The articles in this issue explore a wide range of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) issues. Dr. Peggy Chinn discusses the stigma of being lesbian or gay in the nursing profession (and academia) and she challenges lesbian and gay nurses to act against the status quo. Dr. Joanne Hall explores the meanings of tomboyism from linguistic, literary, and historical perspectives. Dr. Danny Willis presents his study of gay men's experiences of hate crimes and their aftermath. Drs. Sarah Morgan and Patricia Stevens present their research on the transgender development of female-to-male transgendered adults. Dr. Scott Weber explores policy and nursing implications for parenting, family life, and well-being among sexual minorities. Dr. Maria Pettinato presents her study of mid-life and older lesbians with alcohol problems, and Dr. Carol McDonald explores the common assumption that disclosure of sexual orientation is therapeutic. Finally, Dr. Christopher Blackwell explores conversion therapies and their ethical implications for psychiatric/mental health nursing practice.
It takes the efforts of many individuals to produce a quality journal issue. This issue would not have been possible without the hard work of many persons. First, I thank the authors for their stimulating contributions to this issue. I also thank the authors who submitted papers that were not included in the issue: I hope they continue their work and submit papers for other issues of the journal. I thank the reviewers, many of whom spent late nights, early mornings, and weekends reading and critiquing manuscripts. I thank the editorial staff, whose attention to detail I admire. I acknowledge Sigma Theta Tau International's (STTI) Mentored Leadership Development Program (formerly known as the Chiron Mentoring Program), whose program offered me a “place” and structure to facilitate my development toward the role of scholarly journal editor, through the Leadership Development Institute and year-long activities with mentor Dr. Sandra Thomas. A special thanks to Dr. Thomas, editor of Issues in Mental Health Nursing, whose continued guidance and mentorship I deeply appreciate. And finally, I thank the readers, for whom this issue is published.