Research-based, sensitively and accessibly written, this bookprovides the caring practitioner with a greater understanding of these often oppressed communities, and thereby a greater capacity to support individuals from them.

After an overview of the controversies regarding causation, the authors explore: heterosexism; development of gay//lesbian//bisexual communities; identity development and `coming out'; the family; life course development from adolescence to older adulthood; and guidelines for practice.