The titles of the reactions to this major contribution alone set the stage for further exploration of the issues regarding the hopes and dreams of same-sex attracted (SSA) clients in religious conflict and their therapists, issues of choice, and whether or not it is possible - or even appropriate - to depolarize the current debate (Gonsiorek,…

Identifies and discusses six challenges involving the incorporation of sexual orientation issues into the classroom: lack of student exposure to accurate information; selecting a lecture topic; attitudes of intolerance among students; avoiding generalizations; making the topic of sexual orientation relevant to the lives of students; and instructor…

Schools are increasingly expected to address the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students. However, the controversial nature of sexual orientation programs and policies makes this a politically sensitive undertaking. This empirical study analyzes the extent to which public school districts across the United States have implemented…

Objective: This article systematically reviews evidence for interventions that change attitudes toward homosexuals. Method: In all, 17 empirical studies using college and/or university student samples and interventions intended to improve heterosexuals' attitudes toward lesbian, gay, or bisexual individuals are reviewed. Characteristics of the…

Examines current research on publicly communicating one's sexual orientation and sexual identity formation models within the two prevalent theoretical orientations: essentialism and social constructionism. Aspects of both theories find support in the empirical literature reviewed. The discovery process is discussed and three coming-out audiences…

A counselor training seminar on sexual orientation is presented in this article. The seminar incorporated popular songs, readings, and class discussion to increase awareness of sexual identity development, stereotypes, and counseling interventions for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) clients. Results of evaluations suggest that the seminar had a…

Youths who question their affectional orientation are increasingly identified as a group with needs for support. This article reviews definitions of sexual orientation, identity, and questioning youths and suggests implications these have for youths and programs. Makes recommendations for school programs that support the alliances among youths…

This article summarizes the theoretical and treatment literature in the area of gender atypical youth. A social constructionist perspective is provided as a lens through which the school psychologist may view the gender-nonconforming child in an effort to de-pathologize some aspects of gender atypicality and avoid the automatic confabulation of…

In response to the documented incidences of homophobia in practitioners, advocates a more radicalized approach to counselor training titled Queer Theory. This approach forces individuals to rethink binary categories of "heterosexual,""homosexual,""male," and "female," and to accommodate the view of sexual…

Applies the concept of the Ethnocultural Assessment to the areas of sexual orientation. Offers a model for assessing how gay and lesbian clients have integrated their sexual orientation into their lives, a means for counselors to assess their own status with respect to working with this population, and a useful tool for training graduate students.…

This paper presents an analysis of the past decade (1997-2007) of research conducted in the areas of bullying and harassment in secondary schools. The author presents trends in the research as well as addresses the significant gaps left in a field that is heavily influenced by one school thought. By applying a critical feminist lens to this body…

Nontraditional gender identity and expression have been ignored or pathologized in most school, agency, and family counseling settings. Transgenderist oppression is based on ignorance and fear of difference. Suggestions are given for counseling and advocacy using transgendered and gender-variant persons' strengths as a challenge to pathology-based…

A review of LGBT identity development models reveals fluidity, complexity, and contradictions. (Contains 1 table.)

Twenty-six empirical studies of collaboration among teaching teams comprised of general and special educators were reviewed to determine the impact of ethnocultural diversity, gender diversity, sexual orientation diversity, and disability status diversity on collaborative teaming. Only 1 (4%) of the 26 studies acknowledged that ethnocultural and…

This article provides a critical account of conducting focus groups with gay and lesbian youth. Drawing on the insights of queer theory it attempts to reframe issues around sexual diversity by examining the heteronormalizing processes at work during these focus groups. This analysis is undertaken through a "study of the limits" of the…