|
What About Gay Children
“When I told my parents I was gay, they said,
‘Let’s see how the second Grade goes
first, dear.’ ” Carson Kressley to Oprah
Winfrey
In my writing and talks on Gay Affirmative
Therapy I talk about the idea that gay and lesbian
adults were once gay and lesbian children. This
makes many people uncomfortable as most people
think of gay/lesbian identity as nothing more than
sexual. Homosexuality is one's identity and
romantic interests and not any more sexual than is
heterosexuality.
Because people typically associate gay and
lesbian identity with adult sexual behavior,
thinking that children might be gay superimposes
adult sexuality onto them—which is certainly
inappropriate. But considering a child to be gay is
not more (or less) sexually suggestive than
assuming he is straight.
Look at these pictures of little boys and girls
holding hands and licking ice cream together. No
one would superimpose adult sexuality on these
children. They would see it as sweet romantic and
practice for later in life heterosexual romance and
intimacy.
But take these same images and put two little
girls or boys licking an ice cream cone or holding
each other and people would be outraged.
Heterosexist and homophobes would say that it is
modeling and affirming homosexuality. So what if it
is? How is that any different than pictures of
opposite gendered children like these shown
here?
I live for the day I see pictures of two little
boys or girls in poses such as these.
©2009 by Joe Kort
Related: Issues,
Books
Psychotherapist
Joe Kort, MA, MSW, has been in practice since 1985.
He specializes in Gay Affirmative Psychotherapy as
well as IMAGO Relationship Therapy, which is a
specific program involving communication exercises
designed for couples to enhance their relationship
and for singles to learn relationship skills. He
also specializes in sexual addiction, childhood
sexual, physical and emotional abuse, depression
and anxiety. He offers workshops for couples and
singles. He runs a gay men's group therapy and a
men's sexuality group therapy for straight, bi and
gay men who are struggling with specific sexual
issues. His therapy services are for gays and
lesbians as well as heterosexuals. His articles and
columns have appeared in The Detroit Free
Press, Between the Lines Newspaper for
Gays and Lesbians, The Detroit News, The
Oakland Press, The Royal Oak Mirror, and
other publications. Besides providing therapy for
individuals and couples, he conducts a number of
groups and workshops for gay men. Now an adjunct
professor teaching Gay and Lesbian Studies at Wayne
State University's School of Social Work, he is
doing more writing and workshops on a national
level. He is the author of 10
Smart Things Gay Men can do to Improve Their
Lives and
10
Smart Things Gay Men Can Do to Find Real
Love.
www.joekort.com
or E-Mail
*
Gaydar
(gay'.dahr, n.): (1) The
ability that lets gays and lesbians identify one
other. (2) This column--where non-gay readers can
improve their gaydar, learning more about gay men's
psychology and social lives. Also, (3) a regular
feature where gay readers can discover the many
questions and hassles their straight
counterparts--and themselves--must face!
Contact
Us |
Disclaimer
| Privacy
Statement
Menstuff®
Directory
Menstuff® is a registered trademark of Gordon
Clay
©1996-2023, Gordon Clay
|
