#- Marriage Counseling for LGBT Couples

[charile0]

Comprehensive Mental Health Support: LGBT Counselling and Specialized Therapy Services in Dublin, Ireland

Dublin, Ireland, offers an inclusive and supportive environment for individuals and couples seeking mental health care tailored to their unique needs. Whether you're searching for LGBT counselling in Ireland, gay couples counseling, or specialized LGBT marriage counseling, expert therapists in Dublin provide a safe and affirming space to explore your concerns.

For those dealing with identity-related challenges, services like gender dysphoria treatment in Dublin and LGBT psychotherapy in Dublin offer compassionate guidance. Additionally, specialized therapy for personality disorders counselling in Dublin and psychoanalytic psychotherapy helps clients navigate deep-rooted issues effectively.

Families can also benefit from child psychology services, addressing developmental or emotional concerns.

With a focus on inclusivity, expertise, and care, Dublin’s mental health professionals are dedicated to providing tailored support, ensuring everyone, regardless of identity or background, receives the help they need to thrive.

[johntaylor0706]

Supporting LGBT Individuals Through Therapy: Addressing Unique Mental Health Challenges ?

In recent years, there has been an increasing awareness of the unique mental health challenges faced by LGBT individuals. These challenges often stem from societal pressures, discrimination, and the struggle for acceptance. For many, the journey towards mental well-being involves seeking professional help through LGBT Psychotherapy Dublin, LGBT Counselling Ireland, and other specialized services. This blog explores the importance of supporting LGBT individuals through therapy and the role that therapists play in addressing these unique mental health challenges.

Understanding the Mental Health Challenges Faced by LGBT Individuals

LGBT individuals often face a myriad of mental health challenges that are specific to their experiences. These challenges can include anxiety, depression, identity struggles, and the impacts of societal stigma and discrimination. The pressure to conform to societal norms, coupled with the fear of rejection from family, friends, and the broader community, can lead to significant emotional distress. These challenges are often compounded by the lack of understanding or acceptance from those around them, making the role of therapy even more critical.

One of the most common mental health issues faced by LGBT individuals is anxiety. This can manifest in various forms, including social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic attacks. The constant fear of being judged or rejected for one’s sexual orientation or gender identity can lead to chronic stress, which, if left unaddressed, can have severe consequences on an individual’s overall well-being.

Depression is another prevalent issue within the LGBT community. The feelings of isolation, loneliness, and hopelessness that often accompany the struggle for acceptance can lead to persistent depressive symptoms. In more severe cases, these feelings can result in suicidal ideation, making it imperative for LGBT individuals to have access to supportive and affirming mental health services.

The Role of Therapy in Supporting LGBT Individuals

Therapy plays a crucial role in helping LGBT individuals navigate these challenges. By providing a safe and non-judgmental space, therapists can help individuals explore their identity, understand their emotions, and develop coping strategies to manage the stress and anxiety that often accompany their experiences. LGBT Psychotherapy Dublin is one such service that offers specialized support to LGBT individuals in the Dublin area, focusing on their unique needs and challenges.

LGBT Counselling Ireland is another vital resource, offering support across the country. This type of counselling is designed to address the specific mental health issues faced by LGBT individuals, such as internalized homophobia, coming out, and dealing with discrimination. Counsellors who specialize in LGBT issues are trained to understand the complexities of these experiences and can provide tailored support to help individuals navigate their challenges.

Relationship Counselling Dublin and Couples Counselling Dublin are also essential services for LGBT individuals and couples. Relationships within the LGBT community can face additional stressors, such as societal pressure, family rejection, and internalized negative beliefs. Therapy can help couples work through these issues, strengthen their relationship, and foster a deeper understanding and acceptance of each other’s identities.

Addressing Unique Challenges Through LGBT Marriage Counseling

For many LGBT couples, marriage brings its own set of challenges. While marriage equality has been a significant step forward, LGBT couples often face unique issues that heterosexual couples may not encounter. LGBT Marriage Counseling is specifically designed to address these challenges, helping couples navigate the complexities of married life in a world that may not always be accepting of their relationship.

This type of counseling can help couples work through issues such as family rejection, societal discrimination, and the internalized negative beliefs that can arise from growing up in a heteronormative society. By providing a safe and supportive environment, therapists can help couples strengthen their relationship, improve communication, and build a strong foundation for their marriage.

The Importance of Child Psychology Services for LGBT Youth

LGBT youth are particularly vulnerable to mental health challenges, often facing bullying, rejection, and discrimination from a young age. Child Psychology Service plays a crucial role in supporting these young individuals, helping them navigate the complexities of their identity and the challenges they may face.

