Minnesota's LGBTQ+ Mental Health Providers' Professional Network

Volume III, Issue 1


        

The Networker:
The MN LGBTQA Therapist eNewsletter

promoting LGBTQA mental health
5.11.10
                                                                                    Volume III, Issue 7
www.LGBTtherapists.org

LGBT Therapists logo

Welcome to our 50+ new members!

Upcoming Events of THE NETWORK:

(1) Spring Workshop: Friday, May 21 Noon - 145pm

"Are the Majority of Us Really Bi? Talking about the Bi Community" presented by William Burleson
Calling oneself bisexual sometimes means different things to different people, adding to the challenge for many to claim the identity as their own.  Yet, in my experience, the number one lament of bi people is the lack of a community. But there is a bi community, however small, nearly invisible, and not necessarily representative of most who call themselves bi. On May 21, we'll talk about bi culture, the need for community, and how you as a therapist can be of help.

William Burleson is the author of Bi America, Myths, Truths, and Struggles of an Invisible Community(Rutledge, 2005)  

When: Friday, May 21, 2010   12:00 to 145pm
Agenda:
Member announcements: 12:15 to 12:30
Presentation with question time: 12:30 to 1:45
Where: Nancy Baltins Room, in their lower level, at the Plymouth Congregational Church, corner of Franklin Avenue & LaSalle, Minneapolis.  
CEU form available.
Light snacks provided. Feel free to bring a bag lunch.
$15 members. $20 non-members. $10 students & elders
PLEASE RSVP to Dennis V Christian, LICSW., DCSW,  support@dennischristian.com

(2) Upcoming Membership Survey:
Watch for our online Network membership needs & wants survey. Within the next three weeks you will receive a short and yet, important online survey asking you to identify what you want from The Network. Please take the 5 to 10 minutes to complete and return it.  Doing so will be an important contribution to assessing the future goals of The Network.  We want to hear from you!

We could use your Help:
Is anyone out there willing to pick up snacks for the above CEU workshop on Friday, May 21? You will be reimbursed. It means stopping at your local grocery store and purchasing some snacks & bringing them to the workshop. More info available. Please contact Dennis by Wednesday, May 19 if you are willing to help: Dennis V Christian, LICSW., DCSW,  support@dennischristian.com   THANK YOU in advance!

Presentations, Workshops & Conferences:
 
The O of Eros: Evolving Your Orgasms
Workshop
Thursday, May 13, 2010
7:00pm - 9:00pm
The Smitten Kitten, Minneapolis
RSVP to The Smitten Kitten:  612-721-6088
Cost:  $15/person
Have you ever thought there could be more to your experience of orgasm? What if your orgasms could be more intense, longer lasting, or somehow more meaningful? This workshop with author Amy Cooper is for men and women alike who are looking to evolve their orgasms and discover new territory in their erotic landscape. Come with an open mind to learn how to bring more erotic pleasure into your life.

The 4th annual Minnesota Trans Health and Wellness Conference:
"Identifying Crossroads, Connecting Communities"
Friday, May 14 & Saturday, May 15. 
Registration (and check-in for pre-registrants) on Friday: Provider Day begins at 7:30 AM, and the opening session will start promptly at 8:00.  Dr. Lisa O'Connor's keynote address, "The Many Faces of Transition," will be from 11:00 AM to 12:00.  The last breakout session on Friday will end at 4:45.

Don't forget to come to our "Cross the 'T' Cabaret" from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM Friday evening in the Auditorium on the Metro State St Paul Campus.  The evening of song, dance, hip hop, puppets, top hats, and more promises to be a gala celebration of transgender lives. It's free and open to all, so bring your friends!

FREE:  Community day registration/check-in begins at 8:00 Saturday morning, followed by the first of five sessions of workshops at 9:00. Yosenio Lewis' keynote address "Health Care Victories for Trans People and What Still Needs to be Accomplished" will immediately follow lunch and is from 1:15-2:15.  The last workshop session will end at 6:00 PM. See our website for the workshop schedule and descriptions - we have 44 workshops this year on Saturday!

The conference location:
Metropolitan State University, St Paul
Campus, 700 E 7th St, St Paul, MN 55106.

