GLSO Newsletter March 2007

The Positive View
By Dr. Sherry and Prof. Skippy

Part 2: Belonging to the GLBT Community
            Coming out is often an on-going and sometimes difficult process, but many experts believe that coming out is important to individual well-being and positive identity.  Reaching out and connecting to the GLBT community can be an important part of the process.  For example, just by reading this newsletter, each one of us connects to our vital, active, local GLBT community.  Although there is much diversity within the GLBT community, there are also some similarities of experience that serve as a basis for community building and social support. 

            When asked about the positive aspects of being a lesbian or gay man, “belonging to the GLBT community” was one of the most common themes mentioned. For example, gay male participants wrote, "great community - lots of support and fun with other gay men and lesbians" and, "a real sense of community and support from other gay men and lesbians who can understand the ups and downs of what it's like to be gay in our society - who can be a surrogate family and share your joys as well as your disappointments." Another gay man wrote, "Being an out gay man also creates instant networks. When moving, I can always join the GLB chorus and have an instant social group."  Other gay men wrote, "helps me create a unique fraternity among men like myself" and, "When I first came out, it was the discovery of a community (friends, boyfriends, social scene, politics) that really was empowering."

           Lesbian participants wrote about, "membership in a diverse community" and, "I find the gay community (men and women) to be an incredibly diverse tribe ... you can draw strength and positive energy from it and utilize those tools to improve yourself and build a better and more understanding society." Many lesbians also wrote specifically about the support of the "lesbian community" or the "women's community."  For example, one lesbian participant wrote, "I am always supported, both by my partners and the larger women's community in my artistic, activist, and academic endeavors." Another lesbian submitted, "lesbian communities: both the social connection and a kind of intangible sense of power and empowerment in being a part of a large group of very capable, independent, and creative women."
            We are social beings and social support is crucial to our psychological well-being and perhaps even to our physical health.  For gay men and lesbians, and bisexuals and transgender persons, finding that support in the GLBT community is important to a positive view of ourselves.  Think for a moment: How has the GLBT community had a positive impact in your life?  How might you become more connected to the community and thus gain and provide the kinds of support that enhances life satisfaction? 

For more information about our work, go to www.PrismResearch.org.  Dr. Sherry is Sherry Rostosky, PhD, Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at UK.  Professor Skippy is Ellen Riggle, PhD, Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies and Political Science at UK.  This series is based in part on: Riggle, E.D.B., Whitman, J., Olson, A., Rostosky, S.S., & Strong, S. (2007). The Positive Aspects of Being a Lesbian or Gay Man.

GLSO Newsletter April 2007
The Positive View
By Dr. Sherry and Prof. Skippy

Part 3: Family of Choice
            Family-of-origin can be a source of support and a source of stress for lesbians and gay men.  Some members of our original family are joyfully supportive of us; some are not so supportive.  Past research has shown that many gay men and lesbians experience, at least initially after coming out, some negative response from their family (Laird, 1996; Rostosky et al., 2004).  While the negative responses of most families moderate over time and most gay men and lesbians feel a “good amount” of support from family members, for a sizeable group it remains a challenging issue.
            For this reason, and because many gay men and lesbians look to their friends for empathy and support, the creation of “families of choice” is an important positive aspect of gay and lesbian life (see Barker, Herdt & de Vries, 2006).  Families of choice may include current partners, former partners, children from current and past relationships, friends, and select family members.  Families of choice play an important role in the emotional and physical support of gay men and lesbians and can bring much joy to life. 
One lesbian wrote, "I found it to be the lesbians who showed up, my friends who became my family when no one else was around to help with the hard things - physically and emotionally."  Other lesbian women wrote about "feeling connected to a chosen family on top of my given family" and "my family of choice (friends I spend holidays with) is a positive."
            One gay man observed, "I have a big community of friends and extended family. My brother, who is married with children, is the opposite. When they got married and had kids, he lost all his friends. He says he wants me back as a close family member but in truth I get much more love and support from my 'chosen family'." Another gay man offered, "I feel that one of the most positive things about being a gay man is the ability we have to create our own extended families. We shelter those seeking refuge from families who no longer want them to be a part of them. I know this is something that all adults, gay or straight, are able to do, but as a gay man, it's more important."
            For couples, the support of family is important to their relationship quality, including both original and chosen family: “I think because we are not only gaining support from our friends but from our family, I think that can only serve to strengthen our feelings for each other.” It is often close friends who serve as role models and who support our relationships through good times and not-so-good times.
            Who is your chosen “family?” What positive impacts has your family of choice had on your life? Do they know what they mean to your life? Are there things you can do to build a stronger or more extensive “family” network? 

