Archive for the ‘Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer Concerns’ Category
December 15th, 2008
I just read Randi Ettner’s “Gender Loving Care” (W.W. Norton & Company, 1999) and was reminded of many things. Most importantly, the great courage it takes for folks to live their life according to their true gender, not the one ascribe to them by society. When a person’s body doesn’t match their internal sense of who they are, a great dissatisfaction and discomfort can occur. To have the courage to be true to oneself, in the face of a judging culture, is something to be admired.
Read the rest of this page »
Tags: gender identity, shame, transgender, transphobia, transsexual
Posted Under | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer Concerns | No Comments »
December 3rd, 2008
Just like adults, stress can have very negative impacts on an adolescent’s mental and emotional health. Anxiousness, withdrawal, agitation, depression, and the behaviors teens turn to to cope with these feelings are all possible responses. Teens who aren’t successfully coping can turn to drugs, unsafe sex, anger, and other dangerous behaviors. When faced with such situations, parents often times feel fearful, irritated, and hopeless.
Read the rest of this page »
Tags: coping, Parenting, stress
Posted Under | Adolescents/Teenagers, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer Concerns, People of Color | No Comments »
November 22nd, 2008
Sometimes when adolescents show behaviors and interests that differ from their peers, parents are ecstatic. A physics genius, an interest in reading and writing rather than Wii! Things like this excite parents. When a teen shows affectional and sexual interest in their same-sex or when boys “act like girls” and girls “like boys” – well, this is when parents and caregivers often times get confused or concerned.
Read the rest of this page »
Tags: adolescents, bisexual, gay, glbt, lesbian, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer Concerns, transgender
Posted Under | Adolescents/Teenagers, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer Concerns | No Comments »
November 6th, 2008
In the wake of Proposition 8 passing in California, I’ve been reflecting on what this means for LGBT folk. For those who don’t know, Proposition 8 is a referendum that passed a few days ago, creating a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
Read the rest of this page »
Tags: bisexual, gay, glbt, lesbian, lgbt, transgender
Posted Under | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer Concerns, Relationships, Couples, Polyamory, Kink & Sexuality | No Comments »
November 5th, 2008
For some folk, realizing that you are attracted to a person of the same sex can be a confusing and anxiety-producing experience. All of the sudden, your life is not what you think it is. Your dreams for the future seem less clear.
Read the rest of this page »
Tags: bisexual, gay, glbt, lesbian, lgbt
Posted Under | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer Concerns, People of Color | No Comments »
November 2nd, 2008
It’s obvious…abuse hurts. Sexual, physical, emotional and mental abuse causes pain and suffering. People who’ve been abused often feel shame too. Our culture doesn’t smile upon the vulnerable and hurt. In fact, it often judges those who’ve been victimized, no matter whether your a man or woman, gay or straight.
Read the rest of this page »
Tags: abuse, assault, Sexual/Physical Abuse & Trauma, trauma
Posted Under | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer Concerns, Sexual/Physical Abuse & Trauma | No Comments »
October 27th, 2008
No – marriage equality hasn’t spread across the country…yet. However, Dr. John Gottman of The Gottman Institute has learned some interesting things in his study of lesbian and gay couples. And it appears that same-sex couples have something to teach straight couples.
Read the rest of this page »
Tags: bisexual, couples, gay, glbt, lesbian, lgbt, relationships
Posted Under | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer Concerns, Relationships, Couples, Polyamory, Kink & Sexuality | No Comments »
October 21st, 2008
I’ve been reading up on Couples Therapy lately. It’s quite interesting what a specific researcher is saying. Dr. John Gottman at the University of Washington in Seattle has been researching couples for years. He has found the qualities that make or break a couple – and they’re not what we’ve come to expect.
Read the rest of this page »
Tags: bisexual, couples, gay, glbt, healthy, lesbian, lgbt, marriage, relationships
Posted Under | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer Concerns, Relationships, Couples, Polyamory, Kink & Sexuality | No Comments »
October 20th, 2008
People questioning their gender identity need to be assured that their therapist is affirming and knowledgeable. I have educated myself, gained training, and have experience working with transgender folk and people uncomfortable with the gender they were assigned.
Read the rest of this page »
Tags: bisexual, gay, gender, glbt, identity, lesbian, lgbt, transgender, transphobia, transsexual
Posted Under | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer Concerns | Comments Off on Questioning Gender Identity