Therapists who specialize in child psychology can provide a safe space for LGBT youth to explore their feelings, develop a strong sense of self, and learn coping strategies to manage the stress and anxiety that often accompany their experiences. By providing early intervention, therapists can help prevent the development of more severe mental health issues later in life and support LGBT youth in building a healthy and positive self-image.

The Role of Community and Family Support in LGBT Mental Health

While therapy is a critical component of supporting LGBT individuals, community and family support also play a significant role in their mental health and well-being. Acceptance from family members, friends, and the broader community can significantly reduce the mental health challenges faced by LGBT individuals.

For many, the process of coming out can be one of the most challenging experiences of their lives. The fear of rejection, judgment, and discrimination can lead to significant emotional distress. However, when individuals are met with acceptance and support, it can have a profound positive impact on their mental health.

Families play a crucial role in this process, and LGBT Counselling Ireland offers services to help families understand and support their LGBT loved ones. Family therapy can be an invaluable resource for families who are struggling to come to terms with their loved one’s identity. By working with a trained therapist, families can learn to communicate more effectively, resolve conflicts, and develop a deeper understanding and acceptance of their loved one’s identity.

In addition to family support, community support is also essential for LGBT individuals. Being part of a supportive and accepting community can provide a sense of belonging and reduce the feelings of isolation and loneliness that many LGBT individuals experience. Community organizations, support groups, and social networks can offer a valuable source of connection and support for LGBT individuals.

The Benefits of Online Therapy for LGBT Individuals

In today’s digital age, online therapy has become an increasingly popular option for those seeking mental health support. For LGBT individuals, Psychologist Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Online offers a convenient and accessible way to receive the support they need from the comfort of their own home.

Online therapy can be particularly beneficial for individuals who may feel uncomfortable seeking support in person due to the fear of discrimination or judgment. It also offers a level of flexibility that traditional therapy may not, allowing individuals to access support at times that are convenient for them.

Psychologist Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Consultant services are available online, providing specialized support for LGBT individuals who may be struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. By working with a trained therapist, individuals can learn to manage their symptoms, develop coping strategies, and work towards a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Conclusion

Supporting LGBT individuals through therapy is crucial in addressing the unique mental health challenges they face. Whether it’s through LGBT Psychotherapy Dublin, LGBT Counselling Ireland, or other specialized services, therapy provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals to explore their identity, manage their emotions, and develop coping strategies to navigate the challenges they may encounter.

By offering tailored support through services like LGBT Marriage Counseling, Child Psychology Service, and Relationship Counselling Dublin, therapists play a vital role in helping LGBT individuals and couples build strong, healthy, and fulfilling relationships. Additionally, Couples Counselling Dublin is essential for navigating the complexities of relationships within the LGBT community, helping couples strengthen their bond and overcome challenges together.

For those seeking support, services like Psychologist Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Online and Psychologist Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Consultant offer accessible and convenient options for receiving the care they need. By providing early intervention and ongoing support, therapy can help LGBT individuals lead healthier, happier lives, and build a strong foundation for their mental well-being.

For more information on the services available to support LGBT individuals in Ireland, visit City Therapy to explore a range of therapy options tailored to your needs.

[davekat-sucks]

I don't really know where else to post this but I'm really shaken up about it and confused. I get the feeling this is an unpopular thing to say but I question it. The us gov was funding a social reengineering program which only came to my attention because it was defunded recently. how much of culture and pop culture has this affected over the years? I'm not super into elon (I think he's smart but does stupid shit) and I think naming a department after a old and bad meme (DOGE) is ultimately disrespectful, but cutting funds to see where the tax money that the fed gov is spending is something everyone in america should be invested in. tax money that should go into improving america (like rebuilding destoryed homes) but that money is going into making plays in Ireland about trans people? how much of western media has been meddled with? how much of the internet? why? what is the intent? It's also frustrating that many people refuse to question this because they're in favor of it. A "social engineering program" actually existed in this country in our live times. if I'm being externally manipulated, I'm gonna question it. The fact that a lot of other left leaning people refuse to question things like this is what fills me with fear. Though, the republicans make me anxious too. If the democrats don't shape up, no one will be able to compete against the republicans. Right now and I mean RIGHT NOW! "Tennessee lawmakers are considering a bill to establish covenant marriages, which would require couples to undergo premarital counseling and accept more restrictive grounds for divorce." And that bill is recognizing that marriage is between only a man and woman. We're starting to going back to the Obama era when gay people couldn't get official marriages. Women may actually have a harder time getting divorced in the future to under laws like this. But the average american is going to ignore that because the left has done a terrible job at activism. The left has exadurated every issue about the LGBT. It's the boy who cried wolf but what makes it worse is they won't accept they are being used. What I think may have happened is the american goverment was afriad of social media spreading information to youthful passionate people who do want to make a difference, so they manipulated people to really fight to the death on issues that some people will never accept so they always have a fight with average people so these passionate activists won't question their goverment. And damn it, if that was the play it worked for a while but now I fear that gay marriage might actually be undone. Fuck. Activists pushed so hard they might actually ruin my future. I'm kinda mad that people that should be helping us destoryed our rep.

