Welcome
Message from the President of ALGBTIC, Pete Finnerty, MS, LPC
Welcome to ALGBTIC website! We hope it will be an invaluable tool to connect you to LGBTQQIA issues in counseling including the journal, the newsletter, LGBTQQIA resources and our brand new set of “Competencies for Counseling with LGBQQIA Individuals”. You can now find this new expanse of LGBTQQIA literature on our Resources tab along with many other items that have been added recently.
During our Past President Amney Harper’s term the website underwent a massive transformation and we are very excited to share it with you! ALGBTIC members can now access the Journal for LGBT Issues in Counseling online. Each member can have their own login, which will allow them to access current and past issues of the journal. Simply go to the Journal tab and follow instructions there to set up a login and account access!
The presidential initiative of this year, ally development, is something very near and dear to my heart in these times of school bullying, community violence and legislation that undermines the LGBTQIQA community. Ally development is pertinent to the creation of safe spaces for LGBTQIQA persons (particularly youth) in our schools, communities and counseling offices. This year I hope to expand ALGBTIC’s efforts to create allies in our communities through the new Ally Development Taskforce that will begin it’s work by creating more literature and advocacy efforts. This taskforce will be led by Amanda Brace and Amber Pope. I hope to hear from all of you regarding your personal piece of ALGBTIC’s continual process to advocate for our clients, members and LGBTQIQA communities.
Our committees continue their excellent work this year. Here’s an update on what they have been developing. The Presidential Safe Schools Committee (led by Kris Goodrich, Melissa Luke and Anneliese A. Singh) continues its fruitful work by developing a pool of resources for school counselors to work with students within the academic institutions served. The LGBTQQIA Affirmative Counseling & Social Justice Committee (formed by Past-President Mike Chaney and led by Joel Filmore and Kris Goodrich) has continued developing literature and advocating for LGBTQQIA clients and the community as a whole by adding resources and literature to the ALGBTIC site. The Transgender Committee (led by co-chairs Sean Moundas and Stacee Reicherzer) has been continually creating projects such as podcasts on transgender issues. The Technology Committee (led by Pia Smal and Jillian Blum) is continuing to develop new ways of outreach through electronic means including podcasts and blog posts. The Membership Committee is now led by two energetic co-chairs (Maiko Xiong & Matt Branfield) and looking to create more opportunities for members to be involved and offer our members and clients more value. The State Branch Committee (led by Tara Hill and Sam Sanabria) continues work assisting in the development of state branches of ALGBTIC. This last year we have welcomed Oklahoma and also have several other branches ready to form!
As we go forward I look to what we can accomplish this coming year and welcome all voices from our members to our clients. I believe in a shared vision of leadership rooted in a community of many, thus I hope to hear from all of you this year. We will have openings on nearly every committee and taskforce and I welcome all members to participate in our growing organization. There are many ways to be active, from participating on a committee or taskforce to developing a state branch of your own to assist counselors and clients in your backyard. This is a characteristic I hope to employ in these times of continual debate about counseling with LGBTQ persons on listserves, courts of law, halls of government and the classroom. I hope to see many of you at the ACA national conference in Cincinnati where we will have several wonderful ALGBTIC events!
Please feel free to email me with any questions, ideas or concerns at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Since some of the peaceful self-care activities I partake in are long-distance running events and triathlons I will utilize the following analogy for this coming year: although the road ahead may be challenging, full of peaks and valleys we sustain ourselves through a common vision of completing our own team goals rather than worrying about those who wish to beat us.
Pete Finnerty MS, LPC, NCC
President, Assoc. of LGBT Issues in Counseling (ACA)
Doctoral Candidate-Kent State University
Licensed Professional Counselor-Counseling For Wellness-Kent, OH
Hello ALGBTIC Members,
As the seasons change I am reminded of how transformative human and environmental interaction can be. Watching the images and hearing the stories from colleagues and friends regarding Hurricane Sandy's devastation on the East Coast and Atlantic has made me think of how we are all connected in one way or the other. The incredible outpouring of support from those across the country and globe reminds me of how many respond to their responsibility to others. I'd like to offer the links below if you wish to donate your time or resources to the efforts. Even if you don't utilize the Red Cross please note the possibility of other organizations.
There are always things you can do in your own community such as raising funds, donating needed supplies or as counselors we can also gain experience in crisis counseling and become certified as a Red Cross Mental Health Volunteers. You can find out more at the American Counseling Association (ACA) link below or at your local Red Cross office about certification. ACA also holds a training every year at the annual ACA Conference so one can become certified. As the disasters seem to occur nearly every year around the globe becoming trained through several avenues can allow a counselor opportunities to help those in immediate need.
http://www.counseling.org/sub/dmh/redcross.aspx
As I see people struggling through the effects of intense weather I am specifically reminded of those who are disproportionately affected or who face additional barriers and challenges in our country, including those in the LGBTQQIA community. I try to stay out of political conversations while wearing my Presidential hat but at the same time there are present issues with Election Day only a couple days away that are of specific concern for our community. The referendums and candidates will affect our and our clients’ communities for years, if not decades, to come. Four states have referendums on marriage equality, others have local and state initiatives to grant or limit rights to LGBTQQI couples, families, and individuals. There are also conversations at the national, regional, state and local levels going on about which candidates for office are more attuned to LGBTQQIA needs. Whatever end of the political spectrum you are on I highly encourage you to be an informed voter and remember what your votes cast represent for our clients, community and the nation.
ALGBTIC and ACA have been involved in several issues in the country including the recently passed legislation in Arizona that allows counselors to discriminate against clients for religious reasons. ALGBTIC is also actively involved in the similar "Julea Ward Freedom of Conscience Act" in Michigan that passed the Michigan House of Representatives and is awaiting consideration in the Senate chamber. ALGBTIC is active in sending letters to legislators and working alongside other organizations in combating these federal, state and local issues.
Although we have some challenges ahead there are also some excellent accomplishments to note! ALGBTIC has partnered with GAYLESTA, a group in California who was a large part in challenging therapists who utilize reparative or conversion therapy. In early October Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law a ban on utilizing conversion and other sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) with minors. The governor even called SOCE therapeutic interventions "quackery". This shows progress on these issues from the legislators and shows how we “be the change we wish to see” noted by Ghandi. If you are interested in working with us on any of these issues please email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it !
Currently we have two committees that are working from different angles on these types of issues. Our LGBTQ Affirmative Therapy and Social Justice Committee has worked tirelessly to both promote affirmative therapeutic modalities and combat SOCE interventions. On the prevention end of the spectrum our new Ally Development Taskforce is developing initiatives to create safe spaces for our clients and engage many counselors and others in being outstanding allies in our schools, agencies and community settings on all systemic levels. Please be looking for the "Competencies for Counseling with LGBQIQA Individuals" shortly in our Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling. We are also looking for ALGBTIC members to participate in disseminating the new competencies at state conferences, in their workplaces and communities. Overall we are making significant progress towards equality and ending discrimination for our clients and in many cases ourselves. I pledge to keep up the good work and hope you will join ALGBTIC and I in making our future better for those who come after us and those who walk into our offices and classrooms each day. Please keep those affected by Sandy and all injustices in your hearts.
Sincerely,
Pete Finnerty MS, LPC, NCC
President, Assoc. of LGBT Issues in Counseling (ACA)
Doctoral Candidate-Kent State University
Licensed Professional Counselor-Counseling For Wellness-Kent, OH