T for Two & Two for T
Two Upcoming LGBTQIA+ Ministry Events
Written by Vincent Youmans 102 years ago and performed for decades, Tea for Two and Two for Tea was a pretty popular romantic and dreamy tune of a couple imagining a quiet life shared together. Imagine the desires in that song playing today. A quiet and dreamy life together. One without harassment, hate and fear. For some in our society such longings are heartfelt dreams but are often nightmares instead.
For the next month let’s play with the title a bit: “T for Two and Two for T”, where “T” stands for transgender and the “Two” is about two opportunities coming soon to Good Shepherd. Good Shepherd’s LGBTQIA+ Ministry Team is offering two presentations where you can get up close and personal with some of the dreams and issues facing transgender youth, especially in today’s anti-trans environment.
These presentations are meant to further our understanding on why Good Shepherd’s welcome statement states in part: Good Shepherd welcomes all people… people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Author Reading and Q&A with Nico Lang
Thursday, March 12 at 7 pm
Acclaimed author Nico Lang will be presenting a reading and discussion on their book “American Teenager ”. Nico visited and followed seven families of transgender youth during the past few years. They recorded these experiences and offer eye-opening narratives of how trans kids are surviving hate and finding joy in a turbulent era.
Who is Nico Lang, and what is American Teenager all about? Visit the following links for more information...
Sunday Morning Forum: A Counselor’s Perspective on Gender-Affirming Mental Health Care: Creating Communities Where Everyone Belongs
Sunday, March 15, at 9 am
Lahela Peterson will present at Good Shepherd’s March 15 Sunday morning forum at 9 am where she will share insights from her clinical experience as a counselor. Lahela is a part of the Good Shepherd community and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA). Presenting through a gender-affirming lens, she will highlight common mental health concerns affecting individuals whose gender identity, expression, or lived experience extends beyond traditional binary definitions of man and woman.
While LGBTQIA+ topics frequently appear in today’s news, important historical, contextual, and clinical perspectives are often overlooked or assumed. Lahela will clarify key terminology, provide relevant background information, and discuss recurring themes she encounters in her daily work.
This presentation will offer valuable understanding as we consider how we, as people of faith, can thoughtfully and compassionately respond to the experiences of gender-diverse individuals.
