Guest Editor's Introduction to Special Topic

Developmental Transitions: Considerations for the LGBTQ Community across the Life Span provides the reader a glimpse of the developmental processes and the unique considerations that involve LGBTQ identity and life-span development. Persons who are LGBTQ throughout the life span are continually negotiating unique challenges and milestones of age and stage that may differ from those that do not identify as LGBTQ (Halkitis et al., 2009).

For those of us that study and research the LGBTQ population, we know, for example, the high rate of addiction, homelessness, and victimization; and we search for understanding to help our clients or students achieve or regain a sense of well-being. In this special section, we present two articles, each providing a developmental approach within a distinct life-span stage. Clearly, two publications cannot begin to provide a comprehensive picture of LGBTQ lives across the life span, but we do provide the reader with additional information, or a “snapshot” per se, of the developmental differences within various stages.

“LGBTQ Aging: Mental Health at Midlife and Older Adulthood” focuses on the relationship of personal attributes and the impact on mental health as individuals transition into midlife and older adulthood. Greene, Britton, and Shepherd interface general developmental milestones with the markers that are unique to the LGBTQ community. Greene and colleagues then identify personal attributes that counselors may need to focus on as their client's transition to midlife and older adulthood.

Beck, Rausch, Lane, and Wood turn their focus away from maladaptive behaviors, rather conceptualizing from a strength-based perspective. “College, Career, and Lifestyle Development with Students Who Are LGBQQ: Strategies for School Counselors” discusses inclusive and proactive practices for college, career and lifestyle programming in K-12 schools.

As with any client (or student) and any life challenge, it is always important to remember that each has their story, with their plot twists, experiences, and interpretations.

I would like to acknowledge my co-editors, Dr. Jeffry Moe and Dr. Catherine Roland. The breadth of experience between them with research, writing, and editing proved to be invaluable. I not only enjoyed sharing this experience with them, but I also learned a great deal along the way.