take care of the house, argue, and spend time with their boy. Consequently, the book has become one of the most challenged
Challenge (literature)
The American Library Association defines a challenge to literature as an attempt by a person or group of people to have materials, such as books, removed from a library or school curriculum, or otherwise restricted. Merely objecting to material is not a challenge without the attempt to remove or...
books in recent years with the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
listing it at number 2 in their list of the 100 most challenged books from 1990-1999.
Daddy's Roommate became a point of discussion in the 2008 US Presidential Election when it was alleged that, in 1995, Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin is an American politician, commentator and author. As the Republican Party nominee for Vice President in the 2008 presidential election, she was the first Alaskan on the national ticket of a major party and first Republican woman nominated for the vice-presidency.She was...
, then a councilwoman in Wasilla, Alaska
Wasilla, Alaska
Wasilla is a city in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, United States and the sixth-largest city in Alaska. It is located on the northern point of Cook Inlet in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley of the southcentral part of the state. The city's population was 7,831 at the 2010 census...
, complained that the book did not belong in the public library.
Stand-up comedian Bill Hicks
Bill Hicks
William Melvin "Bill" Hicks was an American stand-up comedian, social critic, satirist, and musician. His material largely consisted of general discussions about society, religion, politics, philosophy, and personal issues. Hicks' material was often controversial and steeped in dark comedy...
mocked the book in his final 1993 Late Show with David Letterman
Late Show with David Letterman
Late Show with David Letterman is a U.S. late-night talk show hosted by David Letterman on CBS. The show debuted on August 30, 1993, and is produced by Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants Incorporated. The show's music director and band-leader of the house band, the CBS Orchestra, is...
appearance. He also referenced Heather Has Two Mommies.
See also
- Heather Has Two MommiesHeather Has Two MommiesHeather Has Two Mommies is a children's book written by Lesléa Newman with Diana Souza's illustrations, first published in 1989. It is about a child, Heather, raised by lesbian women: her biological mother, Jane, who gave birth to her after artificial insemination, and her biological mother's...
, by Lesléa NewmanLesléa NewmanLesléa Newman, born in 1955 in Brooklyn, New York, is an American author and editor. She is Jewish, a feminist and openly lesbian.She has written and edited 57 books and anthologies. She has written about such topics as being a Jew, body image and eating disorders, lesbianism, gay parenting, and...
, portrays a lesbianLesbianLesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
couple in a similar positive light - Homosexuality in children's literatureHomosexuality in children's literatureHomosexuality in children's literature covers children's books that include mention of homosexuality. With increased mainstream acceptability of homosexuality, the publication of such books has increased, though it faces opposition.-Publication:...