Even if the bad activists were a small group in itself, they are the most outwardly vocal that gets everyone's attention and people assume the worst. Some have no choice but to cave in to those guys in order to shut them up, not realizing they can never please them in the end. Dead Internet Theory is not much a theory if it is hard to tell what interactions or information is trusted. Everything going on right now is crazy and I just want to survive while I can and enjoy the things I like.

[mywingsareonwheels]

Modern technology/works/understanding/etc. I'd like to give "Endeavour" characters...

Morse: noise-cancelling headphones, an mp3 player with a huge amount of opera on it, non-alcoholic real ales (St Peter's Without, the alcohol-free Doom Bar, etc.), a subscription to medici.tv, awareness of Joyce DiDonato's voice. Shadi Bartsch's translation of The Aeneid. Awareness of ADHD and autism as Relevant To Him and some suitable online community. Also some therapy but that goes without saying...

Fred Thursday: Fred. <3 awareness of PTSD and C-PTSD as A Thing and both being relevant in his case (from the war & work and his childhood respectively) even more therapy than Morse needs. All those youtube channels with 24/7 livestreams of various wildlife. The complete works of Terry Pratchett. I'm almost tempted to say fandom spaces because the gentler of them might actually appeal to him a lot.

Max Debryn: more recent medical knowledge. Modern queer community including the more awesome online bits. The work of recently rediscovered composers such as Barbara Strozzi and Joseph Bologne. Possibly Carol Ann Duffy's poetry. Elly Griffiths' "Ruth Galloway" novels if he fancies a busman's holiday read. ;-) Other than that I think he has more to teach us than the other way around. :-)

Peter Jakes: see Fred re: PTSD and C-PTSD awareness and a huge amount of therapy. I'm tempted to add at least the option of more recent help with giving up smoking given a lot more is understood these days. A Netflix subscription and an excellent gaming system. Instant messenger things so he can keep in touch with Oxford friends while in the US.

Joan Thursday: an environment in which it's more usual for women to not give up their jobs on marriage (or not get married at all). A lot of more recent folk rock, singer-songwriter, pop, and indie music might hit the spot for her to add to what she already loves. Yet more therapy. An awesome community of intersectional feminists. The complete works of bell hooks.

Win Thursday: oh Win. Therapy, the Open University. Really good couples therapy with Fred because they clearly love each other so much but *boy* do they fuck up towards each other (mostly him, but not only him). Instant messenger for better keeping in touch with everyone. An air fryer.

Sam Thursday: more therapy, and addiction help. Anger management help. Oh bless him. <3

Reginald Bright: grief counselling, instant messenger, Abir Mukherjee's detective novels, online ordering of Indian groceries, places online to put his art and get it fully admired, and then instant messenger once he moves back to India.

Jim Strange: honestly? he's the only one who seems to weirdly thrive in the time he lives. But I *would* like to throw intersectional feminist, LGBT+ and anti-racism literature at him to help avoid his less admirable moments. And actually some online community (fandom even?) so he has more people to bond with that aren't at the Lodge or at work...

[pvdpsychological]

LGBT Couples Counseling in Providence

For LGBT couples, counseling often goes beyond the scope of “traditional” couples therapy. Here’s everything you need to know.

Finding a couples counselor who understands the unique needs of a gay or lesbian relationship can be challenging. Many marriage difficulties are universal, but there are some unique features of same-sex relationships that require LGBT couples counseling.

[therapyappointment1]

The Psych Therapy Group

Website: http://www.therapyappointment.org

Address:

828 Davis St, Ste 213, Evanston, Illinois, 60201

1111 Lincoln Rd, Ste 702, Miami Beach, FL 33139

The Psych Therapy Group, with physical presences in Evanston, Illinois, and Miami Beach, Florida, offers a blend of in-person and telehealth psychological services. Catering to various demographics, the team of seasoned psychologists and therapists provides a safe, nonjudgmental, and collaborative environment, addressing a myriad of mental health concerns. The group emphasizes a personalized approach, integrating various therapeutic techniques to meet individual needs and goals. They provide services to the LGBTQ+ community and are dedicated to fighting stigma and stereotypes within and beyond the queer community.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoPsych/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChiPsychTherapy

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chicago-psych-therapy-group/

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[explorecanvas]

Navyug Degree College, Lucknow

[oahucounselingandwellness-blog]

Teletherapy

We are changing the way therapy can be delivered! Oahu Counseling and Wellness Center provides you the support you need through a live video connection. Our teletherapy sessions remain face-to-face, intimate, convenient, and flexible to fit your schedule. What’s great about this service is the opportunity for you to be comfortable be in your space and express how you feel.  Contact us at Oahu Counseling and Wellness Center to schedule a virtual teletherapy session today!

https://www.couplescounselingkapolei.com/teletherapy

[longbeachtherapy]

Licensed Therapist In Long Beach giving tips for success.

