Episode 23: Becoming Mother Without Playing It Straight (feat. Psychoanalyst Karen Senecal)

New York City Sex Therapist, Dr. Richard Mills talks with Psychoanalyst Karen Senecal, who discusses her experiences as a lesbian and the non-biological parent in a “two mommy household.” She explains how many times she found herself questioning her legitimacy as a mother because she felt “othered” by the world and often quested by doctor’s community, community and the world. Going further she talks about the validity of being a parent to her children, as sometimes she was perceived as straight because she decided to stay home and raise them– being outed and feeling unsafe, struggling with fears of being verbally or physically assaulted one time in Pennsylvania.

Richard shares his own experiences where he also felt “othered” while raising his daughter, the death of a child, the future of LGBT parenting, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, gay marriage, discrimination against gays and lesbians, Chelsea Handler’s documentary on white privilege and its relationship to cis heterosexual privilege, the normalization of same sex parenting, lesbian Uhaling, lesbian dating, lesbian politics, stereotypes of butch vs. fem, lesbian slumber parties, the relaunch of the L Word: Generation Q, being a power lesbian like Ellen DeGeneres, Sam Smith coming out as non-binary, and other aspects of lesbian identity politics.

If you have a burning question, would like to be a guest on the podcast, or looking for individual and/or couples therapy, or Divorce Mediation visit www.LaikeRisingTherapy.com

To connect with Karen Senecal visit her at www.KarenSenecaltherapy.com

Today’s music by Chauncey Dandridge (AKA DJ Chauncey D) and Van Hechter  “53 Christopher Street” available on Spotify at  https://open.spotify.com/album/3xGRphlwlFtE2kf1FHLAm5