Gay Mental Healthcare Providers and Patients in the Military by Elspeth Cameron Ritchie Joseph E. Wise & Bryan Pyle

Author:Elspeth Cameron Ritchie, Joseph E. Wise & Bryan Pyle
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Springer International Publishing, Cham

Onward and Upward

I was fortunate to complete my clinical training in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, an area with a tireless LGBT pride organization and community. Many people in the area were attuned to the needs of the community, even if they themselves were not card-carrying members. My colleagues sought consultation on LGBT-related topics, attended local events, or simply inquired earnestly about aspects of the culture, such as the origin and definition of “Yas kween.” Although it holds the potential to be intrusive or burdensome, these kinds of consultations were welcomed, even if sometimes I would subsequently text a friend to say, “Gurl, get this…”

It is crucial to have trusted colleagues to turn to and lean on as needed when navigating these situations or others that may present in the context of general military training or clinical care. Like, Gurl, get this: Mandatory online training now includes information about Pre-exposure Prophylaxis to help people lower the risk of HIV infection—we betta werk.

Or, Gurl get this: A devout Christian patient sexually involved with another young man reported his most recent fainting episode occurred immediately upon viewing a rainbow after his lover invited him outside following a thunderstorm. Unreal! In short , to have in your corner a boon who understands the distinct joy of queening out to a pop diva through your headphones while working out at the base gym among the stone-cold heterosexual is imperative.

During my training, I also had the opportunity to co-facilitate a support group for transgender service members. Establishment of the group was a courageous effort from both the small team of professionals who put forth the initiative, the department leadership, and perhaps more importantly, the group members. Each member struggled to stand in the space of uncertain but forward motion regarding transition process, keeping an individual posture while managing their workplace duties and their personal lives. You can imagine the kind of overwhelming rush felt by a group member who had never met another trans service member, let alone a half dozen all at once. Or the glow exhibited by a retired chief transwoman who presented in a manner consistent with her gender identity on a military installation for the first time after over 20 years in service. As Rihanna would say, they shined bright like a diamond.

The repeal of the ban on transgender service members was met with excitement, joy, relief, and impatience, confusion, and frustration among group members. For some, impatience triggered the next logical questions: So what now? And what next? It was a blank stare in the direction of authority for some guidance on a way through this. For others, the repeal called for celebration as they experienced recognition and inclusivity: You can, in fact, sit with us.

The group took to considering themselves “trailblazing guinea pigs ” a metaphor that captures their pioneering and playful spirit and also embodies the unfortunate comparison to something other than human (albeit a cute, domesticated comparison). It is our task as mental health professionals to foster the resilience and provide a space to feel and be more simply human than otherwise.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.