Gain a better understanding of the special therapeutic issues and needs of GLBT families In terms of research, GLBT families constitute a neglected segment of society. Gender and sexual orientation can make the issues in family studies even more difficult to work through. An Introduction to GLBT Family Studies tackles a challenging research topic by presenting noted experts examining the latest information on the newest type of family studiesGLBT families. This groundbreaking text explores a wide range of unique problems faced by nontraditional families, as well as issues common to traditional families that need to be approached with a GLBT perspective. Though homophobia and heterosexism constantly influence GLBT families, these factors do not necessarily overwhelm the dynamic of their basic family unit. Issues present in many traditional families are found when researching GLBT families. An Introduction to GLBT Family Studies spotlights the issues, research, and future trends that provide a foundation for the study of GLBT families. This breakthrough volume focuses not only on the obvious unique factors within GLBT families, but also on the elements encountered within families that are present regardless of sexual orientation and gender, such as physical and emotional abuse. Expert contributors present research findings on family pattern issues relating to parent-child relationships, child development, sibling relationships, family structure, intimate relationships, stepfamilies, alternative family structures, and extended family relationships. Each chapter is extensively referenced and offers possibilities for further research. An Introduction to GLBT Family Studies discusses family studies topics such as: the impact of the family of origin life course perspective transgender identity issues and the family when a spouse comes out as gay, lesbian, or bisexual a study of lesbian couples adapting genogram techniques in therapy research comparing siblings of different sexual orientations studies of patterns of responses to parental reactions to learning their offspring are gay, lesbian, or bisexual the polyamory structure to some gay men's familial relationships same-sex marriages and legalized relationships gay male couples' roles in today's society the impact of heterosexism on working with same-sex relationships research on long-term lesbian couples An Introduction to GLBT Family Studies is a valuable reference for academic researchers in family studies, marriage and family therapy, social work, and counseling; educators, upper division undergraduate and graduate students; and anyone interested in better understanding GLBT family studies.

Use new knowledge of the LGBT culture to ably counsel same-sex couples Relationship Therapy with Same-Sex Couples provides psychologists, therapists, social workers, and counselors with an overview of the array of treatment issues they may face when working with couples from the LGBT community. This book highlights the experiences of therapists who have encountered concerns particular to LGBT clients especially those in intimate relationships. This intriguing resource covers clinical issues, sex therapy, special situations, and training issues for helping therapists successfully counsel same-sex couples. Relationship Therapy with Same-Sex Couples explores the therapist's role in working through universal issues in couples therapy such as communication problems, infidelity, and decision-making with a focus on how therapy should differ for same-sex couples. This important guide also identifies which problems are unique to couples as an aspect of their sexual orientation, including gender role socialization and societal oppression. With this book, you will be able provide appropriate therapy without over- or under-attributing a couple's problems to their LGBT status.This book shows how experienced therapists have developed methods for working with: gay and lesbian parents heterosexual spouses and ex-spouses couples in HIV serodiscordant relationships lesbian bed death couple and family dynamics supporting transgender and sexual reassignment issues and more Relationship Therapy with Same-Sex Couples contains several features for you to utilize in your own practice, including the Sexual Orientation Matrix for Supervision (SOMS) to assist supervisors and trainers in preparing supervisees to work with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients. The book also offers guidelines for heterosexual therapists who plan to work with same-sex couples and how to overcome any residual homophobia or heterosexual guilt. Lastly, this essential sourcebook reviews several articles, book chapters, books, and Web sites that are relevant to same-sex couples and the therapists who work with them.

Use new knowledge of the LGBT culture to ably counsel same-sex couples Relationship Therapy with Same-Sex Couples provides psychologists, therapists, social workers, and counselors with an overview of the array of treatment issues they may face when working with couples from the LGBT community. This book highlights the experiences of therapists who have encountered concerns particular to LGBT clients especially those in intimate relationships. This intriguing resource covers clinical issues, sex therapy, special situations, and training issues for helping therapists successfully counsel same-sex couples. Relationship Therapy with Same-Sex Couples explores the therapist's role in working through universal issues in couples therapy such as communication problems, infidelity, and decision-making with a focus on how therapy should differ for same-sex couples. This important guide also identifies which problems are unique to couples as an aspect of their sexual orientation, including gender role socialization and societal oppression. With this book, you will be able provide appropriate therapy without over- or under-attributing a couple's problems to their LGBT status.This book shows how experienced therapists have developed methods for working with: gay and lesbian parents heterosexual spouses and ex-spouses couples in HIV serodiscordant relationships lesbian bed death couple and family dynamics supporting transgender and sexual reassignment issues and more Relationship Therapy with Same-Sex Couples contains several features for you to utilize in your own practice, including the Sexual Orientation Matrix for Supervision (SOMS) to assist supervisors and trainers in preparing supervisees to work with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients. The book also offers guidelines for heterosexual therapists who plan to work with same-sex couples and how to overcome any residual homophobia or heterosexual guilt. Lastly, this essential sourcebook reviews several articles, book chapters, books, and Web sites that are relevant to same-sex couples and the therapists who work with them.

