Positive Therapy
Setting the gay record . .. straight!
G
ay Affirmative Therapy for
the Straight Clinician, a new
book by author and Royal
Oak psychotherapist Joe Kort, LMSW,
shows those in helping professions
how to work effectively with lesbian
and gay clients.
Written primarily for mental health
professionals, this book is also useful
for any doctor, teacher, rabbi, nurse or
anyone working directly with lesbian
and gay clients.
As Kort says, "It is not enough
to be gay friendly, you must be gay
informed."
His book helps straight profession-
als work with gays and lesbians by
understanding their families of origin:
"When a gay family member comes
out of the closet, the rest of the fam-
Author Joe Kort
ily immediately goes in," and Kort
instructs how to work with those who
lesbian and gay children endure while
discover that a loved one is lesbian or
growing up.
gay.
Kort explains how most heterosexu-
He also explores the homonega-
als hear the word sex when they hear
tive assumption that an "alternative
the word gay: "A number of times, a
lifestyle" makes for a more difficult
straight man has noticed my wedding
way to live. For gays and
ring and asked if I'm mar-
lesbians, the "alterna-
ried. I'll say, 'Yes, because
tive" of masquerading
I am. When he asks my
ga y
as heterosexuals is
wife's name, I pleasantly
affirm ative tell him I'm married to a
actually harder and can
the raPY
lead to depression and
man whose name is Mike.
for the
self-defeating, even self-
Often, the guy steps back
destructive behavior.
str sight
and exclaims, 'Dude, I'm
"Most people are
not gay!' as if I had a sexual
clini clan
homo-ignorant rather
THE ESSENT 1AL GUIDE
motive or tried to convert
than homophobic," writes
him."
Kort.
When people wish Kort a
MIL
"From birth:' he
Merry Christmas, "I nicely
explains, "the culture imprints us
tell them I am Jewish; whereupon they
to think that heterosexuality is pri-
usually respond politely by saying, 'Oh,
mary and that any other orientation
sorry! Happy Chanukah!' I've never
is inferior. Thus, there's no room for
heard anyone exclaim, 'Dude, I'm not
exploring anything but a heterosexual
Jewish! Are you trying to convert me?"
orientation."
Thus, his incentive for writing this
This leads to lesbians and gays role- book — to help straight readers who
playing heterosexuality and not being
want to help lesbians and gays as indi-
authentic to their true selves.
viduals and couples. 0
What's Featured
Some of the features of Gay
Affirmative Therapy for the Straight
Clinician include understanding the
coming out process, recognizing dam-
aging heterosexual privilege — insti-
tutional, legal and societal where it
exists and exploring the shame and
alienation, isolation and neglect that
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Enjoy gracious dining amid a beautiful
atmosphere of casual elegance
For those interested in buying Gay
and meeting Joe Kort, the Lesbian and
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BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER
Affirmative Therapy for the Straight
Clinician published by WW Norton Books
The Jerry Ross Band
Skyline & The Back Street Horns
OPEN
7 DAYS: MON.- SAT. 7 a.m.- 9:30 p.m. SUN. 8 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Bloomfield Plaza • 6638 Telegraph Road and Maple • 248-851-0313
hold a "bookwarming" on Friday, June 13.
To learn more, call him at (248) 399-7317
1395920
or visit www.joekort.com .
June 12 • 2008
B17