{"product_id":"a-positive-view-of-lgbtq-9781442212824","title":"A Positive View of LGBTQ","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA Positive View of LGBTQ starts a new conversation about the strengths and benefits of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGTBQ) identities. Positive LGBTQ identities are affirmed through inspiring firsthand accounts. Focusing on how LGTBQ-identified individuals can cultivate a sense of wellbeing and a personal identity that allows them to flourish in all areas of life, the authors explore a variety of themes. Through personal stories from people with a variety of backgrounds and gender and sexual identities, readers will learn more about expressing gender and sexuality; creating strong and intimate relationships; exploring unique perspectives on empathy, compassion, and social justice; belonging to communities and acting as role models and mentors; and, enjoying the benefits of living an authentic life. Providing exercises in each chapter, the book offers those who identify as LGBTQ and those who support and love them, as well as those seeking to better understand them, a\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReading [this book] on LGBTQ identity gave me pause to reflect on the fact that identity is an ongoing issue for all of us—particularly those of us in the LGBTQ community. Perhaps this is particularly true as the mainstream widens to assimilate us. A Positive View of LGBTQ: Embracing Identity and Cultural Well-Being by Ellen D. B. Riggle and Sharon S. Rostosky talks about the unique strengths that being LGBTQ can engender, including looking at relationships differently, having compassion for other oppressed groups based on our own 'outsider' status, and using the introspection that comes from the necessary self-understanding about your sexual orientation or gender identification to be true to yourself in all ways. * The Huffington Post *\u003cbr\u003eI'm deeply impressed with this book. The eight themes provide new ways of exploring LGBT issues, and the personal stories offer context for the themes. The power of this work lies in the combination of the illuminated themes though the voices and the related exercises at the end of each chapter. This is an engaging book for many audiences including educators and trainers, community organizers, and, of course, LGBTQ people and our families. -- Ronni Sanlo Ed.D, UCLA LGBT Center Director Emeritus, UCLA Professor\/retired\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAcknowledgments   1. An Introduction  “There are so many positive things about my identity.”  Asking an Important Question  Multiple Identities and Labels  Minority Stress, Coping, and Resilience Social Context of Minority Stress A Meaningful Life  Overview of the Book   2. Authenticity  “I can be myself and be more authentic with others.”  Discovering Our Authentic Self Living an Authentic Life  Our Authentic Style  Congruent Identity  A Caution  My Inheritance: 34-Year-Old Gay Man from Indiana  Exercises and Activities for Reflection and Practice   3. Self-Awareness, Personal Insight, and Growth  “Deepening my insight into myself has led to positive developments in my life.”  Self-Awareness  Personal Insight  Personal Growth  Questioning Assumptions (and Authority)  Spiritual Growth  What Is Right for Me? 35-year-old “Transsexual Transman” from England Exercises and Activities for Reflection and Practice   4. Freedom to Create New Rules  “I live beyond the binaries.” Breaking the Rules and Creating New Ones  Queering the Rules  New Relationship Scripts  The Positive “No Label”  An Open Identity: 25-Year-Old “Queer Bisexual” from New Jersey  Exercises and Activities for Reflection and Practice   5. Stronger Emotional Connections with Others  “Sharing my true self brings me closer to the people I love.”  Sharing Brings Us Closer  Connecting with Others  Family of Origin  Positive Relationships with Our Kids  Chosen Family  Familiarity with My Partner  Investing in Relationships: 49-year-old “Transsexual” from California, Married for 16 Years  Exercises and Activities for Reflection and Practice   6. Freedom to Explore Relationships and Sexuality  “I can love who I want and create a satisfying relationship.”  New Relationship Rules  A New Family Style  Equal Partners  Exploring Sexual Expression  Same-Sex (Same-Gender) Sexual Understanding  Attraction to the Person  Opportunity to Explore: 45-year-old Bisexual from Pennsylvania  Exercises and Activities for Reflection and Practice   7. Compassion and Empathy  “If I had turned out straight, I doubt I would be the compassionate person I am today.”  Shared Experiences with Prejudice  Gay Men Understanding Their Privilege  A Unique Perspective  Open to the Experiences of Others  My Eyes Opened: 60-Year-Old White, Southern, Gay Man from Virginia  Exercises and Activities for Reflection and Practice   8. Mentors, Role Models, and Activists  “I want to go beyond myself and make a difference.”  Mentoring and Being a Role Model The Model Couple (Modeling Relationships)  Activists for LGBTQ Rights  Social Justice for All  A Mentor and a Role Model: 55-Year-Old Lesbian from Arizona Exercises and Activities for Reflection and Practice   9. Belonging to an LGBTQ Community  “It’s a great community to be a part of.”  Support and Social Networks Five Different Communities to Choose From  Finding Strength in a Diverse Community  One Big Family: 50-year-old “Lesbian, Queer, Dyke” Living in Illinois  Exercises and Activities for Reflection and Practice    10. A Positive View  “This is a very positive part of who I am.”  A Queer Sense of Humor  A Sense of Optimism  Many Cultures and Multiple Identities  Final Thoughts   Notes  Suggested Resources References  Index About the Authors","brand":"Rowman \u0026 Littlefield","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50515839811927,"sku":"9781442212824","price":13.49,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781442212824.jpg?v=1745428044","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/a-positive-view-of-lgbtq-9781442212824","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}