Same-Sex Parenting:  The Issues Explained

“Same-Sex Parenting:  The Issues Explained,” is the title of a series of lunch and learn workshops designed to inform educators, health and human service providers as well as community members, about the unique issues faced by lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender (LGBT) families.  There is no cost for the program but registration is required. Attendees will hear a one-hour presentation by clinician, author and educator Ari (Arlene) Istar Lev, LCSW, CASAC from 11:30 am to 1:30 PM.  Lunch will be provided.   Please provide your contact information so we can confirm your attendance by completing our on line registration form.

Future dates and locations:
Utica, NY, Friday, May 16
Programs run from 11:30am to 2pm

Speaker Biography

Arli (Arlene) Istar Lev LCSW, CASAC, is a social worker, family therapist, educator, and writer whose work addresses the unique therapeutic needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. She is the founder of Choices Counseling and Consulting ( www.choicesconsulting.com ) in Albany, New York, providing family therapy for LGBT people and is on the adjunct faculties of S.U.N.Y. Albany, School of Social Welfare and Vermont College of the Union Institute and University. She is the author of The Complete Lesbian and Gay Parenting Guide (Penguin Press, 2004) and Transgender Emergence: Therapeutic Guidelines for Working with Gender-Variant People and their Families (Haworth Press, 2004). Additionally, she maintains a “Dear Ari” advice column, which is currently published in Pride Parenting ( www.prideparenting.com ) and Transgender Tapestry . She is also the Founder of Rainbow Access Initiative, a training program on LGBT issues for therapists and medical professionals, and on the medical Board of the Intersex Society of North America and the editorial Board of The Journal of GLBT Family Studies. She maintains three columns on LGBT parenting issues: “In a Family Way,” “Dear Ari,” and “Family Matters.” column is nationally syndicated. She can be reached at Choices Counseling and Consulting, 321 Washington Ave., Albany , NY , 12206 , 518.463.9152, or info@choicesconsulting.com www.choicesconsulting.com

Lunch and Learn Workshops in Syracuse, Binghamton, Rochester and Albany

Same-Sex Parenting: the Issues Explained, a Lunch and Learn training seminar sponsored by the Lesbian and Gay Family Building Project, is aimed primarily at professionals who work with LGBT-headed families.  However, a good number of Pride and Joy Families network members also attended in all four cities. The series speaker is Ari Istar Lev, LCSW, CASAC, a lesbian mom, social worker, family therapist, and educator specializing in working with LGBT families in Albany. A total of 116 people attended the 2 hour session, including community members and service professionals, from the following locations: Syracuse (18 attendees), Binghamton (38 attendees), and Rochester (13 attendees), and Syracuse (47 attendees). Professionals included therapists, guidance counselors, educators, social work students and others. The sessions received excellent reviews for Ari's engaging and accessible style, and also the often humorous anecdotes she shared from her personal and professional lives. Loren Couch, gay dad from Binghamton and a new consultant to the Lesbian and Gay Family Building Project, also did a great job of producing the events, from managing the AV aspects to working with catering staff to make sure everyone got a delicious, hot lunch. Thanks to Ari and Loren!