Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book addresses the third main theme that reverberates throughout each chapter: religion. It deals with the theme of embodiment and the complexity of growing up as a sexual minority in a heterosexist culture. The book presents the phenomenological experience of both patient and therapist, addressing the issues of sexual identity formation and interpersonal functioning as they intersect with attachment and trauma history. It shows how an expert clinician navigates a complex case while practicing gay affirmative therapy. The book discusses how these issues manifest in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) asylum seekers. A growing body of evidence finds that LGBTQ asylum seekers flee their countries of origin after suffering psychological abuse and physical and sexual violence, often beginning in childhood. Clinicians may also have to help LGBTQ asylum seekers prepare their trauma narrative.