For more information about our work, go to www.PrismResearch.org.  Dr. Sherry is Sherry Rostosky, PhD, Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at UK.  Professor Skippy is Ellen Riggle, PhD, Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies and Political Science at UK.  This series is based in part on: Riggle, E.D.B., Whitman, J., Olson, A., Rostosky, S.S., & Strong, S. (2007). The Positive Aspects of Being a Lesbian or Gay Man.

GLSO News – May 2007
The Positive View
By Dr. Sherry and Professor Skippy

Part 4:  Emotional connections
           Strong emotional connections with others are an important aspect of positive well-being. Many of the participants in our study wrote about how their identity as a gay man or lesbian helped them to make stronger emotional connections with other people. Gay men and lesbians wrote about connections with straight men and women as well as members of the GLBT community.  For example, one gay man wrote, "Living outside of many of society's expectations for male-female interactions, gay men are free to have closer, non-sexual friendships with women (lesbian or heterosexual)." Another gay man wrote about how being gay facilitated his relationships with straight men, "I also like how I've served as a bridge for some straight men who are attracted to my masculinity yet my not being competitive with them in certain ways.  They often feel free to open up to me because I'll understand and yet not put them down for being fallible or vulnerable as their straight male friends might." Lesbian responses included, "I tend to get along well with straight men because they see me as an ally," and, "I am able to have close friendships with both straight and gay men without any concerns or confusion over whether there is any sexual component to our relationships. I am also able to have close friendships with both straight and gay women, because straight women seem unconcerned about my sexuality and other gay women are obviously comfortable with it."
            Many survey participants also indicated being gay or lesbian created opportunities to have stronger connections with a same-sex partner. For example, one gay man wrote, "As a gay man, I have insider knowledge about the very group of people I am attracted to ... I always have a keen understanding about what I am dealing with, positive and negative, when I am interacting with another man in a friendship or relationship." Another gay man wrote, "An advantage of dating a man is that we can do 'guy stuff' together ... it's like having a best friend and a lover in the same person."  A lesbian wrote, "Another positive thing about being a lesbian is that I am able to not only relate to my partner, but understand her as well. We understand each other's emotions and feelings." Another lesbian responded, "I feel women are capable of a deeper, different kind of love... Sex with women is great because they have the same parts and have a better idea of what to do."
            Think for a moment: how has being a gay man or lesbian facilitated your emotional connections with others? strong emotional connections with a partner or good friend? How have these strong connections contributed to your well-being?

For more information about our work, go to www.PrismResearch.org.  Dr. Sherry is Sherry Rostosky, PhD, Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at UK.  Professor Skippy is Ellen Riggle, PhD, Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies and Political Science at UK.  This series is based in part on: Riggle, E.D.B., Whitman, J., Olson, A., Rostosky, S.S., & Strong, S. (2007). The Positive Aspects of Being a Lesbian or Gay Man.