[hellomynameisbisexual]

1 Accept your husband for who he is. Your husband has the same qualities that you fell in love with, and his bisexuality is another quality that you may have recently learned about. It also defines who he is. As your partner, he needs your love and support, and your relationship will remain strong if you can accept him for who he is.

2 Learn about bisexuality. Knowing more about bisexuality will help you understand your partner. There is no single model for bisexuality, since each individual is different in their emotions and feelings. A bisexual person is sexually attracted to two genders. This individual likely also loves individuals first, often with less attention to specific gender. There are a lot of myths about bisexuality, which can be harmful to your relationship if you don’t learn how these myths are just that – myths. Your relationship will strengthen if you understand the true nature of your partner’s feelings. Some of these myths are:

Myth: A person is either gay or straight, not both.

Humans are complex and can have very different sexual orientations, including heterosexual (attracted to the opposite gender), homosexual (attracted to the same gender), bisexual (attracted to two or more genders), asexual (not attracted to any gender), pansexual (not limited in sexual choice), or skoliosexual (attraction to non-binary identified individuals).[1]

Myth: Bisexuals can’t be faithful.

People can choose to be monogamous. People's sexual orientation does not determine their ability or desire to be in a monogamous, faithful relationship. The couple decides what it means to be monogamous.

Myth: Bisexuals have more sexually transmitted diseases.

The rate of STDs does not correlate to someone's sexual orientation. Rather, it has to do with the individual’s care in protecting themselves from STDs.

3 Give your relationship a fresh start. Recognize that your relationship has entered into a new phase. If you want the marriage to succeed and continue, you need to be willing to make changes. Your husband is still the same person that you married, but now you know even more about his desires and feelings. Understand that you may need to start fresh, with new boundaries and new expectations about what marriage means for both of you.

4 Talk with your husband about what he wants. Your husband may have been struggling with his bisexuality for a long time. If he is just now telling you, he may have been trying to suppress his true feelings. He knows that you two trust and respect each other. He has taken a big step in being honest with you. Now you can take a big step by talking to him about what he wants. What does he want your marriage to be like? Does he want to have other partners? Does he want to remain monogamous?

1 Know that communicating about sexuality can be difficult. Both of you may find it difficult to have a conversation about sexuality. For your husband, this might be the first time he’s talked about his bisexuality. He may have been anxious and worried about you finding out, about keeping his feelings a secret, or about what other people will think. [2] As for you, you may undergo worries and anxieties of your own, including feelings of inadequacy, concern about your relationship, or concern for how your family might react.

Being patient and understanding with each other is the best starting place for a conversation. Know that you love each other and want each other to be happy.

2 Be open with each other. For your relationship to work, you need to communicate honestly with each other. Set aside time every day or every week when the two of you can talk without being interrupted. Talk about your concerns in an open yet supportive way.[3]

This might include asking if and when your husband is making connections with other partners. Being bisexual doesn’t mean that your husband will automatically cheat on you. But if he is going to be with other partners, you two should be open about that. Lies and deception are not a good foundation for any marriage.

3 Talk about where you stand on monogamy. When one partner is bisexual, the other partner may worry that the husband will be unfaithful. If your husband wants to be non-monogamous, and you agree to it, then support him in that.

Many bisexual partners are in long-term monogamous relationships. Determine what you want for your relationship

4 Set boundaries. Determine what you want in your relationship. This may involve setting some ground rules about other partners, or sexual activity that you’re both willing to participate in.[4] Are you okay with your husband being with one other partner, or are multiple partners okay? How much do you want to be involved?

5 Determine what you both want to share with family and friends. As you and your husband begin to understand life together in this new phase, you may choose to share some of this information with family and friends. If you have children, think about how you’ll talk with them about bisexuality.

Remember that when you “come out” to your children, have an ongoing conversation about it so that your kids can ask questions and understand your feelings. Be patient and give them time to process the information.[5]

1 Realize that you don’t need to make everything about sexuality. Your lives will still go on, with work pressures, commuting headaches, grocery shopping, and so on. Your everyday life will continue much as it had before your husband told you about his bisexuality.