The venue is accessible to those who use wheelchairs or cannot take stairs, professional child care is provided all day Saturday, and ASL interpreters will be available for the Cabaret and for the Saturday Keynote.

If you have any questions about the Conference, go to www.mntranshealth.org , where complete information on Provider Day, the Cabaret, and Community Day is available. If you have more questions, you can email us at mntranshealthconference@gmail.com or call us at 612-823-1152 and someone will call you back as soon as we are able.

If you are a community member who wants to schedule a free consultation for surgery, voice, electrolysis, or talk to a pharmacist about your medications, here is some important information for you:

All 10-15 minute consults are first come, first served.

Jeffrey Spiegel, M.D. (Facial Feminization Specialist Surgeon from
Boston) will take advance requests for appointments by phone for time
slots on Friday from 2:45-3:45 in Library 329, and for Saturday from
10:45-12:30 in Founders L117.  His contact information is
617-414-5058, info@drspiegel.com , www.drspiegel.com .  Starting Friday
morning, the way to sign up is on site at registration at the
Conference (and no longer by phone or email).

Dr. Toby Meltzer, M.D. (Gender Confirmation Surgeon for Chest,
Genital, Facial Feminization procedures from Scottsdale, Arizona),
will take advance requests for appointments by phone only for Friday
from 3:00-6:00 PM, and for Saturday from 9-10:30 or 1:30-3 in Library
218.  His contact information is 480-657-7006, www.tmeltzer.com .
Again starting Friday morning, sign up is at registration at the
Conference (and no longer by phone).

You may schedule appointments on site at the Conference starting when
registration opens for Loren Schechter, M.D. (Gender Confirmation
Surgeon from Chicago area, does Genital, Chest and Facial Feminization
procedures) on Friday only from 2:40-5:00 in Library 321, and Richard
Tholen, M.D. (Minneapolis Surgeon, does Chest and Facial Feminization
procedures) on Saturday only from 11-12 and 1-3:15 in St John's Room
L5.

Saturday is the only day for appointments with both Anita Kozan, PhD.,
CCC, Speech and Language Pathologist (timing from 1:15-2:15 and
2:45-3:45), and Diane Christofferson, CPE, LC, LE, Electrologist
(3:30-4:30). These may also be scheduled onsite at registration,
however, in order to qualify for a voice consult with Dr. Kozan you
must fiirst attend a voice workshop. At the end of each workshop,
names will be randomly chosen to fill the time slots.

If you would like to discuss your prescription medications with a
pharmacist on Saturday, please bring a list of your meds and the
dosages.

We're looking forward to seeing you at the conference!

Sincerely,
Minnesota Trans Health & Wellness Conference Planning Committee
mntranshealthconference@gmail.com
612-823-1152
www.mntranshealth.org

The Overlap of Internet, Sexual Health, and Substance Use Disorders
Join us on June 10 for a six hour intensive training:
-presented by Dr. Weston Edwards, PhD, LP.

This interactive workshop will address the overlap of sexual health issues and substance use disorders. Our experience at PRIDE Institute suggests that nearly 40 percent of our clients simultaneously struggle with sexual compulsivity and internet sexual compulsivity issues that trigger ongoing relapses with chemical use. The workshop will provide ways to conceptualize and treat the overlap to provide clients the opportunity to move forward in sexually healthy ways and maintain long-term recovery. Improvement in overall wellness and mental health will be addressed. A cognitive based treatment model in treating sexual compulsivity will be reviewed as a complement to a 12-step model of treating chemical addiction.

For more events, including free online trainings, visit our new website at www.pride-institute.com and click on Events!
Call 612-267-9371 with questions. Thank you.
Nicky Simon-Burton <nsimon@pride-institute.com >
Director of Community Relations and Marketing
PRIDE INSTITUTE
14400 Martin Drive, Eden Prairie, MN  55344
Cell: 612-267-9371
Office: (952) 934-7554, ext. 145
(800) 54-PRIDE
www.pride-institute.com
Celebrating more than 20 Years of Caring for Our Community: GLBT Mental Health & Chemical Dependency Treatment Services

UM GLBTA Summer Leadership Institute
Study Away in Chicago, New York, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia!
May 24 - June 11, 2010

The GLBTA Leadership Year concludes with a May Term Study Away opportunity, introducing students to GLBTA activism and organizing on a national level via intensive study and dialogue with GLBTA leaders in Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C.