GLSO News - June 2007
The Positive View
By Dr. Sherry and Prof. Skippy

Part 5: Being a Positive Role Model
            Roles models are important to us as we grow and develop, even in adulthood. We find our role models at school, in our communities, at work, or among our family and friends.  For gay men and lesbians, however, finding role models who share their sexual identity can be very challenging, especially in our youth, because of the lack of access to a range of visible GLBT persons.  The responses to our survey indicated that gay men and lesbians recognize the importance of being a positive role model and find great satisfaction in giving of themselves in this way. For example, one gay man wrote, "I find it positive to be a role model for the gay community in my workplace.  I enjoy being openly gay in the workplace, particularly where I work with younger gay and lesbian students who look to me for support and guidance."  A lesbian participant wrote, "I think my partner and I, working as 'out' lesbians, try to set an example and be good role models for ALL our friends, including our lesbian friends and couples." 
            In serving as a positive social role model, a gay man submitted, "Younger people look up to me and see you can be gay, happy, and in a committed relationship."  For one of the lesbian participants being a positive role model took the form of mentoring a young woman who was newly out and providing her with the role model she wished she had when coming out: "I became a mentor of sorts to her.  It made me so happy to know that she felt she could come to me for support, and I always took time with her, because having gone through some of the same experiences, I would have loved to be able to talk to someone that I could trust."
In other research that we have conducted, we have found that same-sex couples express a desire to have visible, positive same-sex couple role models.  While there are many similarities between opposite-sex and same-sex couple relationships, there are also differences.  For same-sex couples, it is important to see positive, long-term, committed, loving relationships.  One respondent wrote about her family and friends’ view of her relationship, “They see that we are happy together, complement each other, are good forces in each others’ lives, and they admire our relationship.”
            Who are the people that you look to for inspiration about how to live your best life?  How might you be a positive role model to others in the GLBT community?  Most of us vastly underestimate our impact on those around us. What types of positive messages do you want others to read in your life?  What small actions can you take to be a positive role model of life well-lived as a GLBT person?

For more information about our work, go to www.PrismResearch.org.  Dr. Sherry is Sherry Rostosky, PhD, Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at UK.  Professor Skippy is Ellen Riggle, PhD, Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies and Political Science at UK. This article is based on: Riggle, Whitman, Olson, Rostosky, & Strong. (2007). The Positive Aspects of Being a Lesbian or Gay Man.

GLSO News   - July 2007
The Positive View
By Dr. Sherry and Prof. Skippy

Part 6: Authenticity and honesty
           A part of the coming out process is being honest with ourselves about our identity and feelings.  This is a part of self-acceptance. Sharing this part of our self with others and living our life “authentically,” or without pretense, is rewarding and a part of personal growth.This feeling of being authentic and honest with one’s self and others was the most common theme mentioned by respondents to our survey. Some participants shared that being honest and authentic meant simply, “being who I am” or “being myself.” Others wrote, “I don’t have to hide who I am” or “I do not have to live my life as a lie.”
           Living authentically is expressed in a positive and far-reaching enthusiasm for life.  For example, one lesbian stated, “I am living authentically, which feeds my confidence, my joy and happiness, my relationship with God, my improved health.” Another lesbian wrote, “I think knowing who you really are and embracing yourself is very important and positive. It allows you to reach your real potential and to be authentic.”
           Living authentically and honestly involves self-discovery. One gay man noted that, “Being an out gay man allows you to understand yourself in a unique way, having had to go through an intense period of introspection.” Another gay man similarly stated, “I think that all the experiences of struggle that often constitute the development of a gay identity become a positive - in knowing self, in building relationships built on authenticity and congruence, in learning to stand with others and for oneself.” 
           The positive aspects accompanying the continual process of coming out were explained by a gay man as, “Like it or not, there always seem to be new opportunities to ‘out’ myself - thus allowing me to be honest about who I am.” The “gift” of a gay identity was perhaps best expressed in the statement of one gay man, “I count that step of authenticity [coming out and emotionally embracing myself] as my inheritance as a gay man.”
            For GLBT adults, achieving a life that is “integrated” often means moving from a life that feels “fragmented” or “compartmentalized” into a sense that we are the same person across all of our relationships and roles.  This kind of integration or authenticity across all of the parts of our lives can be a long and challenging process that requires patience, perseverance, good role models, and the emotional support of friends.  Who are the people that you feel you can be most authentic around and honest with about your life?  How can you facilitate honesty and authentic living for yourself and others?

For more information about our work, go to www.PrismResearch.org.  Dr. Sherry is Sherry Rostosky, PhD, Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at UK.  Professor Skippy is Ellen Riggle, PhD, Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies and Political Science at UK. This article is based on: Riggle, Whitman, Olson, Rostosky, & Strong. (2007). The Positive Aspects of Being a Lesbian or Gay Man.