2 Make sure other areas of your life are fun and interesting. Married life is about more than just sexual intimacy. Find hobbies and activities to do together. Travel together. Develop a fulfilling life together in many different ways.

3 Explore your own sexual desires. An open conversation about your partner’s sexuality and sexual desires is a chance to open up about your own sexual desires. Your husband is still attracted to you and wants you to feel free to explore what excites you.

Many partners have experienced a sexual awakening when they find out their husbands are bisexual. Their relationships have grown stronger and more satisfying.[6]

1 Visit an LGBT center for support. An LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) center is a place where you can get counseling and health information, as well as lists of LGBT-friendly businesses and community resources.

Find a local LGBT center by visiting the website for CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers.

2 See a mental health professional. A professional who specializes in relationships and sexuality may be able to help you understand your relationship and your partner’s feelings. You may be feeling anxiety or other emotions about your relationship, and it can help to have an outside perspective on what you’re feeling.

If you feel your relationship is in trouble, you might think about seeking couples counseling. There are therapists who specialize in the LGBT community.[7]

3 Talk with a trusted family member or friend. You may feel that your sex life in your marriage is a private matter, but it can help to get someone else’s perspective on things. Choose someone who will not be judgmental and who will be respectful and trustworthy.

[charile0]

LGBT Counseling and Therapy Services in Dublin

At the heart of Dublin, a wide range of professional therapy services are available for the LGBT community and those facing unique mental health challenges. LGBT counseling in Ireland provides a safe, supportive space for individuals and couples, helping them navigate the complexities of relationships, identity, and life transitions. LGBT marriage counseling and gay couples counseling offer specialized support for same-sex couples, fostering understanding and communication.

For those dealing with gender identity issues, gender dysphoria treatment in Dublin offers tailored care, while personality disorders counseling helps individuals manage and understand their emotions and behaviors. In addition, psychoanalytic counseling and psychotherapy in Dublin provide deeper insights into the unconscious mind to address long-standing emotional struggles. With child psychology services available, families can also access expert help for young ones facing mental health challenges. These professional services in Dublin offer a holistic approach to emotional well-being, ensuring all clients receive compassionate care.

[johntaylor0706]

Creating Safe Spaces: How Therapy Can Foster Acceptance and Inclusivity ?

In today’s society, the need for safe spaces where individuals can feel accepted and supported has never been greater. For members of the LGBT community, these safe spaces are essential in promoting mental well-being and providing a sense of belonging. Therapy plays a significant role in fostering acceptance and inclusivity by offering a confidential and non-judgmental environment where people can openly discuss their experiences, concerns, and emotions. In Ireland, services such as LGBT Counselling Ireland and LGBT Marriage Counseling are vital resources that help create these safe spaces.

The Importance of Safe Spaces in Therapy

For many individuals in the LGBT community, finding a place where they can speak openly about their identity without fear of judgment or discrimination can be challenging. Therapy offers a unique opportunity to create that safe space. In a therapeutic setting, the focus is on understanding, empathy, and support. This allows individuals to explore issues related to their gender identity, sexual orientation, relationships, and societal pressures in a positive and affirming environment.

By offering LGBT Counselling Ireland, therapists help clients navigate feelings of isolation, discrimination, or identity confusion. These therapy sessions empower individuals to embrace their authentic selves, reducing feelings of shame or self-doubt that often arise due to societal stigma.

Fostering Inclusivity through LGBT-Focused Therapy

One of the key benefits of LGBT-focused therapy is that it recognizes and respects the unique challenges faced by the LGBT community. Services like LGBT Marriage Counseling not only provide relationship support but also acknowledge the specific stressors that LGBT couples may encounter, such as legal challenges or family acceptance.

Inclusivity in therapy means providing tailored support that resonates with the individual’s experience. Whether it’s coping with coming out, dealing with family rejection, or navigating a same-sex relationship, the therapist helps individuals feel understood and respected. This promotes a deeper level of healing and encourages positive personal growth.

Building Acceptance in Therapy

Acceptance is at the core of any successful therapeutic process. For LGBT individuals, therapy can be a crucial step in learning to accept themselves fully and to understand that their identity is not something that needs to be “fixed” or changed. A therapist who specializes in LGBT Counselling Ireland can help clients build self-esteem, combat internalized homophobia, and develop coping strategies for dealing with external prejudice.

In particular, LGBT Marriage Counseling helps couples strengthen their relationship by promoting open communication and addressing any external pressures or biases that may be impacting their partnership. By fostering a sense of acceptance within the couple, therapy helps create a stable, loving environment where both partners feel valued and respected.

