I’m judicious in my posting of press releases, especially about purely local events (otherwise, I’d do nothing but post press releases), but this one is in a major city and runs for several months, so I’m passing it along. I know nothing about the organization or their programs, but they have a good group of speakers, which bodes well. Any further questions, please contact ihi as below.
ihi (the institute for human identity) Announces its 2nd, Annual Family Q Workshop Program for LGBTQ Parents
This year, the Grounding-Breaking, Affirmative Family Q Program Includes a Broader Spectrum of Free Workshops, Starting in October 2009, in NYCihi (the institute for human identity), the pioneering, professional mental health service, proudly announces the launch of its second, annual, free Family Q support program (www.ihi-therapycenter.org/familyq/about.html). This year, Family Q includes a wider range of workshops and counseling for LGBTQ parents and prospective parents.
The program takes place at ihi’s Manhattan office (322 Eighth Avenue, at West 26th Street, Suite 802). Starting at 7:00 PM, workshops are held on the third Wednesday of each month from October through May. Reservations are requested (212-243-2830, ihi-lgbt@juno.com).
The Family Q workshops are led by esteemed mental health experts, most of whom combine their expertise with their own practical experience of being LGBTQ parents themselves. Consequently, the program is singularly designed to alert participants to the emotional issues they and their children will face and give them the insights and tools needed for productive family building.
Family Q also provides free-of-charge, follow-up counseling for workshop participants who would like more support in handling some of the emotional complexities with which LGBTQ parents must deal. Ihi is pleased that this program is available without cost to our community through the generous funding of the New York State Department of Health.
[Program schedule after the jump.]. . .
2009 Family Q Workshop Schedule
October 21
Whose Child Is It Anyway? – Suzanne Johnson, Ph.D.
Q parents usually have to make complicated decisions about how to have children. Does a couple adopt together? Is one a biological parent through pregnancy or sperm donation to a surrogate while the other an adoptive parent? The way the family is formed affects the individuals in terms of their identity as a parent. Do parenting tasks and responsibilities get divided, do the individuals involved have satisfying experiences of parenting free from excess conflict or competition? Do both parents feel equally adequate and valid? This workshop will explore the special issues brought up by sharing parenting in LGBTQ relationships, and defining parenting roles that are inclusive and loving.November 18
When Parents Come Out of the Closet – April Martin, Ph.D.
As loving parents who are LGBTQ, how do we discuss our sexual orientation or gender with our children and also address the concerns of other family members and individuals, such as teachers or social workers, who want to insure children’s best interests?December 16
Heather Has Two Daddies- Adam Benson, Psy.D.
Society and also gay men commonly assume that all children need “mothering.” But if so, are gay daddies not suitable figures to kiss a child’s “boo-boo” or in whom a growing daughter can confide about her budding sexual maturity? This workshop will expose these underlying concerns and help daddies overcome their self-imposed sense of inadequacy about parenting.2010 Family Q Workshop Schedule
January 20
Everything Your Kids Always Wanted to Know About Sex – Terry Boggis
Gay or straight parents may talk to their kids about reproduction yet hesitate to discuss sex and sexual pleasure. Queer parents have an added hesitation: They have been made to feel that there is something “wrong” and “disgusting” if not downright illegal about the way they make love. The session will explore the types of questions that children often ask and help address LGBTQ parental anxieties about answering them.February 17
The Shadow in the Family Photo – Elizabeth Margolies, LCSW
Children have a natural curiosity about their origins. As more LGBTQ families conceive through the help of donor sperm and eggs, queer parents need strategies to help them deal with the complexities of identity and relationships that come up.March 17
What Will the Neighbors Think? – Elizabeth O’Connor, Ph.D
A major concern of LGBTQ parents regarding their children is that they will be teased or harassed because of their parents’ sexuality. This workshop will explore the experiences children of gay and lesbian parents have with the outside world and how parents can successfully deal with the challenges of others’ prejudices.April 21
When Q Families Break Up – Julie Schwartzberg
After a queer family breaks up, will there be a primary parent or will parenting be shared? Do equal but separate parenting arrangements work out when there are not equal biological claims on the child? Issues for LGBTQ parents who are currently in the process of splitting up will also be addressed.May 19
It’s All Relative(s) – Lee Crespi, LCSW
Parents want the relationship between their relatives and their children to be loving, but what if the grandparents, uncles and aunts harbor homophobic feeling? Or what if previously skeptical relatives experience a positive change of heart when the “queer outcasts” become parents?