Assignment
1. Respond to your colleaguesâ postings that feature different challenges, sharing an insight gained from your reading.:
HERE IS THE ORIGINAL POST TO HELP THE WRITTER TO KNOW WHAT THE ASSIGNEMT IS ABOUT:
Discussion: Coming Out
Individuals who are coming out, or revealing their sexual and/or gender orientation to others, often feel very alone and isolated in their experiences, especially if they are not connected to a support network that is understanding and knowledgeable about the topic. This also can be true for the family members and close friends of individuals who are coming out, as they often face their own personal reactions to the coming out process as well.
In addition to the support they may receive through counseling during the coming out process, clients may benefit from connecting to local community resources designed to provide informational, emotional, and social support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals and their families. As helping professionals, it is important to be aware of resources that are available within your community so that you can help your clients connect with these resources when they need additional support. Examples of resources include PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and CenterLink Member LGBT Community Centers, which have locations across the United States.
Post by Day 4 an explanation of two challenges LGBTIQ clients may face as they come out in their sexual orientation to others. Then describe the resource you identified that serves this population and provide a link to the resourceâs website. Finally, describe the services this resource provides and explain how they would be helpful to clients and their families.
HERE IS THE DISCUSSION THAT THE WRITER WILL BE RESPONDING TO, PLEASE USE THE REFERENCE LISTED IN THE DISCUSSION
Challenges of Coming Out to Others
Coming out to other people can be risky for LGBTQI people (Levine et al., 2016). Family tension can occur after a teen comes out to their families; parents, siblings, or other family members may reject the LGBTQI person and ostracize them or kick them out of the home (Levine et al., 2016). After coming out, LGBTQI individuals may face discrimination at work or experience bullying in school that causes them to drop out (Levine et al., 2016).
Local Resource to Support LGBTQ+ Youth
A local resource for LGBTQ+ youth in Sarasota, FL is ALSO Youth; their website can be found at www.alsoyouth.org. This organization was created in 1992 in response to high suicide rates in gay and lesbian adolescents (ALSO Youth, n.d.-a). ALSO stands for advocacy, leadership, support, and outreach, and they perform these and other services for young LGBTQ+ people aged 10-24 and their families and friends (ALSO Youth, n.d.-a). ALSO Youth is active in the community; they have regular community events promoting advocacy and education, conduct outreach in schools, and network with community leaders (ALSO Youth, n.d.-a). They have a drop-in center where LGBTQ+ and their friends can gather in a safe space (ALSO Youth, n.d.-b). They provide educational programs, including monthly sexual education from Planned Parenthood andther monthly presentations from professionals such as doctors, yoga teachers, musicians, theater professionals, and others (ALSO Youth, n.d.-b). ALSO Youth has peer support groups and free counseling services for young LGBTQ+ people and their families, focusing on empowerment and affirmation (ALSO Youth, n.d.-b). They provide referrals for young LGBTQ+ people experiencing hardship because of their identity and for parents who need additional support (ALSO Youth, n.d.-b).
Benefits of ALSO Youth Programs
LGBTQ+ people can experience prejudice, stigma, and discrimination from society, peers, family, and themselves (in the form of internalized homophobia) that can negatively impact mental health (Levine et al., 2016). ALSO Youth services provide a safe and supportive space for young members of the LGBTQ+ community to cope with the negative impacts of homophobia, transphobia, and heterodominance on their lives (ALSO Youth, n.d.-b). Socializing with other young LGBTQ+ people can help people learn cultural norms, and embracing oneâs LGBTQ+ identity and community helps them feel more integrated (Levine et al., 2016). ALSO Youthâs parent programs enable parents to process the reality of their childâs sexual orientation or gender identity and allow them to network with other parents in similar circumstances.
References
ALSO Youth. (n.d.-a). Also youth. Retrieved July 9, 2022, from https://www.alsoyouth.org/programs-services
ALSO Youth. (n.d.-b). Programs and services. Retrieved July 9, 2022, from https://www.alsoyouth.org/programs-services
Levine, S. B., Risen, C. B., & Althof, S. E. (Eds.). (2016). Handbook of clinical sexuality for mental health professionals (3rd ed.). Routledge.