Conclusion

Therapy offers a powerful way to create safe, inclusive spaces for LGBT individuals to explore their identity, navigate challenges, and foster personal growth. Services like LGBT Counselling Ireland and LGBT Marriage Counseling provide tailored support that acknowledges the unique experiences of the LGBT community, promoting acceptance and understanding. For those seeking a supportive environment where they can feel truly accepted, therapy can be the first step toward healing and self-acceptance in Ireland.

[lordendsavior]

If any of you want to get to know the situation here a bit better, I compiled  a couple of sources:

a really comprehensive wikipedia entry on LGBT rights in Poland and on Recognition of same-sex unions in Poland

Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Poland covering the period of January to December 2019 and an overview by ILGA-Europe

Situation of LGBTA Persons in Poland. 2015-2016 REPORT

And here are some Polish organizations and donation links if you are able and willing to help:

Stowarzyszenie Miłość Nie Wyklucza / Love Does Not Exclude Association - a national non-governmental organization committed to introducing marriage equality in Poland (you can find information about them and make a donation here)

Kampania Przeciw Homofobii / Campaign Against Homophobia - an NGO involved in the organization of various activities like conferences, exhibitions, demonstrations, workshops, meetings with politicians, political lobbying, providing legal and psychological counselling, publications, and international human rights law and practice monitoring (you can donate here)

Lambda Warszawa Association - the oldest running Polish LGBT organisation, their activitiy include providing pschological support, HIV/AIDS and addictions prevention, cultural and social actions, anti-discrimination actions (you can donate here)

Grupa Stonewall / Stonewall Group - an LGBTQ+ organization whose work includes education, support, culture and integration, like providing free psychological support for LGBTQ+ people and their families (donations to their crisis fund)

Dziewuchy Dziewuchom Foundation - a foundation dedicated to spreading awareness on feminist issues (here’s their patronite webpage where you can become their ‘patron’ by offering a monthly donation)

#SEXEDpl foundation - an education platfrom dedicated to promoting sexual education through publications, media campaigns, etc. (you can donate here)

[nerdygaymormon]

what do you think about the new handbook?

In January 2016 I received a calling that gave me access to the Church’s Handbooks and I was surprised at the amount of specific things in there on which I had never considered the Church having an official position. I imagine a lot of people are having that experience this week.

I’m glad the Church made the Handbook available to everyone, it’s a move towards transparency. Before this, people were being held to standards or facing processes that only their leaders could access.

I appreciate that in some areas there’s better framework and clarity, but am sad that it often came in the form of being more restrictive or not in line with modern science.

I’m going to outline the changes and add a few comments. ’ll put my opinion about all of this at the end, so if that’s what you want to see, scroll to the bottom.

————————————————————— 

Miscellaneous

The Handbook covers a lot of information, so I’m certain in the days and weeks ahead more new things will be discovered. But for now, here’s some assorted policies.

Sacrament

We’re supposed to take the Sacrament with our right hands

The wording that young men are encouraged, but not required, to wear a white shirt and tie is gone. All males who pass the Sacrament are asked to be clean and well groomed.

For a long time, which hand to use has been considered a personal choice, and some associated special meaning by using their right hand.

In February 2019, Elder Oaks saw some youth take the Sacrament with the left hand and he gave a short lecture that went viral telling these kids they were wrong, and now it’s official policy in the Handbook.

Dress Standards

The Relief Society Presidency is to teach dress standards to the sisters so their appearance and clothing show reverence and respect at Church and at the temple.

These are adult women!!! They can’t figure this out for themselves? It mentions ostentatious jewelry and casual clothes without any examples of what this means. I’m afraid some leaders will enforce their personal opinions, such as pants are verboten.

Also this section included a comment about ostentatious jewelry. What is that? Having 2 earrings in 1 ear?

—————————————————————

Discipline

Disciplinary councils have been renamed “Membership Councils”

People no longer are disfellowshipped or excommunicated. They have “formal membership restrictions” or “withdrawal of membership”

Does away with the unequal disciplinary structure for adult men vs adult women.

Before, men who were endowed had a disciplinary council at the stake level. Everyone else had a disciplinary council held by their bishopric.

Now anyone who is endowed and likely to have their Church membership withdrawn will have a stake membership council. Everyone else has a ward membership council for serious sins & actions

At the ward level, membership councils still function the same (the bishopric holds a council with the person whose membership is at risk).

At the stake level, the council now is similar to the way it works at the ward level (the stake presidency meets, without the high council also being involved).

The individual’s bishops can sit in on the council. The individual can also choose for the Elders Quorum or Relief Society President to sit in on the council.

Same-sex marriage is no longer apostasy

Apostasy has been removed from a list of reasons to hold a membership council. Instead it is on a case-by-case basis.

