Why a gay counselor?

If you are gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans-gendered, the question may seem almost rhetorical. Many of us have a sense of community, of belonging to a "people" -- or we are longing for this connectedness -- or it is just plain more comfortable to talk with another gay person. (Some members of the younger generation have adopted the use of "queer" to encompass all GLBT folks, but I am old enough that I still wince a bit at that word!)

The advantages are that you may have to do less educating about gay lifestyles and choices, and/or rapport may develop more quickly and easily. The downside to this, of course, is that we may assume we understand each other better than we do. You will still need to explain who you are, your values, and what your situation is. I will still need to double-check assumptions and ask you to say things in your own words!

If you are NOT gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans-gendered, you may still want to work with a gay counselor because:

• you are still trying to sort out your identity and preferences

• you have a gay person in your family

• you have gay friends you have been able to trust

• you are a woman wanting to work with a "non-threatening" male

• or even because you are a male victim of sexual assault and it is embarassing to talk about the experience with someone who has no clue what it might have been like.

This page last updated on February 27, 2000