Queering Mental Health
Resources by, for and about 2SLGBTQ+ people
“ Gender is not what people look like to other people; it is what we know ourselves to be. No one else should be able to tell you who you are; that’s for you to decide. ”
On April 21st and 22nd, our very own Kate McDermott attended the Queering Mental Health Conference: Canada’s Leading 2SLGBTQIA+ Conference on Mental Health. The goal of this conference was to move the conversation forward on queer mental health and therapy.
The keynote speaker of the conference was ALOK (they/them). ALOK is an internationally acclaimed author, poet, comedian, and public speaker. As a mixed-media artist, their work explores themes of trauma, belonging, and the human condition. They are brilliant, hilarious, insightful and inspiring and Kate was very excited to hear them speak.
Kate was also happy to connect with other therapists, community supports and allies who all believe in creating better mental health support for queer folks. Kate was able to listen to talks on Play Therapy with Gender Expansive Youth, Spirituality and Queerness, and Therapeutic supports for Bi+ folks and couples. As with any training or conference, Kate has taken away new perspectives, new skills, new connections and new inspiration.
To celebrate this, Kate was willing to share her recommendations for mental health resources that speak to the LGBTQ+ experience…
Books
Babies and Toddlers:
Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer
No matter how a family looks, it is the love that the family members share that is most important.
Ages 4-8:
A Tale of Two Mommies by Vanita Oelschlager
Or
A Tale of Two Daddies by Vanita Oelschlager
Each of these books highlight innocent and curious conversations between children and types of families that are becoming more visible in society.
Ages 8+:
Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg
An essential resource about bodies, gender, and sexuality that opens up conversations between young people and their caregivers that helps provide information about boundaries, safety, and joy.
Ages 10-14:
Ship It by Britta Lundin
Claire, a fangirl obsessed with the show Demon Heart, is hired to join the cast on a publicity tour after a disastrous Q&A at a local Comic-Con panel to help bolster the show’s image within the LGBTQ+ community.
Ages 12+:
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman (Graphic Novels and Netflix Series)
Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. The bestselling LGBTQ+ graphic novel about life, love, and everything that happens in between.
Ages 16+:
Fierce Femmes and Notorious LIars: A dangerous trans girl’s confabulous memoir by Kai Cheng Thom
At once a love letter and challenge to the traditional transgender memoir, Fierce Femmes and Notorious LIars is a playful, surrealist dance through queer coming of age.
Teens and Adults:
Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon
Taking from their own experiences as a gender-nonconforming artist, Alok shows us that gender is a malleable and creative form of expression. The only limit is your imagination.
This book is Gay by Juno Dawson
This candid, funny, and uncensored exploration of sexuality and what it’s like to grow up LGBT also includes real stories from people across the gender and sexual spectrums, not to mention hilarious illustrations.
We have always been here: A Queer Muslim Memoir by Samra Habib
A triumphant memoir of forgiveness and family, both chosen and not, We Have Always Been Here is a rallying cry for anyone who has ever felt out of place and a testament to the power of fearlessly inhabiting one's truest self.
Teaching Tools
A tool for breaking down the big concept of gender into bite-sized, digestible pieces.
YouTube and Ted Talks
LGBT+ “Identity, Attraction and Expression” (Genderbread Person)
The Genderbread Person explained.
“How to talk (and listen) to transgender people” - Jackson Bird
Jackson Bird shares a few ways to think about trans issues to help those who are scared to ask questions or nervous about saying the wrong thing.
“Human Rights Campaign Explains Gender-Affirming Care”
The HRC Foundation creates impact through 11 programs and initiatives, working with individuals and organizations to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people.
“Wanda Sykes Takes Us Through the History of LGBTQ+”
Get to know a little bit about the beginnings of LGBTQ+ and the fight for equality as Wanda Sykes takes us on a journey all the way back to the Middle Ages.
Netflix Documentaries
Disclosure: Trans lives on screen
Leading trans creatives and thinkers share heartfelt perspectives and analysis about Hollywood’s impact on the trans community.
The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson
As she fights the tide of violence against trans women, activist Victoria Cruz probes the suspicious 1992 death of her friend Marsha P. Johnson.
After starting a family of his very own in America, a gay filmmaker documents his loving traditional Chinese family’s process of acceptance.
We honour and respect human rights and we welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two spirit and queer people, and their friends and allies.
We are aware of the unique health care needs of this population who deserve access to specialized services and affirming care.
Using an empowerment-based approach, we offer specialized support services for 2SLGBTQ+ youth 12+, adults and family members with issues like: coming out, questioning gender identity, transitioning, stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges and more. We also offer coaching, counselling and system navigation support for friends, family and allies.
If you’re interested in seeing whether or not online therapy at Cherry Tree Counselling is right for you, we offer free 15 minute consultations.
Connect with us and let’s talk about how we can help you.