The stake president can place informal membership restrictions on the person and the stake president counsels with the Area Presidency (which are Seventy) about anything more than that, such as a membership council

The language is softer but the results are the same.

I like that men & women are treated equally in this new system. It always struck me wrong that most men in the church automatically had a council of 15 men and women had 3 men.

The reversal of the 2015 Policy of Exclusion finally made it to the Handbook. 

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Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Same-Sex Attracted

Families & members should be sensitive, love and respectful of people who are gay, lesbian & bi

Sexual activity with someone of the same gender is on the same level as an unmarried sex.

Membership councils are optional in these cases, based on the leader’s discretion.

As long as an LGBTQ member is “striving” to live the law of chastity, they’re allowed to hold a calling and temple recommend

“Sexual cohabitation” used to be forbidden, now it’s “cohabitation”. So I guess gay people living together is a problem regardless of whether they have sex. I do know of a few couples who live together, but have given up sex in order to be temple worthy. I guess that’s no longer an option.

The mormonandgay website was done away with and some of the items moved to a new page titled “Same-Sex Attraction.”

Most of the links on this new page don’t work. I’m sure this will get fixed

Most of the “resources” from the old page aren’t on the new page.

The last 4 video stories of members from the former site are on the new site.

Credit for finally making this page available in languages other than English.

I wonder if it will still say it’s okay to identify using the terms gay, bi or lesbian.I know President Oaks prefers the phrase “same-sex attraction” and a lot of his influence is seen in the new Handbook changes. 

The best section of the previous site was a collection of 17 members who are gay, bi and lesbian (well, 2 of them are parents of gay kids). Hearing them tell their story in their own words was powerful. Most of them have asked for their video to be removed.

The only stories remaining are 2 people in a mixed-orientation marriage and 2 parents who have a gay son. Each of those 4 members now has multiple videos (Laurie, Laurie’s husband, Laurie’s bishop, Laurie’s friend). 

The experience of most LGB people in the Church is now absent from this page, which again confirms for me that this has been a site for leaders & family, not actual members who are bisexual, lesbian or gay.

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Transgender

Preferred names can be noted in your membership record and Church leaders are encouraged to use them.

People can also to ask others to use their chosen pronouns

Elective surgical or medical intervention (which I believe means hormone treatment) for the purpose of transitioning, and social transitioning will result in membership restrictions.

These restrictions include not getting to exercise the priesthood, receiving or using a temple recommend, and receiving some Church callings

Even if the hormone therapy is prescribed by a medical professional to ease gender dysphoria or reduce suicidal thoughts, membership restrictions will result

Transgender people who don’t transition can have Church callings & temple recommends

Gender is defined as “biological sex at birth.”

This is recorded on Church records and determines whether someone can receive the priesthood and how they experience the temple ordinances

Transgender people & their family are welcome to attend Sunday church meetings and social events

There is now a page for transgender people, just as there has been for LGB people

This whole section of the Handbook makes me sad because it reduces these members to being a mistake and they need to choose a side. Nevermind they were born this way and have complex lives, they need to look and act like a cishet member.

I’d love if the church leaders could show scriptural backing & the words of the Savior to justify their views on trans folks other than the Family Proclamation.

Credit to the Church for switching from “transsexual” to “transgender

While trans people are welcome to attend the 2nd hour of church, no guidance was given about if they can choose either Relief Society or Elders Quorum

It’s problematic to define gender being as your biological sex at birth. If gender is eternal, why is “at birth” needed? A doctor or nurse assigns a biological sex at birth by taking a look at the newborn’s external genitals. This is only 1 of 5 markers of gender. A doctor or a nurse is not God.

5 components of biological sex

external genitalia

inner reproductive anatomy

sex hormones

chromosomes

gonad differentiation (gonad secretions cause sex-specific patterns in many other tissues & the brain)

This section of the Handbook still speaks of gender as binary–you’re either male or female and trans. Genderfluid, nonbinary, or any acknowledgement of a spectrum doesn’t exist.

To say a trans person will face consequences for social transitioning is really troubling. What does “social transitioning” mean? Do pronouns count as “social transitioning?” Long or short hair? If people must dress according to gender stereotypes, then it seems like leadership is more concerned about the feelings of the 99 and not the health & well being of the 1.

Why is it only transgender members who have a ban on these surgeries? Lots of breast enhancements, reductions and mastectomies take place every month with not a whiff of interest by church leaders, but if it’s done to affirm one’s gender identity, then it’s forbidden, even if it’s life saving.

It did make me feel queasy to read that even if medical or surgical intervention is prescribed by medical professionals to deal with gender dysphoria or suicidal thoughts, too bad, we’re still going to punish you. What kind of monsters came up with this?

