Straight Parent, Gay Kid

Making Nice

By Wesley Cullen Davidson | October 7, 2011

Your teen has been in school for almost a month now. As a parent, you worry about him being treated as an outsider. Is he being bullied? Does he only hang out with only girls? Are his only friends, like him, forced into a segregated minority of gays and lesbians?What is a parent to do?…

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What Cuomo Has Wrought Let No Town Clerk Put Asunder

By Wesley Cullen Davidson | October 5, 2011

Town Clerk Rose Marie Belforti at work Deirdre DiBiaggio, who owns a Finger Lakes working farm, decided she wanted to get married to her lover of ten years, a filmmaker. So, she went to the Town Clerk’s office in nearby Ledyard, New York, to apply for a marriage license. The Town Clerk, Rose Marie Belforti,…

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Caspian

Caspian Julius, Welcome!

By Wesley Cullen Davidson | October 4, 2011

The announcement read: “Baby and parents are doing well, baby has learned to cry already. No gifts please, just nice thoughts for Caspian, humankind, the planet, and the universe.”   Caspian Julius was born on September 30, 2011. I don’t know if he was produced by artificial insemination or adoption. Nor does the public. What…

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DADT

Ding, Dong! The Wicked DADT Is Dead!

By Wesley Cullen Davidson | September 23, 2011

The Military Thought You Had To Be Straight to Shoot Straight Gays in the military have been fighting an uphill battle since 1982 when The Department of Defense officially put in writing that “homosexuality was incompatible with military service.” Between 1993 with the Clinton era compromise “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and the 2011 repeal…

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Parental Homework for Anti-Bullying Defenses

By Wesley Cullen Davidson | September 21, 2011

On my last post, I gave readers tips and links for parents to practice anti-bullying defenses at home with their teen. Now, I am giving you additional suggestions from Donna A. Henderson, Professor at Wake Forest’s Counseling Department: To find out what’s going on at school, and what types of situations your child may face,…

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Anti-Bullying Tactics Begin At Home

By Wesley Cullen Davidson | September 21, 2011

Whether it’s “cyberbullying,” or bullying in person, Lisa Furst, LMSW, Director of Education with the Mental Health Association of New York City (MHA-NYC), has these suggestions for parents to practice—yes, practice. Here’s her homework for parents: Talk daily to your teen and find about their school lives and their relationships with friends and peers.  …

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When the Fail-Safes Fail at Your Child’s School

By Wesley Cullen Davidson | September 7, 2011

Last week, I wrote about the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) which promotes safety in schools through its programs. Unfortunately, as a parent, you can’t assume that these programs will be put into play. Many schools don’t have the interest or the comfort level to implement those GLBT regulations often regarded as inciting controversy….

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Reading, Writing, and Harassment

By Wesley Cullen Davidson | August 26, 2011

Your gay child may ace Algebra I this year, but don’t think his social life will be as easy.  According to a 2009 survey by the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN), nearly two thirds of gay and lesbian teens feel unsafe in school. Unfortunately, untrained teachers, and even principals, in middle and high schools…

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No General Swim, Lanyards at This Camp. Just Drama and Horror Stories at the Campsites!

By Wesley Cullen Davidson | August 1, 2011

While the “dog days of August” may seem like the perfect time to send your(gay) child to camp, don’t be tempted by ex-gay camps! You may be a Molotov cocktail of emotions at this time: sadness, fear, disbelief, guilt, shame, right? But whatever you’re feeling, don’t think your child’s sexual orientation is a problem that…

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Your Child Came Out, YOU Blew It! Tips to Recover

By Wesley Cullen Davidson | July 23, 2011

Your son or daughter came out to you and you were so shocked that you were tongue-tied. Or, more commonly, you reacted by getting angry and saying things that smack of denial such as “You can’t be! You’re too young to know!” Studies have showed that 2/3 of parents who are caught off-guard do not…

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