July 27th, 2015
It was the night of the Supreme Court decision on marriage equality. I was at dinner with some friends and things were winding down. It was late, almost midnight, and I quickly checked Facebook and saw what seemed unbelievable. The White House was bathed in the six colors of the gay pride flag. I shouted out, “The White House is lit up like a gay pride flag!” I decided that I had to see it in person, so I rode my bike to the White House, arriving at 12:30 am.
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Tags: glbt, healing, lgbt, self-love
Posted Under | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer Concerns | No Comments »
March 20th, 2015
I’m not man enough, says one trans male client. I question my masculinity, says another cis male client. Am I as much of a woman as a cis woman?, asks a trans female client. Why doesn’t my life matter?, asks an African American cis male client. Questions like these pop up with much regularity in my work. People questioning their authenticity because cultural “norms” and life experiences make them feel out of place, invalidated, and just plain crappy about themselves.
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Tags: confidence, lgbt, People of Color, self care, self-love
Posted Under | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer Concerns, People of Color, Therapy & Counseling | No Comments »
June 26th, 2014
What is it like when gender becomes so obscure and individualized that it seems to no longer matter as much as it did before…while still being an important part of someone’s identity and experience? Attend a conference for Trans*/GNC (Gender Non-conforming) folk and their allies and you’ll see for yourself, as I recently did, and you’ll realize how radically different, and accepting, the world can be.
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Tags: gender, gender identity, gender non-conforming, genderqueer, glbt, lgbt, trans*, transgender
Posted Under | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer Concerns | No Comments »
January 22nd, 2014
For many transgender people, particularly those who identify on the gender binary, “passing” is of particular importance. And this makes a lot of sense to me. I understand the very real concerns about people on the streets, at the job, or in a restroom recognizing you as transgender. There can be powerful, negative repercussions when that happens. Unfortunately, we see this all the time and even have an annual day of mourning to those whose lives are lost due to the fear and hatred of others. However, I have seen in my work that passing also comes with some troubles.
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Tags: & Transgender Concerns, gender identity, glbt, lgbt, transgender, transphobia, transsexual
Posted Under | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer Concerns | No Comments »
September 19th, 2010
Most people never question their gender – they don’t even realize that they have a gender identity. It just is. For others, the path is different. If you identify as transgender, transsexual, Female to Male, Male to Female, Genderqueer, or any way other than Cisgendered, you know that path. And sometimes, you may find it helpful to have a therapist journey with you.
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Tags: gender, gender identity, gender therapist, lgbt, transgender
Posted Under | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer Concerns | No Comments »
February 13th, 2009
The December 2008 Journal of Health & Science reported that gay men who feel sexually undesirable are more likely to have risky sex (The Advocate, February 2009 issue). Gay men with positive body images are more likely to insist that their partners use condoms. In other words, gay men who feel good about themselves make better decisions about their health.
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Tags: & Sexual Compulsions, alcohol, Anxiety & Stress, Depression, Anxiety & Stress, drugs, gay, hope, lgbt, self-love
Posted Under | Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer Concerns | No Comments »
December 21st, 2008
Almost any day, when I read the newspaper, I am confronted with the ways social forces try to marginalize minority folks, their experiences, and opinions. Women, People of Color, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual folks, and Transgender people are often told to quit complaining. “You’re taking things too seriously.” “It’s not as bad as you make it out to be.” “You’re ridiculous.” All of these messages, from my point of view, are the greater culture’s effort to maintain status quo and keep others from living their lives the way it was meant to be.
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Tags: African Americans, Depression, Anxiety & Stress, lgbt, self-love
Posted Under | Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer Concerns, People of Color | 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.
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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.
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Tags: bisexual, gay, glbt, lesbian, lgbt
Posted Under | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer Concerns, People of Color | 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.
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Tags: bisexual, couples, gay, glbt, lesbian, lgbt, relationships
Posted Under | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Queer Concerns, Relationships, Couples, Polyamory, Kink & Sexuality | No Comments »