A deeply personal account of the trials and tribulations of the surrogacy journey! Surrogacy's been coldly and unjustifiably called baby buying and baby selling and many states have banned it. But those insensitive terms do not tell the inspiring tale of a couple fiercely wanting to become parents. A Gay Couple's Experience with Surrogacy: Intended Fathers is the moving true story of a gay couple's decision to have their child through a surrogate mother. With humor and emotion, the author traces their intense experience from the initial decision to have a child through surrogacy on through the entire pregnancy and birth. A Gay Couple's Journey Through Surrogacy chronicles this couple's no-holds-barred account of the emotional toll, the legal matters, the financial concerns, and the ultimate fulfillment of parenting a child. A Gay Couple's Journey Through Surrogacy reveals the author's answers to these questions: why surrogacy over adoption? which type of surrogacytraditional or gestational? what were the issues when choosing a surrogate? how much does surrogacy cost? what living expenses are included in the cost? what are the emotional and financial reasons that surrogates choose to bear another's child? what are the pitfalls in choosing surrogacy? what are the legal issueswhat to beware and what to consider An excerpt: Before I knew it, I was writing an ad of my own, and I actually posted it. David, of course, had no idea what I was up to. The ad read: We're a gay couple in New York that just celebrated our fourteenth anniversary and we've decided to extend our family. We're looking for someone close by and even have a separate apartment available if needed. Nice, huh? Could it be just a little bit more. . . vague? Could my ad have lacked a little more personality? Sure, have our baby and move right in while you're doing it! Who the hell would respond to that? I wasn't even sure after reading it myself that it made any sense. But what should I have said? What could I have said? I scrambled to find a way to delete it, but couldn't. A Gay Couple's Journey Through Surrogacy is a touching memoir that reveals the challenges that face gay and lesbian couples who may be considering either adoption or surrogacy.

A deeply personal account of the trials and tribulations of the surrogacy journey! Surrogacy's been coldly and unjustifiably called baby buying and baby selling and many states have banned it. But those insensitive terms do not tell the inspiring tale of a couple fiercely wanting to become parents. A Gay Couple's Experience with Surrogacy: Intended Fathers is the moving true story of a gay couple's decision to have their child through a surrogate mother. With humor and emotion, the author traces their intense experience from the initial decision to have a child through surrogacy on through the entire pregnancy and birth. A Gay Couple's Journey Through Surrogacy chronicles this couple's no-holds-barred account of the emotional toll, the legal matters, the financial concerns, and the ultimate fulfillment of parenting a child. A Gay Couple's Journey Through Surrogacy reveals the author's answers to these questions: why surrogacy over adoption? which type of surrogacytraditional or gestational? what were the issues when choosing a surrogate? how much does surrogacy cost? what living expenses are included in the cost? what are the emotional and financial reasons that surrogates choose to bear another's child? what are the pitfalls in choosing surrogacy? what are the legal issueswhat to beware and what to consider An excerpt: Before I knew it, I was writing an ad of my own, and I actually posted it. David, of course, had no idea what I was up to. The ad read: We're a gay couple in New York that just celebrated our fourteenth anniversary and we've decided to extend our family. We're looking for someone close by and even have a separate apartment available if needed. Nice, huh? Could it be just a little bit more. . . vague? Could my ad have lacked a little more personality? Sure, have our baby and move right in while you're doing it! Who the hell would respond to that? I wasn't even sure after reading it myself that it made any sense. But what should I have said? What could I have said? I scrambled to find a way to delete it, but couldn't. A Gay Couple's Journey Through Surrogacy is a touching memoir that reveals the challenges that face gay and lesbian couples who may be considering either adoption or surrogacy.