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A Safe Place
for Recovering GLBTis
Recovery from
alcohol, drugs, sex or any other addictions is a
challenge of a lifetime for anyone, but GLBTis, their
spouses, friends and families really have it tough when
they live in smaller towns. They themselves may not even
realize what they’re missing. Well meaning, but
inadequately informed sponsors and mental health
professionals, may erroneously assume an “addict is an
addict” and sexual orientation or gender identity is not
a significant factor. Specialized therapy and support
are almost non-existent.
“For
those living outside of metropolitan areas where there
is a large gay and lesbian population, the feelings of
isolation and lack of social acceptance that many GLBT
people experience can be intensified. These feelings can
be worsened by the further isolation of dealing with
addiction to alcohol, and getting sober itself can be
hampered by imposing a social barrier to the
interpersonal support that is widely regarded as so
important to recovery.
Professional
assistance may be sometimes tainted by the prejudices of
those providing it, or at a minimum be limited by the
caregivers' lack of knowledge of those aspects of the
GLBT society that distinguish it from the larger
straight community. These limitations may become more
pronounced when one seeks assistance from mainstream
sobriety self-help groups, where prejudices and lack of
knowledge can be more glaring in lay men and women who,
though sober, may lack professional helping skills.”
-- Gayalcoholics.com
Having to remain
silent about how their identity plays into their
addictions, is a costly withhold and a harsh reality for
most. Often denied a safe place free of bigotry, they
may struggle to attend local meetings, but are fearful
to discuss the role their personal relationships may
play in their recovery. There is a need to explore and
come to understand how withstanding social bias may
actually increase the temptation to fall back on the
"comfort" of numbing their pain, sometimes with more
than one addiction. Recovery becomes much more complex
and difficult, and if required to continue denying
integral aspects of who and what they experience in
their daily lives, how can they find healing?
It is imperative
to help create safe and supportive environments for
GLBTis and their loved ones. With that goal in mind,
starting this Spring, at least one regular meeting will
be held on every Diversity Weekend in Eureka Springs,
Arkansas. Diversity Pride Events has enlisted the help
of Marty Perry, Exec Director of the Pride Institute,
one of the top experts in this field. Mr. Perry will
attend SPRING ‘07 DIVERSITY WEEKEND and present a short
½ hour presentation for GLBTis & their Sponsors, friends
and families on Saturday April 14, 2007 at 10am. An hour
“Recovery in Pride” self-help group style meeting for
GLBTs will follow.
In addition, Mr. Perry will return the following weekend
during the 31st Annual “SPRINGTIME IN THE
OZARKS” Convention, 4/19 – 22, 2007. On Saturday April
21, 2007 at 3pm, for the first time, there will be a
special one hour presentation for *Mental
Health Professionals, Sponsors, & Allies of
GLBTis in Recovery. An hour “Recovery in
Pride” self-help group style meeting for GLBTs will
follow. (*Attn Mental Health Professionals and Sponsors,
please RSVP for the presentation, so we will have an
idea of size of space needed)
Spring Diversity Weekend
SAT 4-14-07
10am to Noon
-
Topic:
Chemical Dependency / Mental Health In Our (LGBT)
Community
-
30 minute presentation followed by a 1 hour LGBT AA
style meeting
-
Audience:
LGBT and Allies attending Diversity Weekend
This brief
presentation will address why addictive behavior has
become so prevalent in the LGBT community (studies
estimate 25-50% of LGBT people struggle with an
addictive behavior in their lifetime). Understanding how
LGBT identity develops will guide us to what our needs
may be as adults. For many, these unmet needs fuel
addictive behavior and create barriers to successful
recovery. Treatment, 12-Step support, and therapy will
be discussed as options to overcoming addiction and
leading healthier lives.
“Springtime
in the Ozarks” Convention
SAT 4-21-07
3pm to 5pm
-
Topic:
Chemical Dependency in the LGBT Community
-
I hour presentation followed by a 1 hour LGBT AA
style meeting
-
Audience:
Mental Health Professionals, Sponsors, Allies in
Recovery
This
presentation will cover addictive behaviors and how they
manifest in the LGBT population. Studies show that
alcohol and drug addiction occurs in 6-8% of the
mainstream population; in the LGBT population, however,
addiction occurs in 18-24% of the population -- three
times that in the mainstream population. Said another
way, approximately 1 in 4 LGBT individuals (25%) have an
addictive behavior issue at some point in their lives.
Many studies suggest that this estimate is low; that
true numbers may be nearer 40-50%, especially in urban
areas.
In order to
address chemical dependency issues in the LGBT
community, we must first understand the complex factors
associated with chemical dependency in this specific
population. Co-occurrence with depression / anxiety,
internalized heterosexism, identity / self-esteem
issues, and sexual issues need to be addressed
simultaneously with the chemical dependency to assure
optimal chances for successful recovery.
Identifying /
developing LGBT-friendly resources is a critical need of
our communities if LGBT people are to have successful
recoveries. In rural areas, developing networks of LGBT
allies (therapists, sponsors, friends) is an important
first step in the process. It is especially important
that mental health professionals develop competence in
LGBT issues in order to assist this important specialty
population.
Biography for
Marty J. Perry, M.S.,
L.P.C.
March 2007
Marty received a
Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Oklahoma State
University in 1985 and then received a Master’s degree
in Counseling Psychology from the University of North
Texas in 1994. While completing his Master’s degree,
Marty sought out an internship placement at Oak Lawn
Community Services (OLCS), a gay and lesbian counseling
organization in Dallas, Texas. He eventually was hired
by OLCS as a licensed professional counselor; and, in
1994, developed Texas’ first out-patient sexual
compulsivity treatment program for gay men. In June of
1999, Marty joined Pride Institute as the director of
its Texas program. Marty worked at the Texas Pride
(which specializes in chemical dependency and
psychiatric care for the LGBT population) as well as
maintained a small private practice in Dallas up until
his transition to Pride Institute headquarters in
December of 2003. Marty is currently the Chief Executive
Officer of Pride Institute in Minneapolis, MN –
overseeing the clinical programs and operations of the
four (4) Pride Institute programs located in
metropolitan areas throughout the country.
In addition to his work at Pride Institute, Marty has
authored an academic article (published in Sexual
Addiction & Compulsivity: The Journal of Treatment and
Prevention) as well as numerous articles
published in the LGBT media. He has presented at
professional conferences throughout the nation on issues
affecting LGBT mental health and consulted with
organizations on LGBT issues. Marty is also actively
involved as a Board Member of the National Association
of Gay / Lesbian Addiction Professionals (NALGAP).
Both presentations are completely free of charge.
Please help spread the word.
We welcome
volunteers and encourage emails with any other
resources for the GLBTi community with details and
contact person/s to
Recovery@diversitypride.com
.
Relevant Links:
http://www.pride-institute.com
http://www.hp-h.com/p/arkansasaa/springtime.htm
http://www.diversitypride.com
PRESENTATIONS & MEETINGS at The Chalet Room
RODEWAY INN - SWISS HOLIDAY RESORT
2015 East Van Buren Eureka Springs, AR 72632
479-253-9501
(NOTE
motel map
for parking & meeting location)
**ASK
FOR SPECIAL
“DIVERSITY
DISCOUNT RATES”
ON LODGING
CONTACT INFO:
Deborah Rose
479-253-2555
deborah@diversitypride.com
DIVERSITY PRIDE EVENTS
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