GLSO News   - August 2007
The Positive View
By Dr. Sherry and Prof. Skippy

Part 7: Personal insight and sense of self
           Being authentic and honest in one’s life (a topic we discussed last month) requires insight into one’s being.  It has been suggested by the work of other authors (Fassinger, 1998; Abes and Jones 2004) that identifying as gay man or lesbian may enhance the complexity of our understandings of self.  That is, having a lesbian or gay identity may provide opportunities, for example, for a better understanding of our self in relation to others and the world. 
           Participants in our survey reported feeling that they enjoyed deepened insight and a stronger sense of self and identity. This was sometimes connected with their ability to be compassionate and empathize with others (which we will discuss next month).  Participants often saw their ability to achieve personal insights as a critical skill that was derived from being a gay man or lesbian and extended to other parts of their life.  For example, one gay male participant explained, “...because homosexuality is often taboo - even recently illegal …  it has made me examine other social and legal bans and decide for myself whether they are good or bad. Whether [the topic] is marijuana or Christianity, being gay has given me a critical eye and sharp sense of irony in the double standards of society.” A gay man wrote, “The impact of deepening my own insight and positive development as a whole-person, [has given me a] richer deeper meaning of the real masculine.” Another offered, “Coming to terms with being gay, admitting that I am not in the majority, has given me a greater depth of self knowledge - knowing that I have explored my own identity and not simply inherited one from society and the media.”
            Lesbian participants expressed similar insight and strength gained as a result of their lesbian identity.  One lesbian wrote, “Being a lesbian and dealing with homophobia (internal and external) has made me a stronger, deeper person. I really like the way my life is going and it feels like I actually have more control over it (as much as possible) than what I hear other straight peers say about their own lives.” Another lesbian offered, “Accepting myself as a lesbian also has made me better able to see all aspects of myself. I have been able to accept all the good and not-so-good parts of myself and learn to work with what I have been given.”             Finally, another lesbian participant wrote, “… being gay encourages one to really search within for self-understanding and acceptance. Since society is largely not very supportive of gays or gay rights, a gay person needs to find inner sources of strength and confidence.”
            What personal insights do you feel you have gained from your identity as a gay man, lesbian, bisexual, queer, or transgender person?  How have those insights helped you to achieve a positive sense of self?  How can you share those insights with others to help them achieve a positive sense of self?

For more information about our work, go to www.PrismResearch.org.  Dr. Sherry is Sherry Rostosky, PhD, Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at UK.  Prof. Skippy is Ellen Riggle, PhD, Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies and Political Science at UK. This article is based on: Riggle, Whitman, Olson, Rostosky, & Strong. (2007). The Positive Aspects of Being a Lesbian or Gay Man.

GLSO News   - September 2007
The Positive View
By Dr. Sherry and Prof. Skippy

Part 8: Increased empathy and compassion for others
           Empathy is an important quality in fostering positive relationships with others, whether in close personal relationships, friendships, or in our connection to others in the world.  The ability to empathize leads to compassion for others.  Many eastern philosophies identify compassion as the foundation for peace in the world.
           Lesbians and gay men who took part in our survey reported feeling that they had an increased sense of empathy and compassion for other people who are oppressed.  This was the most common theme mentioned by gay men in their answers. One gay man eloquently stated, “I enjoy being a member of the gay community because it teaches me a lot of things about acceptance, openness, diversity and sincerity.  If I had turned out to be straight, although I would like to think that I would be as accepting of others as I am now, I still would have been missing the perspective that only minority members feel and can share with others.” Another gay man wrote, “Being gay has also given me experiences in discrimination that have opened my eyes to the plight of other peoples and individuals. I think being gay has made me more empathic and compassionate than I would otherwise have been as a white Southern man.”  The awareness of privilege provided a source of motivation for one gay man who stated, “I would say first that for me, the journey from a white male privileged identity to the inclusion of a gay identity forever changed my experience and passion for working with others who are oppressed.”
            While this was a common theme for Caucasian/white gay men, it was also mentioned by gay men of color.  For example, an Asian-American gay man wrote, “I’m a better person, more sensitive to prejudice, discrimination, etc. because I’m gay.” A Latino gay man similarly reported, “If I were not gay, I don’t think I would understand and/or appreciate differences between peoples (sex, gender, ethnic, race, cultural) as well as I do now.”
           Lesbian respondents made similar observations.  One lesbian participant reported, “I believe being a lesbian has made me more aware of world issues and how they affect others.” Another offered, “I am less judgmental, because I know how easily others can judge me.  Being ‘other’ has made me more sensitive to other minorities and more conscious of the work of acceptance that needs to be done in the world.”
            How has your own GLBTQ identity helped you understand and empathize with other persons who are stigmatized? Can you think of a specific instance when being GLBTQ contributed to your ability to empathize and have compassion for another person or group of people?  How can you use that insight to increase understanding of others?
           For more information about our work, go to www.PrismResearch.org.  Dr. Sherry is Sherry Rostosky, PhD, Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at UK.  Prof. Skippy is Ellen Riggle, PhD, Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies and Political Science at UK. This article is based on: Riggle, Whitman, Olson, Rostosky, & Strong. (2007). The Positive Aspects of Being a Lesbian or Gay Man.

