An interesting anniversary

Last night my husband and I recognized our 37th year together. It was an odd anniversary as I'd asked Tom if we could celebrate earlier in the day with a matinee movie and dinner prior to attending the Second Annual Napa LGBTQ Gathering. We'd missed their first big meeting last October as I'd purchased non-refundable tickets to a comedy show for that evening. Again this year, the date landed on our anniversary. We learned last night that Oct 11th is "National Coming Out" day ... news to us!

The young woman facilitating at our table was charming, even though there were only three in our group (Tom, me and another woman). At one point we were discussing what sorts of services would be important to a local Community Center focusing on the special needs of the LGBTQ community. The other member of our group felt that there was no need for specialized support services at such a Center, as this would be a duplication of offerings already available in the area. I used eating disorders as an example when attempting to explain to her why existing service providers may not be aware of the special needs of the LGBTQ community.

When I finished explaining how in my graduate Counseling Psychology Program I had received zero training in the treatment of eating disorders, the most deadly of all psychiatric diagnosis, and that the needs of LGBTQ community were equally under-represented, the response from our table-mate was quite surprising. She exclaimed, "Oh my gosh! I would never have eaten the cupcake if I'd known your specialty was eating disorders!!"

This is not the first time that someone has confused my eating disorder focus with the "food police." I was quick to assure her that I was thrilled that she'd had a cupcake...that I, too, would have had one had I not just enjoyed such a filling dinner. Yet, it seemed that my words fell on deaf ears. She excused herself and left the meeting shortly thereafter.

Many of the high school students I worked with during the years before leaving public education "came out" to me during our body image work. It was painfully apparent that there was an enormous need in our community for gay et al youth to have a safe place to go and "be." But it is continually apparent that there is just as great a need for eating disorder awareness and education.

And thus our work continues...

Sending blessings until next time,

Doris