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Rev. Dr. Charles A. Selner with Julie Caffe, MFA
The Night Ministry
1218 W. Addison
Chicago, Illinois 60613
The journey toward self acceptance whether one is homosexual, heterosexual or uncertain can be a long one. Homosexuality is an orientation and a normal pert of human personality. By learning hove to tell one's own story, the identity formation process is renewed. Features unique to lesbian or gay persons are examined to help the counselor identify where a person may be in the process and thereby offer assistance according to the stage at coming out
Developing a healthy pelt identity is outlined by Erik Erikson as he labels stages to identify psychosocial crises. When one has weathered the cases, one may move forward tc become a more functional and integrated person more healthy and whole to was with the realities of the world. This is not to say that it is a linear process where perfection is achieved. Instead, a person may move in and out of the stages with more ease and self-understanding. Through movement of our bodies, ways of experiencing our selves will be affirmed ard connected to the way we think about ourselves
Using this and other stage theories of normative human development have created labels to point toward specifics that are more applicable to the process of developing a lesbian or gay identity This maturation process allows a person to recognize homosexuality as an orientation end an experience end not simply a preference. Theologically, the human person is a gift of God and our sexuality is a part of our embodiment in the flesh. Thus, maintain fast being lesbian or gay and experiencing our sexuality is a gift of God's creation and not to be condemned. By suspending judgments, the practice of looking for the good creates a safe atmosphere m which to explore our humanity and begin to find it beautiful
While the moral ethical and legal implications are far from resolution a person may look inside oneself and begin to discover and enjoy the beauty of one's body and self. Through movement and story telling methods, the discovery process of talking about who we are enables a person to experience an increased sense of integration of the body mind heart and spirit. In any places, particularly in the Christian Bible, the heart stands for the total self
By beginning to accept our sexuality, one may discover an unfolding of our selves with an ability to disclose deeper
feelings and engage in healthy relationships. The increasing sense of personal integrity may allow persons to be more
understanding of the range of human sexual experience and to enjoy the totality of being human.