LGBTQI Private Forum

[MayaECarter]

I am posting this new discussion and poll because the only other similar poll and discussion is closed/locked and i feel that defeats the point of acquiring an accurate representation of ADDForums.com users' opinion on this matter.

So here's the basic question: Should there be an LGBTQI/Queer only private forum for those of us in this world community who have to experience life as both ADD/ADHD and Queer.

I propose this because although there is no scientifically proven link between sexual/gender identity and ADD/ADHD prevalence, it is a REALITY that there are many individuals who identify as both and there is a very REAL need for these people to be able to have a private support group-based forum where they can discuss issues they experience which most ADD/ADHD people do not.

Either way I want people to vote on this after carefully contemplating the situation an LGBTI person with ADD/ADHD has within today's society and the strong need for a community of support and empathy.

P.S. - The proposed solution to this that the Adult forums should suffice completely disregards the reality that there are MANY children/teens/youth and young adults who identify as LGBTQI/Queer and would not be included in the Adult only forums.

[EYEFORGOT]

The other poll is locked because the administration, after reviewing the poll and the responses in the thread, had come to a decision. That was September 2005.

Originally Posted by Kimalimah

The Administration would like to thank everyone who has participated in this discussion and, although the statistics of the poll tend towards favoring opening a separate private forum for Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals, we feel that the statistics are a bit misleading and have chosen to table this discussion for the following reasons:

• Out of a more than 600 views of the thread, only 5% of members choose to express an opinion. In addition, the number of total respondents is a very small percentage of the entire membership – and not necessarily representative.

• While everyone's points are well taken, the reality is that we, as an ADD community do not discriminate based on race, creed, sexual orientation, age, disability or any other factor. Part of non-discrimination is resisting the urge to separate or create a sub-group or sub-culture based on one of those characteristics previously mentioned. It only divides those that are not, from those that are. We have tried to organize the forums into significant groupings...adults, teens, parents, etc.

• If we are to all, as a community, try to come to an understanding of what we ALL go through and experience, then we need to keep the forums open to such discussions.

• The private forums that exist today, do not segregate or discriminate, but provide those with co-morbid experiences, a private place to discuss them.

• We have many sections of the forums where discussions can be held on countless topics, regardless of sexual orientation. The purpose of having a user ID that is "anonymous", or at least not one that refers to your name, is so that a member can feel comfortable posting on whatever they please, without fear of personal reprisal.

• Forum guidelines and staff are in place to protect anyone from being "flamed" or otherwise harassed. We have an excellent staff of moderators who ensure that those participating are treated with respect and consideration, no matter what their circumstances are. We hope that all of our members have felt welcome and accepted.

• We feel, at this time, that our existing private Adult Relationships forum would be an appropriate place to discuss relationships and the effects of ADHD on them, regardless of sexual orientation. We encourage those that are interested to join and actively participate in our private forums.

Again, we appreciate the active interest and participation from all of you and want to reassure you that your suggestion has been noted. Should we see a need in the future, we will be more than happy to reconsider it at such time. Since the poll is now closed and a decision has been made, we are closing this thread to further comment. As always, we are availabe through PM or eMail, if needed.
__________________

The Private Adult Relationships Forum is still available for these needs. If you are interested in the password please contact Rach (Minn306). If those who are under 18 would like the password to the Teens Private Forum, please contact livinginchaos.

[Andrew]

Sub-forums and private forums are created based on the preponderance of threads/posts about a given topic, and then, only if the Administration believes that it would be in the best interests of the Forums to do so. Members are encouraged to create related threads and posts in the forums' existing sections. It is from these cumulative posts that decisions are made regarding future forums developments.

[amnorvend]

I'd like to add something to this thread (sorry to go thread necromancing).

The idea behind starting a private forum would be so that people will be able to discuss things regarding the subject at hand with people of similar mindsets. No matter how many non-discrimination policies the addf administration makes, a lot of GLBT members may feel put off by not having a place where we can discuss things that affect the GLBT community among other gays and lesbians. Thus, we have a chicken and the egg situation here. How do we get a GLBT private forum? By posting more threads on the subject elsewhere. How do we get more posts on GLBT subjects? By having a private forum dedicated to GLBT issues. Get my drift?

We deal with different social situations, different relationships, and have different perceptions of ourselves. Not to mention that the whole "coming out" thing is probably the most difficult social situation a person could ever put themselves in. Add ADHD into the mix and you've got the potential for a person to go through a really rough time.

I've done a lot of searching for resources in my time and the amount of support for Gays and Lesbians with ADHD is abysmal at best. For example, most of the articles and advice pieces on relationships are geared towards the traditional heterosexual relationship. And yes, gay relationships have MUCH different dynamics than heterosexual ones.

Not to mention that ADDers tend to have lower self esteem and higher rates of depression than the average person. As does the typical gay person. I know when I came out of the closet, I would have liked to see more support geared towards someone with ADHD. But if I were to come to a forum like this and not have a GLBT area to post in, I probably would have passed it by.

I certainly hope the administration of this board will reconsider their move in not having a GLBT forum or at least revise their standards for creation of a GLBT forum.

[Andrew]

The forums recently implemented a feature called "Social Groups", to accommodate the varied requests we've received to form public and private forums/message groups. Social Groups can be public or private and moderated. Should you or any other member wish to start/join such a group, go to your User CP, head to the Networking section, then click on Social Groups. I would encourage members to leverage this powerful resource.