Register now! Space is limited. If interested, register for GLBT 3610 Sec 1 (4 cr)/GWSS 5590 Sec 1 (3 cr) at OneStop, then contact Anne Phibbs, Program Director, to set up a mandatory meeting at phib0001@umn.edu or 612-599-8335. You may also contact Beng Chang at beng@umn.edu or 612-234-5060. Options are available for graduate students and students from other institutions.

For more information, visit the GLBTA Leadership Year webpage, or contact Anne or Beng.  Thank you!

 Yoga Workshop for Overachievers & Perfectionists
 with Rachel Allyn, Ph.D., L.P.  Clinical Psychologist & Certified Yoga Instructor
Sun May 16, 1-3pm | SLP Studio | $40 | Online Registration Available Calling all Type A personalities out there, this workshop is for you. Yoga teaches us to have self-acceptance and self-compassion. But how often do we really give that to ourselves? This workshop will blend yoga and breathing with psychology aimed to help you LET GO. Let go of your high standards, let go of unrealistic expectations, and let go of your constant mental "to-do list." This workshop is essential for those of you who feel you just don't have time for a yoga workshop! (Taught by a recovering perfectionist herself).
 www.DrRachelAllyn.com <http://www.DrRachelAllyn.com >
 www.yoga-psychotherapy.com <http://www.yoga-psychotherapy.com >
     
 Brain GymRelieve Anxiety ∞ Depression ∞ Stress
 A Window into Whole Brain Vision and Balance
 Double Doodle Play
 Therapists, Teachers, Artists, OTs, & Parents learn simple ways to improve a sense of balance and coordination.  Improve visual skills and creative expression.
 JULY 10th near Roseville or July 11th at the St. Paul JCC
 One day course - you choose the day
 Discover, Explore, Learn· Your own innate ability to draw and paint· New ways to connect with color, shape, and movement· The informative nature of the design process· New ways to journal your experiences· Simple things to do at home or in the classroom to encourage healthy visual skills· Reclaiming our ambidexterity as we carry out our daily-life activities· Joy, ease, and serendipity in creative expressionRegistration Questions? Amy Unger, 1666 Coffman St., #327, St. Paul, MN 5108
 Phone:619.871.0427
 email: teachbraingym@gmail.com <mailto:teachbraingym@gmail.com >
 Course Content Questions? Carla Judge
 Phone:503.526.8795
 email:cjeducate@comcast.net <mailto:cjeducate@comcast.net > Our instructor, Carla Judge, M. Ed. in Teaching, BA in Art, is a Licensed Brain Gym, Vision Circles, Optimal Brain Organization, and Double Doodle Instructor is pleased to be bringing Brain Gym to your area this summer.
   
   
 The Mindful Couple Series: Body-Centered Awareness for Increasing Intimacy in Relationship
This experiential workshop is for couples interested in deepening their awareness, empathy, understanding, and connection with each other.
Couples will learn to:
 Be more Present with themselves & their partner
 Listen more with their Heart (less from head) to their partner
 Be more Conscious of Body Sensations & Emotions
 Communicate from new Awareness (less from old mental patterns)
 Deepen Intimacy in their RelationshipOne workshop, Two separate dates:
 Friday, June 18th, Edina, Minnesota from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm
 Saturday, June 26th, Edina, Minnesota  from 10:00 am to 4:30 pmCost is $250 per couple. Payment by cash, check, or credit card will reserve your place in the workshop. Space is limited, so reserve your place today.
Questions or to Register: Call Susan at 952.922.1848 or click on MindBodyTherapyMN.com <http://MindBodyTherapyMN.com > Susan Broadwell, MA, PsyD has been practicing psychotherapy for 20 years and offices in     St Louis Park and Chaska, Minnesota.  She has conducted research on mindfulness and has taught mindfulness for many years.  Her expertise is in body-centered awareness and deepening relationship.
   
