Comments on: CA Senate To Vote On Banning Reparative Therapy Tomorrow

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 30 May 2012 02:37:56 +0000

Just to clarify, I am all for any sexual orientation and gender identification that an individual chooses to express. In regards to the article, I find it reprehensible that “reparative therapy” tries to fix what, in my mind, is not even broken. I can see the merits of therapy as it pertains to coming to grips with sexual and gender expressions that don’t conform to the current “mainstream” norms, and learning to accept your own self.
What rubbed me wrong in Lisa’s comment was what I saw as her suggestion that those who don’t embrace other sexual and gender expressions as candidates for a listing in the DSM. Let’s face it. Humans, for the most part, are a pretty shallow and selfish lot. We can get fired up about causes that affect us directly, while others don’t even ping our radar.
I do think that education is key for those who Lisa would give a classification to in the DSM. One thing that personally confuses me is the whole “LGBTAQUI…” nomenclature. I guess I haven’t kept up well enough because I don’t know what all these labels are for. It’s obvious that our language is inadequate in covering all the various nuances of expression (I’m all for a gender neutral pronoun being added to the lexicon). Maybe we should dump the alphabet soup and call ourselves one of “The Myriad” – those whose sexual orientation and gender identity don’t fit that “mainstream” box. Then, we can express ourselves as we see fit, and not give a flying canary what others may sneer or look down at.
Lisa, I am sorry if your experiences with others of non-mainstream expressions (others of the Myriad) have been less than embracing, but I have found that a simple mantra (while easy to say, takes time to really settle in) works for me. I just say “FK ‘em” and carry on. Best wishes.

By: Bridgette P. LaVictoire

Bridgette P. LaVictoire — Wed, 30 May 2012 01:15:20 +0000

Please keep all discourse respectful.

Additionally, I recently changed the name of this news category to be more inclusive since I, and many others inside our Community, do not reflect the LGB or T. There are a lot of A’s, Q’s, U’s, and I’s out there.

Lisa- I think that there is a need for therapists to understand and keep in mind that there are issues surrounding being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, et al, but that is taken care of in training and should be separate from the DSM.

Bob- Lisa has a point in that there are many aspects of sexual orientation which are also related to gender identity. This is part of why many lesbians and gays can be insensitive and have issues with trans people, especially lesbian and gay trans people.

I suspect that both of you were kind of talking past each other. You both made good points, and I understood what you were both saying.

By: Lisa McDonald

Lisa McDonald — Wed, 30 May 2012 01:04:22 +0000

Well Bob I think if your going to fly a T at the end of your LGB then hell yeah there should be mutual respect and a certain amount of sympathy. Otherwise its just a bad joke oh wait isn’t that what the lgbt already is?

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 30 May 2012 00:08:54 +0000

Most same sex attracted people you’ve met suffer from severe gender sensitivity issues?? And have an issue being sympathetic toward Transsexuals? Is there a requirement to be sympathetic toward anyone? Do you wear your transsexualism on your sleeve? Maybe some folk just don’t care and don’t want to jump on your – or any – band wagon.

By: Lisa McDonald

Lisa McDonald — Tue, 29 May 2012 23:44:30 +0000

I personally believe it is a huge mistake not having certain issues that revolve around same sex attraction in the DSM. What I’m talking about isn’t the same sex attraction its some of the unhealthy actions and socially caused anxiety or unhealthy feelings. I honestly believe most same sex attracted people I’ve met suffer from severe gender sensitivity issues and that is why I believe that many have an issue being sympathetic towards Transsexuals and some are outright hostile towards us.