Queerness is a way of being and seeing. It’s not just about sexual orientation and gender identity but it is a radical lens, a political ideology and a way of critically looking at the world around us. Queerness leads us to evaluate the social constructs around us. Heteronormativity, (the assumption of heterosexuality is the norm and “better than” any other variation of sexuality), the perception of sexual orientation and gender as a binary (gay vs. straight and masculine vs. feminine) and the inherent sexism of our culture are all under fire right here.
The best thing about being queer is the freedom to stray from the old narratives of what we are supposed to be and how we are supposed to live. We get to decide: who do we want to be, what should our family look like, who and how do we want to partner. Queering the mind is a space to question and discuss all of these things. It’s also a place to celebrate queer life – whatever that may look like.
Queeringthemind.com is authored by Laura Booker, LCSW. Laura is a therapist, writer, and activist in New York City. In over 15 years of clinical practice, she has worked with clients who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, monogamous, polyamorous, adolescent and adult, all in the hopes of helping people find a life that is gratifying and rich while exploring the ways in which homophobia, transphobia, sexism,, abuse and trauma oppress people and ultimately affect their mental health.
Laura worked for many years at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center in New York City. She has also worked extensively with at-risk youth in a number of LGBT and non-LGBT settings and is an Adjunct Lecturer at the Hunter College School of Social Work in New York City. She has spoken widely on topics including LGBT mental health, LGBT youth and families, gender identity and transgenderism, substance abuse, trauma, and oppression and mental health. In her clinical practice, she provides individual, couples and family therapy.
To inquire about therapy or to inquire about booking Laura for speaking engagements, trainings or media appearances, please contact:
Laura Booker, LCSW
Phone: (917) 517-5566 Email: laurabookerlcsw@gmail.com
