As we near Valentine’s Day we see a sudden urgency to find someone to spend it with. It becomes like a need to be in a relationship. It’s all we think about and think we need. In this mindset we often sacrifice the greatest relationship that we can have, the one with ourselves. We have … Continue reading The Most Important Relationship
Safety and Dating Apps
As technology has changed and become more portable, our interactions with people have also changed. We spend more time looking down at our phone than paying attention to where we are walking. We talk to people online more than we do face to face, leaving verbal communication painfully awkward at times. Gone are the days … Continue reading Safety and Dating Apps
Toxic Masculinity
Psychology defines toxic masculinity as traditional cultural masculine norms that can be harmful to men, women, and society overall; this concept of toxic masculinity is not intended to demonize men or male attributes, but rather to emphasize the harmful effects of conformity to certain traditional masculine ideal behaviors such as dominance, self reliance, and competition. … Continue reading Toxic Masculinity
Taking Stock
As the year cycles to an end, it is usually at this time that we reflect on the year that has passed and those that are close to us. While the world around us has been filled with struggles and strife, my own personal one has been filled with surprises and new beginnings. These events … Continue reading Taking Stock
Thanksgiving?
The holiday season is upon us and for me one of my more favorites of them is Thanksgiving. That being said, in a moment we will also discuss why I very much dislike this holiday. This is the one holiday where friends and family come together to share a meal. A time to take stock … Continue reading Thanksgiving?
Decking the Halls for Mental Health
As LGBTQ people, we usually end up picking our own family as we move through our lives. I have said it before, that was the single best lesson I was taught by my first boyfriend and I still carry it with me today. Each of us come from places where we may not have the … Continue reading Decking the Halls for Mental Health
Where Are Your Role Models?
Its hard growing up queer, truly it is. We look at our straight counterparts who have a multitude of icons to look up to, but for us our icons and heroes hardly make it to any spotlight. We must dig though queer histories and do research to even begin to see there are more of … Continue reading Where Are Your Role Models?
History of LGBTQ in Appalachia
We often hear coming out stories from the south and how bad it is, we hear stories from LGBTQ people of north eastern areas, west coast, and big cities, we often don’t hear of the in between places like the coal fields of West Virginia. The fringe places where religion has a strong hold and … Continue reading History of LGBTQ in Appalachia
Sexual Orientation: Myth vs. Facts
In honor of it being National LGBTQ History Month I thought I would dedicate my blog to sharing coming out stories, facts and or questions about coming out, LGBTQ history tidbits, and things that are important but feel good at the same time. So, sit back, read, and as always let me know what you … Continue reading Sexual Orientation: Myth vs. Facts
Personal Healing.
How do the following statements make you feel? You are pleased with a colleague tell you they had no idea you were gay. Your father praises you for having straight friends as well as gay friends, and you feel great he said that. You think, for a moment, that its okay for a store to … Continue reading Personal Healing.
Gay in the CLE 