Handling
Sexual Orientation Concerns
If you or someone you know is questioning his or her sexual
orientation or gender identity, then you probably already know
some of the myths, stereotypes, and social messages we all receive
each and every day regarding how we ought to be. These messages
are direct and indirect, from institutions or from families
and friends, and almost overwhelmingly negative regarding a
gay, lesbian, or bisexual orientation or a transgendered identity.
Questioning your identity or orientation for the first time
can be very frightening, lonely, and difficult. Often you feel
alone with your worries. Often it is difficult or impossible
to get accurate or supportive information about what you are
experiencing. Often it feels like a tremendous risk to share
your feelings with anyone, because gay, lesbian, bisexual, or
transgendered people can be verbally, physically, and/or sexually
harassed by people who have been taught to hate and fear these
kinds of human difference. Sometimes it feels as if you face
losing everything that matters: family relationships, church
relationships, social support.
If you are living in a dorm-type situation with new people,
being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered is probably one
of your biggest anxieties. Even people who are open with their
family and friends understandably have fears about being found
out by a roommate or suitemate, who can react in adverse ways.
It is just one more stressor that can get in the way of your
success at the University of Southern
Mississippi.
At the Student Counseling Services,
we offer support and advocacy for people dealing with sexual
orientation and gender identity issues, as well as group and
individual therapy. We also offer an affirming environment to
anyone who has already dealt with some "coming out"
issues but simply needs a safe place to talk about concerns
such as relationship and communication skills, career and life
issues, or any of the many problems that face all people. We
also think that it is critical that you get information about
what you are experiencing, so that you do not have to be alone.
Please call us at the number listed on this page or e-mail Sidne.Buelow @usm.edu for more information. You can also check out these
web sites for more material on dealing with "coming out"
and other issues:
The
University of New Hampshire Counseling Center
The
State University of New York at Buffalo |
