As a GLBTQ individual, you may have been asked some really strange and intrusive questions by straight people. Why do some believe that when you reveal your sexual orientation, you are then open to discussing your sexual behavior? Now, those asking questions may not have bad intent, they may just be curious and have never had the chance to pose questions to a GLBTQ person. Whatever the intent these questions can feel exploitive. For example, a lesbian reveals to a coworker that she has a wife and this coworker is then asking her, “how do you guys do that, like have sex without penetration?”. Does this person want information to help them understand lesbians or do they have a titillating purpose? Being asked questions that seem insensitive or downright invasive can be a challenge that may affect your relationship negatively.
This behavior by others forces coming out to be a lifelong process. GLBTQ individuals and couples find themselves having to explain the way they feel or how they perform sex throughout their lifetimes. How do you answer these questions? Do the questions offend or disturb you? At Texas Relationship Therapy, we will work together to navigate this challenging process of coming out. We will explore what it’s like to live in a hetero-normative society as a GLBTQ person. We will explore what being GLBTQ means to you and how to navigate through a world where being in a same sex relationship is challenging in ways that opposite sex couples do not experience. We will explore what effect coming out has on your relationship and develop coping strategies.
