It took too long for our Pride Community to recognize the contribution of our Trans Sisters to the fight for equality.  Recently, the new installment of Tales of the City paid homage to the historic riots at Compton's Cafeteria in San Francisco.  The article in the Guardian is a more in-depth look at what we owe to so many brave women who fought to protect each other and for everyone in the Pride Community.  Take a look at the link below!
​https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jun/21/stonewall-san-francisco-riot-tenderloin-neighborhood-trans-women?CMP=share_btn_fb&fbclid=IwAR0j6xVqu4Vf6vfxG99IEg0QgrdwfK8SIpcMGsL-607p_-O77_vDMJfUEuY

Loving our children for who they are is the most precious gift we can give them.  This short film captures that gift with all of its angst and all of its beauty.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-real-thing-transgender-film_us_5bef4438e4b07573881e935d?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063&utm_source=main_fb&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=hp_fb_pages&fbclid=IwAR0i3jJfGCmQyTPJOPACNh0jsSw6N_sGtbusVRuVq0Mru_euCLUa_89pV2w

Confronting opposition at home when we come out on the LGBTQ spectrum can be tense and unhappy.  This is especially true with children and teens who still live with conservative family at home.  It can also feel incredibly unsafe.  Boy Erased faces this complex issue.  The interview referenced below is a great read.  The interview is with Gerrard Conley who wrote Boy Erased: A Memoir, based on his own experience.  Joel Edgerton, director of Boy Erased, participates as well.  Take a look!

https://consequenceofsound.net/2018/11/interview-joel-edgerton-garrard-conley-boy-erased/

Jeff Levy does a terrific job of profiling a client and client's wife who find themselves caught in this difficulty.  He captures the emotional turmoil of both parties in the marriage.  Finally, we are able to see one of an infinite number of ways such issues may be addressed and resolved.

https://www.psychotherapynetworker.org/blog/details/1140/the-gay-man-in-the-straight-marriage#Comments

I was looking around for a picture to replace the generic one on this page.  I came across this one of our girl, Mina.  There she was grinning at us when she was about two years old.  I began to think about Waterloo Counseling where I presently work. 

We are a pup based center.  Several of the therapists have dogs who accompany their people to work.  It is heartwarming to see how many clients and staff respond to the "kids."  Sometimes the pups are greeted before the staff.  One therapist notes clients who are able to get past paralyzing anxiety when they have a pup sitting by them on the couch.  The conversation goes on while the client is giving the pup tummy rubs.  Clients' anxiety is quelled for a bit (the pup is very content) while barriers to feelings and insight are knocked down. 

Sometimes, just for a moment, the world does not seem so formidable.

My first post as my novice brain works to build a blog!  This blog is an adjunct to my website.  The purpose of this blog is to promote ideas and discussion about various aspects of mental health.  I invite everyone who is interested to read and, perhaps, comment on the posts left here.  As always, respectful discussion is encouraged.  This space is designed to be a safe space to share and talk about difficult subjects.  Let's remember, though, it is a public space.  Sharing of personal issues is strictly voluntarily.

So now, let's get rollin'!