ALGBTICAL

The Alabama Counseling Association annual statewide conference was held November 14-16 in Montgomery. The ALCA Fall Conference included keynote speakers, content sessions, poster sessions, business meetings, exhibitions, and various receptions. Also included in the activities was an Executive Council Meeting of state officers and an Awards Breakfast.

ALGBTICAL members were on hand as active participants in the conference. ALGBTICAL had a divisional Information Table set up in the registration area. ALGBTICAL held its Division Meeting. And ALGBTICAL sponsored a Social Activity at the Railyard Brewing Company. Everyone had a great time!

Several content sessions focusing on LGBT issues were included in the conference line-up:

--School Counselors: Serving the Needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth in Schools by Angela Stowe

--Counseling and Cultural Diversity: How Diversity in our Clients Impact our Work by Linda Foster

--Special Issues in Counseling Persons with or at risk of HIV and STD's by Kelli Lasseter

--Portrait of Ace: Sexual Identity Construction from a CRT Framework by Priscilla Wilson

--The Psychology of Bullying: Understanding the Psyche of the Bully, the Victim, the Advocate, and the Bystander by Gary Williams

--Gay and Lesbian Parenting: Addressing Challenges, Providing Resources, and Adhering to Ethical Practices by Jessica Merchant

Dr. Jamie Satcher - Fannie Cooley Award for Distinguished Professional Development

The keynote speaker for the Friday general session was Josh Burford, from the University of Alabama, who spoke on advocacy for LGBT youth. Josh's presentation was very well received. He seemed to be the favorite among the three keynoters. ALGBTICAL is very pleased that an outspoken LGBT presenter was chosen as a keynoter and that LGBT issues are being featured so prominently at the ALCA state conference. ALCA President Necoal Driver is to be applauded for her decision to invite Josh to the state conference.

ALGBTICAL members attended the ALCA Annual Conference, November 16-18 in Birmingham. As usual, the conference featured keynote speakers, lots of content sessions, poster sessions, business meetings, vendors and exhibitors, an awards breakfast, and receptions. This year's theme was "Making Hope Happen."

ALGBTICAL hosted an information table at the conference. Thursday was a Day of Purple and many ALCA members wore purple in support of LGBT advocacy and anti-bullying. A Business Meeting and Roundtable took place Wednesday, facilitated by President Frank Hrabe. And the ALGBTICAL Division Party on Wednesday was lots of fun! Members gathered at the Cantina Grill at Pepper Place to engage in good conversation and enjoy each other's company.

We are proud of our ALGBTICAL members who won awards at the Awards Breakfast on Wednesday morning:

--Glenda Elliott won the Fannie Cooley Award for Distinguished Professional Development

ALGBTICAL Members were in attendance at the ALCA Annual Conference, November 17-19 in Mobile. As always, the fall convention featured nationally known keynote speakers, lots of content sessions, poster sessions, business meetings, vendors and exhibitors, an awards breakfast, and receptions. And once again it was a wonderful networking and socializing opportunity when colleagues and friends reunited for this large-scale event.

ALGBTICAL members presented content sessions with LGBT themes. LGBT content sessions offered in every time slot:

--Ethics of the Conscience Clause: Referral or Abandonment of LGBT Clients (Paul Hard)

--The Journey: Spiritual Enlightenment from the LGBT Perspective (Jessica Merchant & Mark Brown)

ALGBTICAL members (and all ALCA members) were encouraged to WEAR PURPLE on Thursday to take a stand against bullying and all the recent suicides and violence. This initiative was sponsored by ALGBTICAL, ALASGW, ALCDA, ALAMCD, ALAAOC, ALAADA, ALSCA, ALCCA, ALSERVIC. Participation was very good. Lots of purple was seen throughout the conference on Thursday!

An ALGBTICAL Reception took place on Wednesday in the Presidential Suite. Many thanks to ALCA President Nancy Fox for hosting our reception.

An ALGBTICAL Business Meeting took place Wednesday, Nov 17. During that meeting, Jeanell Norvell was nominated for and confirmed as our new President Elect.

Melissa Scott, ALGBTICAL President, won the Outstanding Member Award at the Awards Breakfast on Wednesday. Jamie Satcher, ALGBTICAL Past President, won the Outstanding Member Award for Chapter III.

ALGBTICAL members participated in the 2009 ALCA Fall Conference in Birmingham, scheduled from Wednesday, November 18 through Friday, November 20.

Officers attended the Executive Council Meeting on Tuesday (Nov 17) evening. Members attended the Awards Breakfast on Wednesday morning. All members were treated to the three keynote speakers and attended the many content sessions.

Events and activities sponsored by ALGBTICAL included an information table in the registration area, a division meeting, and a reception.

Content sessions with LGBT themes included:

-- Impact of Rigid Gender Roles on Our Clients & Ourselves (Andrea Mills, Charlotte Daughhetee)
-- Ethical Considerations in the Use of Reparative/Conversion Therapy (Glenda Elliott)
-- Underground: The Experience of LGB Persons in the Military (Lynn Boyd, Jeanell Norvell)
-- Hey! What's UP? Meeting the Needs of Minority Gay Students in Your School (Yulanda Tyre, Paul Hard)

Other content sessions with related themes:

-- When Grandmother has AIDS: The Alarming Rise of HIV in the Elderly (Paul Hard)

-- Bullycide: What Counselors Need to Know About Bullying, Suicide & Youth (Cindy Wiley, Mary Bartlett)

-- Understanding HIV: Practical Session for Clinicians (Ashley Hampton)

AGLBICAL members were in Huntsville November 19-21 to attend the annual ALCA Fall Conference.

