Equality Press

In a year that has included a landmark Supreme Court decision for gay rights, a controversial election of an openly gay Episcopal bishop, and gay marriage in Canada, the American Counseling Association (ACA) has become the first of the major mental health professional associations to boast an openly gay president. Dr. Mark Pope, Associate Professor in the Division of Counseling & Family Therapy at the University of Missouri – St. Louis, was elected by the membership of ACA to serve as their President during 2003-2004. ACA is the world’s largest association exclusively representing over 50,000 professional counselors in various practice settings throughout the United States and around the world.

Dr. Pope is serving as President exactly 30 years after the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its official list of mental disorders. In a recent speech at the American Psychological Association annual convention, he chided his mental health colleagues for this history. He stated, “By a vote of the Board of Directors of the American Psychiatric Association in 1973, we were removed from their ‘Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.’ They waved their magic wand and we were made ’sane’ overnight. Do you understand the power that we, as mental health professionals, have to effect people’s lives? We who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual were adjudged mentally ill because of the prejudices of the dominant culture. We who are in the mental health professions have responsibility for that. That is why my election to lead one of the largest mental health organizations in the world is so important. As the first openly gay man elected to such a position, I represent a final and total repudiation of that past.” (more…)

By Susan MacNeil

Gay men exist even in southwestern New Hampshire, home to a predominantly homogeneous population of well-meaning straight white folk, including me. As a woman serving in the role of director of the regional AIDS service organization for the last 2 ½ years, I’ve become closely attached to many of the gay men who walk through the door. Such has been the case with one man in particular who shall be called Lawrence, the pseudonym he often uses when serving as spokesperson for what it’s like to be gay and HIV+ in the rural Northeast.

I love Lawrence. His caustic sense of humor and razor-sharp view of life belies an instinct that is, always, right on the money. He is handsome, charming, witty, and very sweet. If you are fortunate enough for Lawrence to take you into his inner circle, there is nothing—and I mean nothing—he won’t do for you. He has chauffeured me on his arm to plays and the Russian Tea Room and gay bars alike, introduced me to his friends and shared his favorite haunts, and cared for me throughout the daily dramas that surface when dealing with HIV+ people and their families. He has given me cards on bad days and flowers on good ones and endearing presents for no reason. Who needs a partner/husband when you are lucky enough to have a sophisticated gay man in your life who knows how to shop, is often more thoughtful than your girlfriends, and always smells good? (more…)

By Anthony Aiken

Steve Cruikshank, 51, died recently. He was the son of Charles and Helen Cruikshank. He was raised in Rye. He graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1969 and attended Plymouth State College. He worked as a carpenter and joiner for more than 30 years. He loved sea kayaking, mountain biking, and hiking year-round in the White Mountains. Survivors include his father of Rye; his wife, Irene (Koski) Cruikshank of Deerfield; and a son, Zeb Cruikshank of Minneapolis.

You may be asking why Steve Cruikshank’s obituary is in my column about diversity. Well, I would like to add something that is missing about Steve - he was compassionate, caring, thoughtful, welcoming and, most of all, accepting. (more…)