George Turner, certified sex therapist, speaks at PFLAG: Coming Out: A Journey of Worthiness

George Turner, LSCSW/LCSW, certified sex therapist at Turner Professional Group, (www.turnerprofessionalgroup.com) will present Coming Out: A Journey of Worthiness at the next PFLAG program on Oct. 9, 3pm at Village Presbyterian Church. Coming Out is a life-changing and life-long journey that begins when you first realize that you are gay, lesbian bisexual, or transgender… and utter the possibility of being LGBT to yourself. The act of coming out of the closet is not a single event but rather has many acts; and it is also a journey that our straight allies travel. For allies, coming out and defending LGBT persons can be just as difficult.

George shares that learning to live OUT is a process often clouded with shame. Removing that mask of shame and giving voice to your true authentic self is often traveled in incremental steps forward with painful retreats backwards. George will explore how coming out is but one journey that is essentially the universal search for worthiness; a desire to be valued, respected and loved! Participants both LGBT persons and their allies will learn about the coming out process; and most importantly both seasoned travelers and those just beginning their journey will enrich their journey by learning how to better deal with the unique challenges faced in their adventure.

George is a leading sexual health consultant, educator and clinician. He works with both couples and individuals in the areas of relationship enhancement, sexual health and personal wellness. George has
developed a spa-like, holistic wellness center where leading therapists, trainers and consultants guide clients to design personal and professional growth. Additionally, his team provides consultation to school districts and non-profits on topics such as: diversity, team building, and strategic plan-ning. George’s expertise in comprehensive, positive sexuality allows him to help people with diverse issues such as: infertility, erection dysfunction, painful intercourse, premature ejaculation, coming out, fantasy negotiations, menopause, and infidelity.

George welcomes the PFLAG family to take advantage of a FREE phone consultation. You can contact him or his team at: 816.931.8255 or by email: George@turnerprofessionalgroup.com. His office located on the Plaza/ Westport area is convenient to the entire metro area.

A Place to Find Support & Acceptance
PFLAG-KC general meetings are held on the second Sunday of each month at 3:00pm at The Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Room 307 (enter SE door), Prairie Village KS 66208, 913.262.4200.The meeting rooms are wheelchair accessible. PFLAG-KC board meetings are held at 1:30pm before the general meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend and add their ideas.

Meetings are all inclusive & non-denominational.

For more information call our help line: 816.765.9818.

Write us at:

PFLAG-KC
PO Box 414101
Kansas City MO 64141
www.pflagkc.org
pflagkc@pflagkc.org

Parents Coming Out to Their Kids

Parents who come after having kids often need additional support. Here are few resources:

Parents 'coming out' to thier kids may be challenging for some.

A. Curve Magazine

B. Colage

"The first thing to note is that it is really terrific that you are taking time to consider how to sensitively approach coming out to your kids.* Here at COLAGE we have found that as children, we really want to know the truth about our parents’ sexual orientation, and usually we have some idea before you even tell us! But just because we want to know doesn’t mean that we always are thrilled about the situation, especially initially. It can signify a big change in the family, especially when accompanied with all the transitions that come with a divorce or break-up. Here are some tips to keep in mind that might help:

It’s never too early to come out to your child/ren. Kids understand love. What they don’t understand is deception or hiding. And it’s never too late to come out to your child. COLAGE has met folks in their forties whose parents are just now coming out to them. A lot of mysteries are being solved, and missing puzzle pieces falling into place for these families. Often knowing the truth will be a relief for kids of all ages.

1. Tell your child/ren in a private space where the conversation can’t be overheard and will be completely confidential. Telling them at your regular Saturday night dinner at your favorite restaurant will be overwhelming."

C. List of Books for Kids of Gay Parents

For Children Of A Gay Parent.

*Coping When A Parent Is Gay. Deborah A Miller, Ph D
*There's Something I've been Meaning To Tell You. Laralee Pike.

D. Other Helpful Books

Gay Help Books For Parents, Friends And Families Of Gay,
Lesbian And Bisexual Children

* Family Secrets: Gay Sons – A Mother’s Story Jean M Baker. Haworth Press, 1997
*How Homophobia Hurts Children: Nurturing Diversity at Home and at School Jean Baker. Harrington Park Press, 2002
*Straight Parents, Gay Children: Keeping Families Together
Robert A Bernstein, Thunder’s Mouth Press, 1995
*Straight Parents, Gay Children: Inspiring Families to Live Honestly and with Pride Robert Bernstein, Thunder’s Mouth Press, 2003
*Family Outing Chastity Bono. Little, Brown and Company, 1999
*Adolescence: A Guide For Parents Michael Carr-Gregg and Erin Shale. Shale Finch Publishing, 2002
*Loving Someone Gay D Clark. Celestial Arts, 1997
*Our Daughter Martha: A Family Struggles with Coming Out Marcy Clements Henrickson. Pilgrim Press, 2001
*A Mother Looks at the Gay Child Jesse Davis. New Falcon Publications, 1997
*Love, Ellen: A Mother/Daughter Journey Betty Degeneres. Quill, 2000
*Now That You Know Betty Fairchild and Nancy Hayward. Harvest Books, 1998
*Not Like Other Boys: Growing Up Gay – A Mother and Son Look Back Marlene Fanta Shyer and Christopher Shyer. Alyson Books, 1997
*Coming Out, Coming Home Joan Golding and Peter Wood. Spectrum, 1998
*Out of the Twilight: Father’s of Gay Men Speak Andrew Gottlieb. Haworth Press, 2000
*Beyond Acceptance: Parents of Lesbians and Gays Talk About Their Experiences Griffen et al. St Martin’s Press, 1997
*Is it a Choice? Eric Marcus. Harper San Francisco, 1999
*What if Someone I Know Is Gay? Eric Marcus. Price Stern Sloan Publications, 2000
*My Child is Gay Bryce McDougall (ed). Independent Publishers Group, 1998
*Different Daughters: A Book by Mothers of Lesbians Louise Rafkin (ED). Cleis Press, 2001
*Out of the Closet, Into Our Hearts: Celebrating Our Gay/Lesbian Family Members
Laura Siegel and Nancy Lamkin Olson. Leyland Publications, 2001
*Coming Out As Parents: You and Your Homosexual Child David K Switzer. Westminster John Knox Press, 1997
*Friends and Family: True Stories of Gay America’s Straight Allies Dan Woog. Alyson Books, 1999