   
The Couples Experiential™ with Terry Real
 May 21, 22 & 23, 2010
 10am to 5pm each day
This 3-day workshop is designed to give therapists a unique opportunity to observe Terry Real, creator of Relational Life Therapy (RLT).  Terry works live with eight different couples and offers two hours per day with the observation team to discuss, debrief and deconstruct the sessions. The workshop includes up to 25 observers. Terry works intensively with each couple in turn - in front of the group and observers - group members give feedback to the couple. Using techniques drawn from Relational Life Therapy, each couple is lead, with extraordinary quickness and precision, toward unlocking its fullest potential.  Some couples go from good to great, some pull back from imminent divorce, changing patterns that have plagued them for years. Participants have described the work as riveting, deeply moving, funny, sensible and humane. Many couples and individuals visibly transform before one's eyes.Both advanced students and those brand new to RLT have described this immersion experience as the best teaching experience they've encountered.  FEE: $550 for observation. 1 or 2-day observations cost $200 per day. Some partial scholarships available.
 LOCATION: Doubletree Hotel: Park Place, 150 Park Place Blvd, Minneapolis
 TO REGISTER: Call the Relational Life Institute 781-646-7326  or contact Velma Wagner
 velma4100@yahoo.com
   

Groups Offered:
Group notices list for two consecutive issues.  (Do you have a group you want to advertise here? Free. Contact us. Review past archived eNewsletters on our website for more groups.)
Sexual Abuse Therapy Group for Adult Women has openings:
Meets: Tuesdays, 430-545. Ongoing.
Issues addressed: sharing sexual abuse stories, self-esteem, sexuality, personal development, family of origin, parenting, relationships, assertiveness, self-care, healthy & unhealthy coping skills, attachment, emotional containment strategies, healing, & developing a stronger sense of self.
Intake Session required. $150. Each group session:  $68/session. Most insurance accepted
For more information: Mindy Benowitz, PhD, LP  612.870.0398 & Irene Greene, MSED, Psychotherapist. 
100 West Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN  55404
Irene & Mindy have been doing this group together for over 20 years.

Mindful Parenting Class & Other Mindfulness Classes:
Seeds of Mindfulness is happy to announce for the first time an evening Mindful Parenting Class for the summer. Other offerings include the 8 Week Introductory Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course both AM & PM; another offering in Deepening Courses: Cultivating New Habits of the Heart: A Garden of Women Meditation Teachers: writings, audio and in-person; a weekend residential retreat in lovely, lovely Lansboro, MN; and much more. Check the website for details, www.seedsofmindfulness.com <http://www.seedsofmindfulness.com >  or call 612.343.1623. Judith Lies, MS,LMFT HEARTWOOD Mindfulness Practice Center, home of Seeds of Mindfulness is available at a very reasonable rate up to 1/2 time for compatible usage: course offerings, groups, yoga, massage, dance, voice or musical instrument instruction, qigong, etc. Call Judith Lies at 612.343.1623 for details. Easy access from TC locations, on a park, quiet location, on street parking, peaceful energy, open beautiful space.

Resources & Referrals Needed by Therapists:
(If you can help with any of the requests, please contact the person directly.) 

Group Wanted:
Sent to The Network on Thursday, May 06, 2010:
From: Ruth (drruthc@comcast.net )
I have an older female client (60+) who is interested in learning more about support groups for older lesbians. Please point me in the direction whereby I can provide resources/information to my client.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Group Therapist Input & Help Wanted:
Sent to The Network on Monday, May 03, 2010:
From: Tim Johnson  (TKJ1969@comcast.net )
Comment: My name is Tim Johnson and I am an undergraduate psychology student at Augsburg College.  I am currently performing my internship with District 202 and we are developing a support group model for LGBT youth that can be utilized in schools and community centers.  If there any therapists, psychologists or social workers affiliated with your organization that would be able to donate their time and input for this project it would be greatly appreciated.  As stated earlier we are only in the developmental stages of the project, however, when the support group is up and running we will be looking for professionals to volunteer to moderate the group as well.  Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.
  
Therapist Needed:
Wed, 28 Apr 2010
From: (jksk8terboy@hotmail.com )
I have a friend who is possibly going to be in need of a new therapist and I was going to try and help her out so she can concentrate on finishing up her masters in social work. So here's the deal shes in a wheelchair and is on both medicaid and medicare. She would ideally want a therapist who gets the disability stuff and is an LICSW. For insurance reasons she only can see an LICSW. She currently goes to Courage Center but may not be able to go there anymore. So after all that I was wondering how I could help her out with finding a therapist. She is currently dealing with depression and anxiety. So any ideas on how to look up therapists online?

