Sons
“Sons” is part of DBGM’s Health and Wellness Program, “I Am Working On Healing”. This program intends to provide an opportunity for gay/same-gender loving (SGL) men of color to meet, share, and learn about themselves, their relationships with their mothers and the mother-like figures in their lives. If there is a history of non-acceptance, Sons encourages gay/SGL men of color to learn to love and accept themselves for who they are, and in the process, address their mental health, including:
with a discussion on acceptance;
Who you are?/How do you see yourself?;
Reconciling acceptance of self with mother’s non-acceptance.
For gay/SGL men of color (Black, Latino, Indigenous Peoples, etc.) with licensed, qualified, and experienced mental health professionals of color.
Confidentiality assured.
Participation in the program is FREE
Dylan Kotee, a Liberian-born young man, describes coming out to his parents and their reaction, and with his mother's eventual acceptance, his father grew to accept him.
Sons group, hosted at GMAD's Brooklyn office, and facilitated by Peggy Desrosiers, Shane Tull, LCSW; and Louis Farmer.
I Am Working On Healing
“I Am Working On Healing” is a program launched by DBGM’s Board of directors in 2016, with two sub groups: Sons and HER. As black gay/same-gender (SGL) loving men are DBGM’s focus, the Board acknowledged the need to provide mental health support programs for LGBTQ+ people of color who identify as either cis-gendered, transgender (female to male), or bisexual. DBGM recognizes the extremely strong bond between mothers and sons, and drawing on research literature, which suggests that a son’s sense of self and acceptance is largely dependent on his mother/mother-like figure’s responses to who he is. For many mothers, losing a son is one of the most traumatic events in their lives, and with familial and societal expectations, and demands many mothers are unable to grieve or mourn their sons, which can affect themselves, their families and communities.