How is the coming-out journey?

Are you out? All the way out. Partly out? It's all up to you and don't let anyone tell you what to do. I was watching the Ellen show today, which I don't always get to watch due to work. But Neil Patrick Harris (Barney from "How I met Your Mother") was on bragging about his twins - they were so cute, showing pictures of he and his spouse and the kids - we've come a long way!! 2 very famous, successful, OUT people. But not everyone is in an environment where they can do that. Today, no one wants to lose his/her job.
And yes, it's always hard with family members. We don't want our kids, parents, or whoever, to alienate us. It is very difficult to come out to an opposite sex spouse, as they feel very betrayed.

August is Almost Here!

Where has summer gone? I am beginning work on programs re: lgbt anti-bullying campaigns and programs. This applies to me as a school counselor and a counselor. Too many young students are taking their own lives because they do not belong. I am loving how much more accepted being gay is in the media - more people are open about acceptance, including the gay marriages - love New York. Illinois added Civil Unions. Progress. There is the Program "It Gets Better." which I have seen on tv, etc. with videos by famous people, etc. So keep your eyes open and ask what can you do. I do donate money to gay causes as I feel they are trying to eliminate discrimination. I am doing this on facebook, blogs, etc. and a website. So who knows. The more we get the word out. I've heard terrible things on the tea partiers re: gay people, marriage, etc. So, vote, write to your congressmen, senators, do not be idle.
Later, Happy end of summer.

Spread the Positive Gay Energy!

Hey, folks, what is going on in your world. I've continued to meet women who have had the discovery of their preference for women later in life. I do enjoy working with that clientele as they have often been through a lot in life and have done some self-searching. There is the element of fear of telling everyone that they are gay after living their lives as straight people and some feelings of betrayal because of that. I know I have a close friend that felt somewhat betrayed because I hadn't been honest with her. I was as honest as I could be with what I knew at the time. Would it have been okay to say " I think I might be gay but I don't know." would that have helped her. i don't think so. And I am the kind of person who needs some affirmation of truth before saying something to others. A personality choice.
Do you know women in your life who have had the coming out experience later in life?
I haven't had any friends lately with that discovery, but clients, yes. Of course, this may become less relevant as more young people feel the freedom to say they are gay in high school settings and/or home settings. I know many teens have felt comfortable with that, but then there is the issue with bullying of those children.This is an issue that I have chosen to take on as a school counselor and a therapist and an lgbt individual. We all can do what we can. Again, the more people who know gay people, the more acceptance grows. As in gay marriage - many are more comfortable with the idea than 5 years ago.

Lots of Good News!

Yes, New York. Yes, Illinois. Gay marriage in New York through the congress and governor. Gay commitment ceremonies in Illinois through the same process. Things are good. i know there are still states saying no to marriage - defining it as "between a man and a woman." but there's hope. I would love to see California gain back their rights and find Prop.8 as illegal. Did you know 2 of those lawyers against prop.8 are republicans who believe that prop.8 is legalized discrimination against a class of people, and that is NOT legal. Good for them. Yes, no class of people should be discriminated against. Washington, DC, Massachusetts (#1 on the list), Iowa, Illinois,
New York, - Yay!. I think there's more - I'll have to check the list. Tell your friends and don't take it for granted. Keep up the fight for rights. It's like feminism - the younger generation takes it for granted. But now planned parenthood and birth control is being de-funded in Republican governor states and is being attacked in other ways.
More to follow. I've decided one thing I can do is work on my blog to keep putting the energy out there.

Missing My People!!

Well, what's new in your world? I am missing the gay and lesbian life. I don't seem to have too many experiences in that world lately and I find that it is important to our identity. But how to find it. I have visited places in the past that have helped with that situation. Gay Pride events, Provincetown, San Francisco, etc. So I am now feeling the need. I have access to media, etc. and receive emails about current events, but that is different than being present and feeling at home with the lesbian population. Does anyone else have that experience. This is not the first time since I've felt that, but the first time recently. But June does bring Gay Pride events and we have a women's music fest nearby. I need to get them on my calendar. Even though sports events were on every tv. Good for them!!