GLSO News   - October 2007
The Positive View
By Dr. Sherry and Prof. Skippy

Part 9: Social justice and activism
           Last month we discussed the increased empathy for oppressed others that gay male and lesbian participants in our survey expressed.  In fact, it was the most common theme mentioned by gay men.  The quotes we included touched upon the personal reaction that prompted for many survey respondents – a concern for social justice and the desire to help others through social activism.
           Several participants expressed their desires to promote social justice and to be active in the struggle for gay and lesbian rights as well as a broader set of social issues. Some respondents expressed that the ‘personal is political’ and perceived themselves as activists simply by virtue of living “out” their lives. One lesbian explained, “I like belonging to an alternative group of the population and feeling like I am a part of a political and cultural movement that is very important in our world today. I like the fight for human rights and continuing work toward equality. Being a lesbian is making the personal political, being politically active just by being out.” Another lesbian offered, “I am aware of social justice and civil rights issues in every day life. I’m aware of my status as an ‘invisible’ minority. I work for civil rights issues. I tend to look at myself and my life as an opportunity to educate others about not assuming too much and living my life as an example of what stereotypes I am not.”
            Other respondents were active in organizations and outspoken on issues. A lesbian participant wrote, “... because of this awareness I’ve become involved in social justice organizations attempting to eliminate white supremacist and patriarchal ideals as well as homophobia.”  One gay man talked about how his identity led to his involvement as a feminist, “I have been an active feminist as I realize that fighting gender roles and limitations does much to create discussion of and freedom for same-sex relationships.” Another gay man noted, “As I get older, I become more active as a person, more involved in the community and the issues that affect me on a small level and a greater level because I am gay.  I realize that my voice counts.” And, a gay man commented on his broadened agenda for social activism, “I am more concerned with social justice, not only for LGBT issues, but any minority, the disabled, children, and so on.”
            What concerns for social justice do you have?  How have you worked or might you work for social change?  How might you urge others to work for social justice? 
           For more information about our work, go to www.PrismResearch.org.  Dr. Sherry is Sherry Rostosky, PhD, Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at UK.  Prof. Skippy is Ellen Riggle, PhD, Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies and Political Science at UK. This article is based on: Riggle, Whitman, Olson, Rostosky, & Strong (2007). The Positive Aspects of Being a Lesbian or Gay Man.