Group Wanted for Gay People with Disabilities:
Set to The Network on Friday, April 23, 2010
Name: Jennifer (blueglass_sky@yahoo.com )
Comment: I'm a staff at a Minneapolis group home for adults with developmental delays. One of my clients is in the coming out process. I remember that 5 years ago there was a group (therapy or support) specificly for gay people with disabilities (such as mild retardation, autism, etc). I'm trying to find this group or a similar one for my client. If you have heard of such a group or have any pointers towards finding one, I'd appreciate it very much.
 
BDSM- , Fetish- & Poly - friendly Medical Workers Wanted:
I am looking for referrals for medical practitioners, body workers, docs, psychiatrists, etc. who are open to working with (in an informed and non-pathologizing way) people who practice 'non-traditional' forms of sexual expression. I would like to have more referrals for my therapy clients. Thanks, Irene Greene, Psychotherapist   irenegreene@earthlink.net   612.874.6442

Resources for gay & Adopted:
 I am looking for a resource for a client who is gay and adopted.She is unable to find any reading material for individuals who are both. Anything would be helpful. Thank you. Hana Adams
 hxr125@gmail.com

Announcements

NEEDED:
BISEXUAL WOMEN AND MEN TO PARTICIPATE IN A STUDY EXAMINING INFLUENCES OF SOCIAL INTERACTIONS ON IDENTITY:
Vali Kahn, a grad student at the Univ. of Massachusetts, Boston seeks folks who are of White European American heritage, ages 20-36 to participate. To do so or for more info please contact
bi.identities@gmail.com .


Prom Season - from Lambda Legal:  what lgbtq youth need to know
 http://www.lambdalegal.org/our-work/publications/facts-backgrounds/prom-season-what-lgbtq-youth-need-to-know.html

Upcoming Events:

National Veterans Lobby 'Day on Don't Ask Don't Tell' (DADT)
May 11
OutFront Minnesota is proud to be working with a coalition of national organizations to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell to allow Gay and Lesbian Americans to serve openly in the military. On May 11th The National Veterans Lobby Day on DADT, a project of Servicemembers United and the Human Rights Campaign, in partnership with a broad coalition of other pro-military and pro-equality organizations will take place in Washington ahead of the vote on the National Defense Authorization Act, a bill that should finally end the failed and shameful policy of DADT.

Your help is needed! If you are a veteran or the family member of a veteran or active duty service member, visit VeteransLobbyDay.org today to find out how you can help. You'll find all the information you need to plan your trip and officially register to be a part of this historic day. National Veterans Lobby Day on DADT is just over one month away, so don't wait - sign up today!

For more information or if you have questions, please contact Veterans Lobby Day staff at repealDADT@hrc.org .

Candid Theater presents "BENT" May 6-16, 2010:
EVENT DESCRIPTION The Actors Theatre of Minnesota and Candid Theatre are excited to announce their upcoming production of BENT by Martin Sherman, directed by Seraphina Stone, at the Lowry Theatre downtown St. Paul. Performances will be held Thursday-Sunday May 6-17th. The Lowry Theatre is handicap accessible via our main lobby doors located on 5th Street. The entire theater space is handicap accessible.

BENT is the story of Max and Horst, two gay men who find themselves in a Nazi prison camp for the offense of being homosexual. The love affair they create without ever touching is compulsive, soul-wrenching story that is unnerving to watch, and leaves an indelible impression which makes the mind churn considering it afterwards. It's truly a story of self-acceptance, tolerance, and love in the wrong place at the wrong time. After the 40th anniversary of Stonewall, and the 30th anniversary of BENT, the plays message is still relevant. In a time where we are still fighting for equal rights here in the U.S., and there is a bill on the table in countries like Uganda threatening to put homosexuals to death, we at Candid Theatre are reminded just how poignant a play like BENT is.
Lowry Theatre
16 West 5th Street, St Paul, MN 55102
May 6-17 Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 PM Sundays at 5:00 PM
Information (651) 290-2290 When reserving your tickets with CANDID Theatre if you say that you heard about this play from Twin Cities Pride or you say PRIDE they will donate $3.00 to Twin Cities Pride! Tickets also available through Ticketmaster: 1-800-982-2787

Annual Youth Pride:
June 3rd - Loring Park 4-6:30
save the date. more info to follow.

