This contributed text features articles written by experts from psychology, sociology, anthropology, education, women's studies, and law. Developmental focus provides students with a sense of continuity in understanding the life span challenges of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals. Range of topics includes perinatal factors in gender identity, issues in sexual childhood identity, perspectives on coming out, ethnic minorities, dating, relationships, families, and law. Lists of resources, organizations and services, as well as policy recommendations, form a valuable reference guide within the textbook.

Key Benefits: This book joins the strengths approach with an overview of social work practice with an oppressed population. A strengths approach provides a skills framework that can be used with any vulnerable or oppressed group. The book speaks directly to the reader through illustrations and boxes written by undergraduate students, as well as a wealth of case examples provided by experienced family counselors. Key Benefits: The text includes an entire chapter on sexuality (Ch. 6), two chapters on health care with the gay, lesbian, and bisexual population (Chs. 9 and 10), and sections on homophobia and prejudice (Ch. 2). The strengths approach provides a skills framework that relates to direct practice with all vulnerable people; the text also incorporates diverse racial, as well as sexual, perspectives. Market: For any level of social work practice.

At a time when lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals--often referred to under the umbrella acronym LGBT--are becoming more visible in society and more socially acknowledged, clinicians and researchers are faced with incomplete information about their health status. While LGBT populations often are combined as a single entity for research and advocacy purposes, each is a distinct population group with its own specific health needs. Furthermore, the experiences of LGBT individuals are not uniform and are shaped by factors of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographical location, and age, any of which can have an effect on health-related concerns and needs. The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People assesses the state of science on the health status of LGBT populations, identifies research gaps and opportunities, and outlines a research agenda for the National Institute of Health. The report examines the health status of these populations in three life stages: childhood and adolescence, early/middle adulthood, and later adulthood. At each life stage, the committee studied mental health, physical health, risks and protective factors, health services, and contextual influences. To advance understanding of the health needs of all LGBT individuals, the report finds that researchers need more data about the demographics of these populations, improved methods for collecting and analyzing data, and an increased participation of sexual and gender minorities in research. The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People is a valuable resource for policymakers, federal agencies including the National Institute of Health (NIH), LGBT advocacy groups, clinicians, and service providers.

This book provides an overview of current thought about the psychological issues affecting lesbians, bisexuals, and gay men.

Because homoerotic relations can be found in so many cultures, Gilbert Herdt argues that we should think of these relations as part of the human condition. This new cross-cultural study of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals around the world, Same Sex, Different Cultures provides a unique perspective on maturing and living within societies, both historical and contemporary, that not only acknowledge but also incorporate same-gender desires and relations.Examining what it means to organize ?sex? in a society that lacks a category for ?sex,? or to love someone of the same gender when society does not have a ?homosexual? or ?gay/lesbian? role, Herdt provides provocative new insights in our understanding of gay and lesbians lives. Accurate in both its scientific conceptions and wealth of cultural and historical material, examples range from the ancient Greeks and feudal China and Japan to the developing countries of Africa, India, Mexico, Brazil, and Thailand, from a New Guinea society to contemporary U.S. culture, including Native Americans. For all of these peoples, homoerotic relations emerge as part of culture?and not separate from history or society.In many of these groups, loving or engaging in sexual relations is found to be the very basis of the local cultural theory of ?human nature? and the mythological basis for the cosmos and the creation of society. The mistake of modern Western culture, Gilbert contends, is to continue the legalization of prejudice against lesbians and gays.In this light, the book addresses the issue of ?universal? versus particular practices and reveals positive role models that embrace all aspects of human sexuality. Finally, it offers knowledge of the existence of persons who have loved and have been intimate sexually and romantically with the same gender in other lands through divergent cultural practices and social roles.The most important lesson to learn from this cross-cultural and historical study of homosexuality is that there is room for many at the table of humankind.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people often face unique challenges as they grow older. It is vital that those providing them with care and support understand their needs, wishes and experiences. This book demonstrates how biographical approaches can increase understanding about the distinct perspectives of older LGBT people, enhancing inclusive care and support. Chapters explore people's expectations and fears surrounding care and service provision, the impact of discrimination, and specific issues such as HIV, dementia and end-of-life care. The importance of understanding people's whole lives in order to meet their needs is demonstrated, drawing on the examples of community projects that provide services and build networks. The voices of older LGBT people are heard throughout the book through the use of case examples and original research. This insightful book will be essential reading for all those supporting or caring for older LGBT people, as well as students and researchers in the health and social work fields.

Everybody loves secrets. We're all fascinated by celebrities, the rich, the powerful, and the famous. When scandals break out we want to read all about it. And the surest way to get anyone's attention is to start talking about sex. Now there's a book that has all this and much more, with over 900 amazing stories about prominent people from ancient Egypt to today who, in their personal lives, all had one thing in common. They were all gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Movie stars, musicians, kings, queens, soldiers, athletes, scientists, and even religious leaders from all over the world. The book is called Queers in History. It's a funny title and definitely a fun read. But there's also tons of serious useful information revealing a secret side of these famous personalities. Queers in History reveals the compelling stories about some of your favorite folks that are usually left out of their official biographies. Did you know that, for instance: * Joan Crawford and Marilyn Monroe had a one-night-stand? * Leonardo da Vinci was imprisoned twice for same-sex affairs? * Leonard Bernstein had an affair with an Israeli soldier? * The lesbian wife of a gay actor accused Howard Hughes of having an affair with her husband shortly before his mysterious murder? * The founder of Shinto Buddhism also founded a tradition of male-male love in Japan? * Angelina Jolie wanted to marry her "Firefox" co-star Jenny Shimizu? * The wife of one US president moved her girlfriend into the White House, and another US President shared his White House bed with the male chief of his security detail? * An heroic soldier in the US Revolution was actually a woman in disguise, who "married" another woman after her service in the Continental Army? * And in 1886, when US officials asked an Indian tribe to send "their best woman" to visit Washington, DC, the tribe chose instead to send a man in a dress?These are just a few of the historical facts you'll learn from Queers in History. It took 17 years to gather the information that fills over 500 pages in this trade paperback. One of the most amazing facts is that Queers in History is only $13.67 if you pre-order on Amazon.com . That's a lot less than a penny per fact, all from reliable sources.But Queers in History is much more than a collection of facts. Each person's life is presented as an entertaining short story, showing how their sexuality affected their lives and their work. And though it's about gay people, it's something everybody will be interested in, especially straight people who may not know as much as they think they do about some of their favorite celebrities. The previous edition got rave reviews in USA Today, Wired magazine, The Village Voice, and many others.Put this book on your coffee table before your next party and a few minutes later it will be the main topic of conversation. Just don't put it in the bathroom because the first person in there may lock the door and not come out until they've finished reading it. My name's Keith Stern, I wrote Queers in History, and I've produced some of the most popular biographical websites on the Internet. Sir Ian McKellen, better known as Gandalf and Magneto in the movies, has contributed an inspirational foreword to the book. Visit www.queersinhistory.com for more information.