Intensive Summer Institute to Train Educators and Counselors to
Work with Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Students and Clients

When Ruth Berman and Connie Kurtz "came out" as lesbian lovers in 1974, they left their husbands and children to enter a world that had little understanding of the issues faced by the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Today, as certified counselors, they are taking their wholehearted approach to homosexual issues on the road, stopping at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University in Brookville, N.Y. from July 12-16 to teach a Summer Intensive Institute titled, "Counseling the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student/Client."

"[This course] should be for the whole world because it is so enlightening," says Terry Bordan, Ph.D., Professor of Education at C.W. Post and leader of the workshop. "Attendees have said that they walk away with a better understanding of the population’s issues, and they can then help them affirm their identities. Many of our participants say they are never the same after taking this course. The success of the course is due not only to the wonderful people who participate, but also to Ruth and Connie, who are just marvelous."

Berman and Kurtz have become activists for the homosexual community, working on domestic partner legislation and conducting workshops for homophobic gays and lesbians. They were also the subject of a 2002 film, "Every Room in the House," and have taught the C.W. Post workshop for seven years. This year, they will be joined by Lynn Walker, Ph.D., a counselor at the Gender Identity Project at New York City Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center; David Kilmnick, CSW, a founder and executive director of Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth; and Marc DeRicco, ACSW, MS, coordinator of Dual Diagnosis Services at North Shore University Hospital in Glen Cove.

"It was about 10 years ago that I went to a counseling convention in Albany and walked into the room where Ruth and Connie were speaking, but there was only me and one other person attending," said Dr. Bordan. "I decided right then and there that we had to develop a seminar for graduate students because this issue is too large to ignore. C.W. Post was the first to go on the cutting edge of doing something positive for those who counsel students in every imaginable capacity."

The course is open to educators, counselors and graduate students and is designed to give participants an understanding about the diversity and complexity of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender populations–so that they can counsel them effectively. The instructors will identify resources on health, AIDS, legal issues and substance-abuse matters. Using real-life situations, they will delve into personal and societal attitudes, and facilitate increased awareness and empathy for this population.

For additional information, please call the C.W. Post Office of Public Relations at 516-299-2332.