Hello and thank you for visiting my website. In this blog post I want to explain to you what an LGBT+ Affirming Therapist is.
What is an LGBT+ Affirming Therapist?
First of all what does LGBT+ mean and why do I need to know this?
L = Lesbian. G= Gay. B= Bisexual. T= Trans. The + sign stands for a number of other initials like QQIAA. Q can be for Queer, or Questioning. I stands for Intersex. A is often for Asexual and Aromantic, but also is also happily for Ally. If you are part of the LGBT+ community or a conscious ally, you will know this already.
If you are not a conscious ally or part of the LGBT+ community this can still be useful
Knowing that I am an LGBT+ affirming therapist – gives you an indication I might be someone you’d feel safe recommending to your LGBT+ friends and family.
Why not just say LGBT+ Friendly?
The Rainbow Flag outside Comptons in Soho shows that this is a gay pub.
Once upon a time we used to say “Gay Friendly”. For a short time it seemed that was all we had. A Rainbow Flag outside a pub or hotel indicated a relatively “safe space”, or gay-run business. Even some business owners who were not LGBT+ or allies would use the flag as a way of saying “come and spend your pink pounds here”. But things move on – and we recognise and affirm that the world is made of more and gay people or straight people.
To be affirming goes so much further than “your pounds are welcome here”. It says something more like “you are welcome here in your entirety, and we affirm all that you are and all you want to be, we don’t want to change you – you are perfect as your are”.
“Same D.N.A.
But born this way” Lady Gaga