Tidbits:

NCSF Publishes Important Information for Your Mental Health
(National Coalition for Sexual Freedom)
NCSF and the NCSF Foundation are proud to announce two new and valuable publications: A Guide to Choosing a Kink-Aware Therapist, and The Therapists Guide to Polyamory.
 
A Guide to Choosing a Kink-Aware Therapist, created by Keely Kolmes Psy.D. and Geri Weitzman Ph.D., will help people who engage in BDSM find a therapist who can accept them without judgment or prejudice. Some therapists cause more harm than good when they slap a label of mental illness on a client simply because they enjoy kinky sex.
 
"Over the years, I have received many calls from folks around the globe who wanted access to therapy that was respectful of their kink identity, but didn't know where to turn to find it," says co-author Geri Weitzman, PhD. "We are excited to share this resource on finding kink-aware therapists with our community, in the belief that a warmly accepting therapeutic environment should be available to all."
 
"Therapy needs to be a place where you can feel safe to bring your whole self. I hope that our article is a helpful tool for kink-identified clients and the therapists who want to learn more about working competently with them," agrees co-author Keely Kolmes, Psy.D.
 
The second publication has been years in the making: Therapists Guide to Polyamory is edited by NCSF Foundation Chairman James R. Fleckenstein, B.A., and Carol Morotti-Meeker, M.S., M.L.S.P. This guide answers all of a therapist's questions about the purpose and practice of polyamory: everything from the motivations and benefits of polyamory, to emotional and social concerns such as discrimination and family disapproval are covered. Polyamorists can use this guide to explain their lifestyle to their therapist, and for therapists who understand that personal value systems may sabotage their goal of enabling their clients to explore options and life experience in a neutral or supportive way.
 
"For too long, polyamorous clients have consistently expressed concerns that their therapists completely failed to understand the clients' lifestyle choices at best; at worst, therapists immediately pathologized the clients' lifestyle and ascribed all of the clients' issues solely to the decision to have non-exclusive relationships," says Jim Fleckenstein. "This piece, written by three clinicians and thoroughly supported with three pages of references, should help put an end to this practice. I was deeply honored to have had the opportunity to co-edit this vital work."
 
Go to www.ncsfreedom.org  to get your copy today!
 
NCSF is dedicated to ensuring that everyone can find a mental health professional who is understanding and supportive of alternative lifestyles, and believes these guides are an important addition to its Kink Aware Professionals referral list and the DSM Revision Project. A member of KAP recently wrote: "Thank you for operating this fantastic resource. All of my current clients have found me through the KAP database, which is helping me cultivate exactly the kind of practice I'd hoped for."
 
Also available on the NCSF website are the results of the 2nd National Survey of Violence & Discrimination Against Sexual Minorities which found significant discrimination and persecution against BDSM and fetish practitioners. With over three thousand respondents, 37.5% indicated that they had either been discriminated against or experienced some form of harassment or violence. Over 500 comments were written by the respondents which have been gathered into "In Their Own Words" which documents the trauma experienced by those who have been persecuted.

May 10, 2010

National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF)
 
The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom is committed to creating a political, legal, and social environment in the United States that advances the equal rights of consenting adults who practice forms of alternative sexual and relationship expression. NCSF advances the rights and advocates for consenting adults in the SM-Leather-Fetish, swing, and polyamory communities. We pursue our vision through direct services, education, advocacy, and outreach in conjunction with our partner organizations to directly benefit these communities.

