ISSUES UNIQUE TO LGBTQ ADOLESCENTS
Presented by
Melanie D. Hetzl-Riggin, Ph.D.
And
Burt Sorkey, Psy.D.

                This workshop will involve small-group discussions of vignettes designed to elicit thoughtful consideration of issues that are unique to LGBTQ adolescents. Some of these issues include:

            (1)  LGBTQ individuals belong to one of the few minorities raised by members of the dominant group. As a result, their parents may be ignorant of LGBTQ culture and history. They may not instill pride in their children for being LGBTQ and may actually raise their children to be hostile toward LGBTQ individuals and issues. LGBTQ individuals may internalize their parents’ and society’s homophobia.

            (2)  LGBTQ individuals may experience hostility in high school and not have the opportunity to date openly, experiment with relationships, attend proms, etc.

            (3)  Transgender and transsexual individuals may have to deal with lack of resources and facilities on campuses, as well as ignorance and rejection.

            (4)  LGBTQ individuals in abusive or violent relationships are likely to experience a lack of resources, an intersection of power and control issues due to both societal and interpersonal oppression, and a decreased amount of social support. They may also face legal and safety issues that are not present in heterosexual relationships.

            We will also provide a list of online and in-print resources for these issues, as well as attempt to create a state-wide list of resources from the workshop participants.