Workshops

Gay is Good: Building a National Health Movement by Healing Shame, Unveiling Joy and Improving Self-Esteem

Sister Glo, Christopher Dyer, Michael Giordano

As a result of the coming out process, some gay men suffer from low self esteem brought on by shame and silence that work synergistically, with devastating effects on our individual and community health. In 1968, Dr. Fraklin Kameny coined the phrase “Gay is Good” to help counter these messages.

In this workshop, we will explore the interplay of shame and silence and actively work to break through each one. Through interactive, facilitated discussions, participants will explore the ways in which we feel shame and how it manifests, the issues we feel shame around, how fear keeps us silent, and how keeping silent about the feelings and the issues allows them to get more deeply rooted. Collectively we will identify heart-centered practices we can carry with us to continue the work of unveiling joy as we reenter our lives.

Additionally, we will start a conversation on how to take these messages back to our communities and begin to build a nationwide health movement that emphasizes esteem building so that we can unveil joy.