How is being gay in a rural community different from the more publicized experiences of urban and suburban gay people? What impact do the attitudes and beliefs of rural residents have on their acceptance of social services? How does the HIV epidemic continue to define new realities, especially for gay culture in rural areas? Rural Gays and Lesbians: Building on the Strengths of Communities tackles these and many other important questions and issues in the intention of not just exposing, but solving. The first book of its kind, it provides you with knowledge and practice content specific to the unique and changing needs of rural lesbians and gay men and gives you the know-how for constructing culturally competent service programs and intervention techniques.Immensely practical and insightful, Rural Gays and Lesbians offers social workers, counselors, teachers, academics, and those in the helping professions interventions across multiple system levels, from micro interventions to larger community development approaches. Its interventions are built upon assumptions of the values of the helping profession, the scientific basis for developing practice approaches, the diversity upon which communities develop, and the ethics of practice. Offering you tip after tip, strategy after strategy, this book helps you:

• understand how internalized homophobia becomes a tool for living
• update your knowledge on the basic mental health issues faced by rural lesbians and gay men
• protect the civil rights of sexual minorities
• use strategies for empowering gay people and helping them become more socially engaged and successful in living and working in communities and organizations
• locate computer resource listings and information for the evaluation of beginning rural programs
• penetrate the social and geographic isolation faced by sexual minorities in rural areas
• use the radio and the Internet to promote messages of safety and health
• identify barriers to careWith its discussions on service adaptation for rural cultures, substance abuse, the need for role models for gays and lesbians in rural areas, and social isolation compounded by racism, poverty, and cultural and religious beliefs, Rural Gays and Lesbians shows you how service models effective with gays and lesbians in urban areas and active communities may not work with rural people. Its practice recommendations will help you support rural lesbians and gays as they cope with everyday activities and experiences, come to terms with their identity, and find a healthy and happy niche in the community.