AGLBICAL co-sponsored a reception with ALMHCA during the ALCA Fall Conference. AGLBICAL members were on hand at most of the big events and activities, including and the Thursday Night Dance. Several content sessions with GLBT themes were presented.

And AGLBICAL members were among the award winners at the Awards Breakfast on Wednesday morning: Frank Hrabe, Paul Hard, Gary Williams, Jamie Satcher, and Mark Leggett.

Content sessions with LGBT themes included:

--Gender Identity: What It Is and Why Some People Question Theirs (Leila Nabors)
--Substance Abuse Treatment for LGBT Individuals (Joan Leary)
--Predictors of Modern Homonegativity Among Professional Counselors (Jamie Satcher)
--Moving Beyond Stereotypes: Effective Strategies in Counseling Gay & Lesbian Persons (Leila Nabors)
--It's Elementary: Talking About Gay Issues in School (Mark Leggett, Glenda Elliott)
--A Place at the Table: Helping LGBT Clients Reclaim Their Spirituality (Beth Cook)

From Left to Right: Jamie Satcher (ALGBTICAL Pres), Glenda Elliott, Mark Leggett, Kassie Doggett, Robin Williams, Anita Neuer, Mark Leggett, Michael Lebeau

From Left to Right: Anita Neuer, Jamie Satcher, Angela Stowe, Lyndsey Robinson, Linda Foster, Mark Leggett, Glenda Elliott

From Left to Right: Leila Nabors, Beth Cook, Paul Hard, Lyndsey Robinson, Anita Neuer, Jamie Satcher

AGLBICAL members were participating and celebrating, November 14-16, at the ALCA Fall Conference in Birmingham.

AGLBICAL sponsored a reception during the ALCA Fall Conference in the President’s Suite in the Sheraton Hotel. Many thanks to our host, Ms. Jerri Lynn Morrow, ALCA President.

AGLBICAL members were in attendance at most of the events and activities, including the Thursday Night Dance.

And AGLBICAL members were among the award winners at the Awards Breakfast on Wednesday morning: Mark Leggett, Jamie Satcher, Anita Neuer, Kassie Doggett, Harriett Shaeffer, and Michael Lebeau.

Among the content sessions that were presented at the ALCA Fall Conference, the following had GLBT themes:

--Counseling GLBT Persons: Skill Building

--Straight Spouses: When Your Client's Wife/Husband Comes Out

--Hey I'm Not Just Gay, I'm Black

--AGLBICAL Roundtable Discussion

--Aging and End-of-Life Issues in the GLBT Community

--Ethical & Legal Perspectives in Counseling Sexual Minority Youth in Our Schools

We are very proud of our AGLBICAL members who were among the award winners at the Awards Breakfast on Wednesday morning: Mark Leggett, Jamie Satcher, Anita Neuer, Kassie Doggett, Harriett Shaeffer, and Michael Lebeau.

Left to Right: Jamie Satcher, Mark Leggett (ALGBICAL Pres), Jerri Lynn Morrow (ALCA Pres), Gary Williams, Paul Hard, Anita Neuer

Left to Right: Mark Leggett (AGLBICAL Pres), Anita Neuer, Glenda Elliott, Kassie Doggett, Paul Hard, Jamie Satcher

Left to Right: Gary Williams, Anita Neuer, Angela Stowe (AGLBICAL Secretary), Michael Lebeau, (AGLBICAL Public Relations Chair), Anita Neuer, Mark Leggett (AGLBICAL Pres)

Left to Right: Jamie Satcher, Glenda Elliott, Paul Hard, Michael Lebeau, Angela Stowe, Jamie Satcher

ALCA counselors statewide gathered for their 40th annual conference, November 15-17 in Mobile at the Riverview plaza Hotel and Mobile Convention Center.

It was an amazing opportunity for Alabama counselors get together for networking, socializing, and a variety of activities, including professional development seminars. Guest speakers included William Glasser (Counseling Theorist & Author), Marie Wakefield (ACA President), and Tonea Stewart (Actress).

ALCA President, Shirley Barnes, presided under the banner: "Celebrating our Past... Embracing our Present... Envisioning our Future."

The Awards Breakfast on Wednesday morning yielded many award winners among AGLBICAL members.

AGLBICAL hosted an Information Table in the registration area with lots of cool handouts and giveaways.

Wednesday, November 15 was AGLBICAL recognition day. All AGLBICAL members were asked to wear purple to show their pride in our division.

The AGLBICAL Reception was held on Wednesday, November 15. The annual AGLBICAL get together for fellowship and fun is rapidly becoming a hit at the conference.

AGLBICAL Members at the ALCA 2006 Fall Conference in Mobile... Left to Right... Glenda Elliott, Anita Neuer, Mark Leggett, Donna Melder, Jamie Satcher, Gary Williams, Michael Lebeau... and Gary Williams, Michael Lebeau again

AGLBICAL President Donna Melder at the AGLBICAL Information Table at the ALCA 2006 Fall Conference in Mobile

For AGLBICAL members, there were content sessions on GLBT issues, including:

--Out in the Workplace: GLBT Issues in Career Counseling
--AGLBICAL Roundtable Discussion
--Homonegativity Among Alabama Counselors
--What to Say When Your Student May Be Gay
--Advocacy Counseling: Moral & Spiritual Perspectives

Three content sessions on AIDS/HIV were also featured.