This paper discusses possible roles of a counselor in affirming a client's lesbianism. In 1983, it was legal to be a lesbian in only 26 states. Of 55 other countries on which statistics were available, lesbianism was legal in 18 countries. The prevailing view on lesbianism by mental health professionals today seems to be one of cautious…

Notes that clinical psychological research has explored relevant cultural variables and their effects on mental health and treatment of ethnic minority group members. Reviews literature pertinent to the cultural proscriptions of several ethnic minority groups and their relevance to mental health issues and treatment of gay and lesbian members.…

Investigates risk factors associated with internalizing and externalizing problems among 169 gay, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents. Data were gathered on individual, family, and community risk factors and youths' mental health and behavioral functioning. Results suggest that adolescents should be carefully assessed for concerns related and not…

Notes little empirical research exists on mental health issues of lesbians/gays. Contends that whether researchers choose to define sexual orientation by sexual behavior, self-definition, or membership in lesbian and gay community groups will impact results. Sees mental health research that includes lesbians, gays, and heterosexuals allowing…

The intergenerational family therapy method of genogram construction may be a useful technique for increasing levels of differentiation in clients with a lesbian sexual orientation. Provides a description, rationale, and illustration of how genogram construction may be used by family counselors to treat lesbian clients. (JBJ)

Reviews the evolution of research over the past 25 years on sexual orientation and its effects on human development, concluding that gay and lesbian interests and behavior appear to result from a complex interplay of genetic, prenatal, and environmental influences. Notes that gender identity develops early, especially for males, and is difficult…

Study examines victimization during high school based on sexual orientation of 350 lesbian, gay, or bisexual youths. Over half reported verbal abuse in high school because of their sexual orientation, and 11% said they had been physically assaulted. Youths' current mental health symptoms, especially traumatic stress reactions, were associated with…

Compared effects of a training workshop on mental health professionals' (N=21) attitudes toward homosexuality and counseling behavior with effects of no intervention on comparison counselor trainee college students (N=31). Found treated subjects improved significantly more than comparison subjects on all measures of homosexual/lesbian counseling…

Studied 165 lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths, 15 to 21 years old, to determine the impact of verbal abuse, threat of attacks, and assault on their mental health. Found a direct effect of victimization on mental health, whereas family support and self-acceptance in concert mediated this victimization and mental health relation. (MDM)

The issues of this quarterly publication and year end supplement contain professional articles on topics that concern at risk youth and emphasize preventive measures. Number 1 highlights the importance of mentoring programs for at-risk youth. Discussions on mentoring for special groups such as gifted adolescents and lesbian and gay youth are…

Evaluates the methodology and conclusions reached in the 12 research articles in this issue as they pertain to 3 questions: (1) is homosexuality a choice?; (2) what psychological risks are unique to the mental health and well-being of lesbian and gay youths?; and (3) what are the effects of being raised by homosexual parents? (MDM)

Reviews developmental models for understanding adolescence as they might be applied to emerging sexuality and the challenges and risks that may be associated with different sexual orientations and identities. Models have been identified as: cumulative events or simultaneous change, accentuation, or trajectory models. Models have been useful in…

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered youth are largely unsupported by health service providers, educators, and parents. Problems facing these youth, especially feelings of being isolated and invisible, are far greater than expected. Discrimination and prejudice stemming from a lack of accurate information is the norm, although small pockets…

The sixteen chapters in this volume were selected from advocacy theme papers written by members of the American Counseling Association. They examine the role of the counselor as advocate for different groups of people, as follows: (1) "Developing a Common Language and Framework for Understanding Advocacy in Counseling," (R. L. Toporek);…