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Hearts & Ears, Inc.
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Baltimore GLBT Resources
News and Informtion

We are excited to be working with the Baltimore Mental Health Systems (BMHS) in addressing the issues of heterosexism and homophobia in Baltimore’s five largest public mental health programs.  Working with us will be Laura Cain, Esq. of Maryland Disability Law Center, who will educate GLBT consumers of their rights, and  Alicia Lucksted, PhD of the University of Maryland who will be conducting a workshop directed at care providers.  In Baltimore it is illegal to discriminate against LGBT people, yet discrimination does occur in the mental health systems.  It is hurtful and interrupts the therapeutic process.  This presents a problem.  Providers sometimes don’t know what discrimination is, nor how to address the misconceptions and the homophobia that can lead to it among their staff, or the consumers that use their programs.  The end result is that services are sometimes delivered to LGBT consumers in a manner that is not helpful to their recovery and may even be illegal.  Hearts & Ears hopes to help address this situation.
Things to Remember when Working with Transgender Clients:

o    It’s not about you! Remember that your clients are their own primary agents and deserve to be treated with respect and kindness.
o    There are many ways to be transgender as there are transgender people.  While you may hear the phrase “transgender community,” it should not be taken to mean all trans people are identical, that they have the same experience or understanding and view of gender.
o    The language trans people use to describe themselves, their bodies, their gender and their sexuality varies from person to person.
o    Medical and surgical treatments are part of some, but not all trans people’s gender expression.
o    Remember to offer unbiased information to your clients so that they can make decisions for themselves.
o    If you are unsure of a person’s gender, ask them what pronoun(s) they prefer and use it consistently. (There may be times when clients request that you use other pronouns – ex: When talking to case manager—just remember to ask.)
o    Your client may have chosen a name that they prefer. It is okay to ask someone what name they prefer and then to respect their wishes.
o    Use gender-neutral language and open-ended questions during intake or interviews.
o    Respect a person’s right to privacy about their past and their body.
o    When appropriate, mirror the language a person uses to describe body parts and feed it back during discussion.
o    Treat knowledge of a person’s transgender status as confidential.
o    Admit lack of knowledge or experience. (Remember it is not the client’s responsibility to educate the provider. However, you may ask for resources to learn more.)
o    Remember that trans and gender variant people have had negative experiences with social service providers. It is not possible for you to undo this history, only to acknowledge it and work to establish trust.
o    Many social service providers are not sensitive to trans people’s needs. Try not to minimize this – remember that your primary relationship is with your client, not with other members of your profession. Provide an honest assessment of your colleagues’ knowledge and experience with trans clients before making a referral.

Sabina Neem [Sabina@preventionpointphilly.org] of the Trans-health Information project (of Prevention Point Philadelphia GALAEI) and Anne Farbman [afarbman@mazzonicenter.org] of Mazzoni Center.
Gay or Gay-Friendly AA Meetings
Monday Nights
Gay and Lesbian Community Center – 8:30 pm
241 W. Chase Street
2nd Floor, Room 201

Tuesdays Nights
ODAT Group – 8:30 pm
Cathedral Church of the Incarnation
E. University Pkwy & St. Paul Street

Newcomers Group – 8:30 pm
Old English Lutheran Church
39th & N. Charles Street
Rear Entrance

Wednesday Nights
12 Step Meeting – 8:30 pm
Grace & St. Peter Church
701 Park Avenue

Thursday nights
Mt Vernon Group – 8:30 pm
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
811 Cathedral Street
Read Street Entrance

Friday Nights
Sheppard Pratt Hospital – 7:30 pm
6500 N. Charles Street
B Building
Room B69

New Awakening Group – 8:30 pm
St. Ignatius Church
St. Paul & Madison Street
Side Entrance

Saturday Nights
Green Group – 6:30 pm
Gay and Lesbian Community Center
241 W. Chase Street
2nd Floor, Room 201

Live and Let Live Group – 8:30 pm
St. Vincent Church
E. Fayette & Fallsway
Entrance on Fallsway

Sunday Nights
St. Ignatius Church – 7:15 pm
St. Paul & Madison Street
Entrance on Madison Street
Click here for a listing of anxiety and panic support resources in Maryland

Click here for more Depression-related resources in Maryland

Click here for a list of Codependents Anonymous meetings in Maryland

Click here for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder resources in Maryland

Adult Children of Alcoholics meetings
Wednesday nights
MD, Baltimore (Baltimore Co)
8:00 P.M.  "Acoa" - St. John's Methodist Church, Room 16, 5315 Harford Ave & Gibbons Ave. ACAs only (closed), Discussion, 100% Not Restricted To 12 Steps. Needs Support: This meeting is small and would like the support of others.
 MD, Columbia (Howard Co)
7:00 P.M.  "Wed Night Aca" - First Presbyterian Church Of Howard County, 9325 Presbyterian Circle. Open to All, Discussion, Se Corner Of Rts. 29 And 108.
Saturdays
MD, Columbia (Howard Co)
12:30 P.M.  "Saturday Aca Meeting" - Serenity Center, 9650 Basket Ring Road.
 Open to all, Steps.
Spiritual/Religious Resources
For many. but not necessarily all,  GLBTQ mental health consumers, spirituality and/or religious traditions are an important part of recovery. However many consumers have suffered spiritual/religious abuse and non acceptance from religious groups.Many churches are now "welcoming" or "reconciling" churches which means they are open and supportive of GLBT individuals. For a list of these churches click on ths link Gay Affriming Churches  
What is the meaning of LGBT?

The terms lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) describe distinct groups within the gay culture. The early initiatives for people who were gay focused mostly on men. So, in an attempt to draw attention to issues specific to gay women, "lesbian" is often listed first.

People who are bisexual or transgender have been traditionally left out of, or underrepresented in, research studies and health initiatives. It is now considered standard to include these two groups along with gay men and lesbians.

                       to continue this article click HERE.
Hearts & Ears, Inc. advocates for GLBT and GLBT-friendly mental health consumers in all areas of their lives; mentally, emotionally, concerning physical health, culturally, politically, and spiritually. To view the many areas of advocacy please go to the P-Flag listing of advocacy areas
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