Office: (410) 539-4824
Media: (917) 848-6544
 
Mind Over Meds

By DANIEL CARLAT
Published in The New York Times April 19, 2010

One day several years ago, I was reaching the end of my first visit with a patient, J.J., who had come to see me for anxiety and insomnia. He was a salesman for a struggling telecommunications company, and he was having trouble managing the strain on his finances and his family. He was sleeping poorly, and as soon as he opened his eyes in the early morning, the worries began. "I wake up with a list of things to worry about," he said. "I just go through the list, and it seems to get longer every day." http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/magazine/25Memoir-t.html?emc=eta1

Franken stands up for LGBT kids at civil rights hearing
 Minnesota Independent Wed, 21 Apr 2010

At an oversight hearing of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division on Tuesday <http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/hearing.cfm?id=4519 > , Sen. Al Franken advocated for laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment of LGBT students in the nation's public high schools. "The fact is that discrimination and harassment are a fact of life for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students across the country, yet there is no explicit protection in federal law that bars discrimination and harassment against LGBT students," Franken told Thomas Perez, the assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division.

Franken recounted the case of J.L. v. Mohawk Central School District where a 14-year-old male student was harassed to the point of violence - he was pushed down a flight of stairs and threatened at knife-point because his fellow students thought he was gay. When his parents complained, school officials said, "Boys will be boys."

"Unfortunately, this case is hardly unique and a similar case came up in my state," said Franken. He asked Perez, "Do we need an explicit ban against harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity?"

Perez didn't answer the question directly, but did say, "Today's bullies are tomorrows' civil rights defendants," citing "horrific" school bullying cases he has prosecuted. "The federal government can make a difference," he said.

Franken ended his questioning by saying he would work to get federal protections in place. "I would like to work with you on this for specific protections for LGBT kids. It's a very real thing that there is this bullying in schools."

http://minnesotaindependent.com/57855/franken-stands-up-for-lgbt-kids-at-civil-rights-hearing
 

Office Space Available:
 
Space Available in St. Paul  Looking for a St. Paul service location? I am looking for someone to sublet my office. I have 3 days a week that it is avail (Mon, Tues, and Thur) Days and time are all negotiable. My office is located in the Ramsey Professional Building in Crocus Hill, St. Paul, it is on the bus line and is handicap accessible. It is a cozy place that is convenient to many as it is near the Grand Avenue area and one block from United Hospital. Please contact Denise Dworakoski MA, LPCC if interested 612-554-9453 or ddworakosi@hotmail.com <mailto:ddworakosi@hotmail.com >

Be a Featured Network Member!!!
We want to know more about our Members!  Don't be shy! Let's all share a virtual handshake.

If you would like to be a featured member in our next eNewsletter contact me, Irene Greene at irenegreene@earthlink.net or 612.874.6442  I have some questions for you to answer and you can share info about your counseling services, yourself and what being a Network member means to you.
Let's all get to know each other!!

Quote of the Day:
 "Don't overthink: Some happy moments are best left unanalyzed"
                                                                              ~ Terri Trespicio  Body & Soul magazine


Welcome to the MN LGBTQA Therapists eNewsletter of "The Network." The Network is a MN based grass-roots group of queer & allied mental health therapists, students in mental health related fields, and community mental-health related agencies. Our group shares information and resources that impact our varied work in the mental health fields and that is unique to the particular needs of the LGBTQ communities we live in and serve. We welcome submissions to this eNewsletter that are pertinent to mental health and LGBTQ issues ! All Network members are welcome to contribute to this bi-weekly eNewsletter. Just send your referral question, announcement, member accomplishment, space available information, event, conference, workshop, group information, or other pertinent notice to irenegreene@earthlink.net .

The MN LGBT Therapist eNewsletter is sent out every second Tuesday of the month.  All responses to questions, ads, workshops, etc. should be emailed directly back to the contact person in the notice. If you want your name added or deleted from the Network email list, please contact us.  Please note that if you do decide to delete your email, you will no longer receive general Network communications, such as event announcements.

If you want to become a member of this organization please visit:  <http://www.LGBTTherapists.org >
Thank you! Irene Greene, MN LGBT Therapist eNewsletter Coordinator 

Submissions to the eNewsletter, adding or deleting your name from this eNewsletter & a quick window to our website:
 Just send your referral question, announcement, member accomplishment, space available information, event, conference, workshop, group information, or other pertinent notice to enews@LGBTtherapists.org.  If you want your name added or deleted from the eNewsletter email list, use the links below.  Please note that if you do decide to delete your email, you will no longer receive general LGBT Therapists network communications, such as event announcements. If you want to become a member of this organization please visit the LGBT Therapists website.

Thank you! Irene Greene, eNewsletter Coordinator

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