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Intersex, aka People Whose Sex isn’t Clear at Birth

The Handbook says the incident rate of intersex is extremely rare

Questions about membership records, priesthood ordination and temple ordinances for youth or adults who were born with sexual ambiguity should be directed to the Office of the First Presidency.

This is the first I’ve seen Intersex given their own section in the Handbook.

While policies about LGBT people are listed as “moral issues”, the section on intersex people is under “medical and health policies.” That’s a good sign, it means that the medical profession determines what is best, not a church leader.

I appreciate that church takes this out of the hands of local leadership. It’s a complex issue that untrained people shouldn’t get to have say over.

The Church assumes that surgical & medical intervention is needed for this group of people. Unfortunately it implies the default is to do so in infancy or early childhood when current best practices would be delaying, if possible, until the individual can weigh in on their body & identity. 

The idea that intersex is rare, well that depends on what they consider rare.

The rate could be as high as 2% of the population or as low as 1 in 2000.

If we think of that in terms of Church congregations, it suddenly seems not so rare.

In North America, a ward must have 300 members. If 1%-2% are intersex, that’s a couple people in each congregation.

If we go with the lowest rate of 1 in 2000, consider that in the US & Canada a stake requires a minimum of 3000 members. So 1 or 2 members per stake would be intersex.

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I think these changes show that the Church is willing to include queer people up to a point. We can feel & be the person we believe ourselves to be as long as we don’t actually act in a way that affirms who we are.

We are to be loved, respected and welcomed, however these homophobic and transphobic policies remain in place. Love & respect is more than smiling & being nice to someone.

The policies of the Church regarding queer people is out of line with science. As science continues to advance and confirm that gender identities and sexual orientations are real and biological and not changeable by will, the tension for the Church on these topics will continue to grow.

“The only clear line I draw these days is this: when my religion tries to come between me and my neighbor, I will choose my neighbor. Jesus never commanded me to love my religion.” -Rev. Barbara Brown Taylor

Considering Jesus admonishes us again and again to love each other and that we are all alike to God, I can only guess that Jesus wept. Again.

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Bad Kids as Psychology Professors

@elsie-writes and are having very specific niche headcanons right now about our academic fields, so fuck it I’m bandwagoning too!

Fabian is a 1000% sports psychologist. The combination of social skills, motivation, and physical aptitude are a perfect match for him. Sports psych only gets offered every couple of semesters, so he ends up teaching intro to psych and the psychology of learning a lot. He always finds a way to have his class outside at least once in the semester.

Riz is a forensic psychologist. Like Fabian, his specific course is only taught every couple of semesters, but he is able to sneak it into his cognitive psychology courses a lot of the time. Memory and it’s involvement in eyewitness testimony is one of the highlights of the semester because he can talk about some long done cases that he has actually gotten to work on. Gives a lot of reading assignments that you actually need to do to pass the class.

Kristen is technically a social psychologist, but her main interest is in human sex and sexaulity. She does a lot of work with the LGBT student union and her human sexulaity class is a hit every summer she gets to offer it. The few times she has gotten to teach it in person, it has always been filled to the brim and more than one sexual awakening has happened during it. Does not give exams, but instead give three medium sized papers in the semester instead.

Adaine is a neuropsychologist. Her neuroscience and biological behavior classes are some of the hardest in the university period. But Adaine is kind and knows that her material is hard. She has office hours every day, and even if it’s outside of hours and she’s in there, she will help at the drop of a hat. Many students cry over the difficulty of the material, but Adaine is always there to dry their tears and help them go over the chemical process of an action potential again.

Fig is a counseling psychologist who works in a variety of nontraditional therapies. Her family and marriage counseling class is really popular because of all the stories that Fig tells in it. She also gets to hold a music and art therapy class every couples of semesters that she loves. It’s always a small class- no more than 10- and it’s a blessing if you get in there. Her usual counseling classes are pretty interesting too. Fig practiced as a counselor for a long while. There’s nothing she hasn’t seen.

Gorgug, like Fig, is a counseling psychologist. Gorgug mostly works at the university counseling center, but has taught intro to psychology classes when the department was in a bind (usually online to prevent a confidentiality issue) . He really loves all of his kids, regardless of if they are students or clients. He’s a big softie and known for always having a stuffed animal and coloring supplies in his office.

NPCs: Aelwyn is a biology professor and she and Adaine get in many spats over the nuances between the two of their fields. Tracker is a professor in the sociology department, and she and Kristen first met by collaborating on a paper together. Ayda works in conjunction with Adaine and computer science in order to develop computer models of the brain and neural network. She and Fig first met at a conference on autism and after a long while became friends and eventually something more.

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Today Mrs. Leena Vig Visits Navyug Degree College, Lucknow