GLSO News   - November 2007
The Positive View
By Dr. Sherry and Prof. Skippy

Part 10: Freedom from gender-specific roles
           Many gay men and lesbians who participated in our survey wrote about the positive aspect of being free from gender role stereotypes, social constructions and expectations.  Societal norms regarding gender impact men and women differently, and some of these differences are reflected in the answers of participants.
            For gay men, freedom from gender roles included the freedom to express themselves emotionally, something that men are typically taught to avoid.  For example, one gay man wrote, “I have been able to explore my ‘feminine’ and ‘masculine’ sides more.” Similar comments were expressed by a gay man who wrote, “I have the freedom to be sensitive or artistic or girly or whatever else I want to be in my own life,” and another who offered, “I am more free to express myself in terms of behaviors and emotions - I do not have to monitor as closely what I do, think, and feel to make sure it conforms to what it means to be a ‘real man.’”
            For lesbians, freedom from gender roles included a feeling of independence, confidence and strength, feelings which are often denied women within their gender role socialization.  A general sense of this freedom was illustrated by a lesbian who wrote, “It gives me the freedom to be who I am, rather than trying to figure out how to be the woman society expects me to be. That is very empowering!” Another lesbian noted, “I can play (to some extent) by different rules in life (that is, I can be a strong, tough aggressive woman) because I have already broken a major one by being a lesbian.” One lesbian wrote, “Because I am not personally bound by gender expectations, I have no qualms about being assertive at work.  I never worry that my actions might be considered unladylike.”
           For some gay men and lesbians, part of the freedom from gender role expectations included freedom from pressures to follow the traditional heterosexual gender scripts of “getting married and having kids.” Some participants noted that they appreciated that they could “choose to have children instead of being expected to have children.” One lesbian stated, “Being lesbian allows us to choose to have children and how to raise children in ways not claimed by straight women.” A gay man noted, “I am free to form my own definition of a relationship. And this relationship does not have to follow a heterosexual timeline of marriage and children, etc (although both are legal and an option where I live).” Still another gay man reflected that, “There is less pressure on gay men to have children and as such, the decision for a gay man to have or not to have children may involve a healthier process.”
            How has your LGBTQ identity affected your idea about gender roles? How do you think you express your gender in a way different from non-LGBTQ people?  How do you think that has strengthened your sense of self?
           For more information about our work, go to www.PrismResearch.org.  Dr. Sherry is Sherry Rostosky, PhD, Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at UK.  Prof. Skippy is Ellen Riggle, PhD, Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies and Political Science at UK. This article is based on: Riggle, Whitman, Olson, Rostosky, & Strong (2007). The Positive Aspects of Being a Lesbian or Gay Man.

GLSO News   - December 2007
The Positive View
By Dr. Sherry and Prof. Skippy

Part 11: Exploring sexuality and relationships
           A consequence of freedom from gender role expectations (a topic we discussed last month) for some gay men and lesbians is a feeling of being freer to explore different expressions of their sexuality and different constructions of intimate relationships. 
Freedom in gender roles may allow lesbians and gay men to more freely engage in various types of sexual behaviors and relationships with partners.  Freedom from heterosexual relationship scripts allows for the creation of new relationship norms. 
           One gay man summed it up as “a freedom to explore [sexuality] that comes with being openly gay.”  Another gay man stated, “Being in a skirt has a different feel to it than western pants. I am not talking about drag per se. Just as being naked has its own feel.  Most straight men can’t go there.” Another gay man wrote, “Our relationship was ‘unconventional’ to start with which has given us the opportunity to work on it with a lot of freedom [including] more sexual freedom;” while another offered, “There is considerable freedom for a gay couple to communicate, negotiate, and establish their own rules and traditions.”
            A lesbian participant shared that, “Being a lesbian is positive because it provides the opportunity to create a lot of the rules of life and relationships. ... It has a freedom to create new types of relationships.”  Another lesbian wrote, “… a built-in separation from societal mainstream [sexual] norms, which frees me somewhat from having to conform to those norms.” One lesbian expressed her sense of freedom as “I do not feel that I am bound by any rules or regulations in a relationship.”  Another lesbian elaborated a similar point, “There are no gender limitations on anything - we do what we do best and what we like to do. For example, I’m very feminine and my partner is more masculine. However, I’m physically stronger and I don’t mind getting dirty.  So I do the heavier work.  It’s great to not have to fall into society’s pre-defined categories based on appearance.”
           Creating relational scripts that are free from gendered prescriptions allows for flexibility within roles and may even help prepare gay men and lesbians for later life. The concept of gender role flexibility for older gay men and lesbians is a strength which allows for greater adaptation to the demands of aging and greater flexibility in relationship roles as we grow older (Berger & Kelly, 1986; Friend, 1987, 1990).  Gender nonconforming behavior is therefore a positive aspect that allows individuals to “have a wider repertoire of available coping tools and responses at their disposal as they age” (Ritter & Terndrup, 2002, p. 141). 
            How has being LGBTQ freed you to explore your sexuality and the norms of sexuality?  How have you gone about creating your relationship scripts?  What are the positive things you have learned about sexuality and relationships that you think heterosexuals could benefit from?
           For more information about our work, go to www.PrismResearch.org.  Dr. Sherry is Sherry Rostosky, PhD, Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at UK.  Prof. Skippy is Ellen Riggle, PhD, Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies and Political Science at UK. This article is based on: Riggle, Whitman, Olson, Rostosky, & Strong (2007). The Positive Aspects of Being a Lesbian or Gay Man.

GLSO News   - January 2008
The Positive View
By Dr. Sherry and Prof. Skippy