Urges that articles in special issue on counseling lesbians and gay men be read with caution. Notes that images presented of clients and their problems fit well with homophobic stereotypes of emotionally disturbed homosexual that are still prevalent and widely held by psychologists. Emphasizes the need for counselors to receive training in working…

Responds to previous four articles on counseling lesbians and gay men. Commends the authors for providing an excellent overview of the key issues in counseling lesbians and gay men. Sees gay/lesbian affirmative psychology in its early stages of evolution, with the articles reviewed as links in the chain of progress. (NB)

Commends previous four articles on counseling lesbians and gay men for explaining practical and theoretical concerns. Notes that much counseling of this population would be unnecessary if broader societal views of homosexual orientation were more positive. Notes importance of understanding history of lesbian and gay civil rights movement;…

States that the literature to date has broken the silence on lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) issues and has affirmed the field of psychology as being affirmative toward these issues. Proposes that research should move toward a greater understanding of LGB affirmative professional training by focusing on training from theoretical and empirical…

A rejoinder to criticism of earlier articles on lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) issues in regard to affirmative counselor training. Discusses the role mentoring has played in the authors' professional development. Offers four suggestions for including the study of bisexuality in LGB research. (MKA)

Asserts that most gay young people grow up in a culture where social forces preclude healthy growth. Looks at the attitudes that define this culture, and challenges families, youth-serving agencies, and communities to provide gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth with the love, protection, and support that they deserve. (JOW)

Eighteen stereotypes that affect gay, lesbian, and bisexual clients are listed. Each stereotype is addressed in terms of the issues and questions raised for couple and family counseling. (Author)

The authors discuss parenting as a normative developmental issue for gay and lesbian individuals. Issues and choices that affect decisions concerning parenting, implications for counselors, and suggestions for research are discussed. (Contains 53 references.) (Author)

This paper analyzes the textual data produced by both the participants and the interpreter in George W. Henry's two-volume monograph, "Sex Variants" (1941), a study of homosexuality based on a sample of 80 socially well-adjusted homosexuals from New York City's lesbian and gay community. It is stated that the Henry volumes provide a rich…

This paper discusses the importance and dangers of causal theories of sexual orientation, noting that, in recent years, the illness model of homosexuality has been thoroughly discredited and replaced with a variety of gay and lesbian affirmative constructs which explore the effects of a disparaging and hostile society on the development and…

Explores heterosexist bias in seven widely used assessment instruments. Focuses on bias that is observable in the instruments themselves and in the ancillary materials. Describes three types of bias, how these biases manifest in various instruments, and makes recommendations for mental health practitioners and for professionals who develop…

Comments on an article that explored heterosexist bias in seven widely used assessment instruments. Raises concerns about how the article defined homophobia and heterosexism, and advocates a cautious approach to decreasing heterosexist and homophobic bias in assessment, which includes gathering assessment data. (RJM)

Analyzes the issues and standards facing mental health counselors when working with lesbians and gay men who have substance abuse problems. Explores some of the major factors that contribute to substance abuse problems in the gay community are explored. Guidelines regarding legal protections for this population are provided. (Contains 64…

Surveys family members of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals regarding the role of religion in acceptance of their family member and how they reconciled any conflicts between religious beliefs and family member's sexual orientation. The most commonly identified theme was believing that the unconditional love associated with God extended…

Examined how parents' attitudes toward partner and how lesbianism affected relationships with partners in lesbians (N=20) who were part of couple relationship. Results revealed that adverse consequences of parental disapproval were overshadowed by benefits derived from decision to affirm one's lesbian identity and to acknowledge nature of the…