Challenges of the unknown
As learned from the video clip, Family Pride, (Beacon Press, 2013) LGBT families are sometimes hidden in the communities and other times are very open about their sexual orientation. These families are like all other families. They can have all the problems traditional families have. I gained awareness on the fact that resources for LGBT families are lacking. Some LGBT families, in an effort to continue to hide their status, would not look to access the available resources, as doing so may make them more susceptible to discrimination. Learning that some LGBT families live in unwelcoming, inhospitable, even hostile communities, I realized that I need to educate myself about the public needs of LGBT families. In an
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Zach Wahls seems to be a well put together man. He seems respectful and humble as he speaks. From this example I learned that same sex couples are well capable of raising a child unharmed by their life style. As a family partner, one of the families I work with is a lesbian couple. The couple brought to my attention that they were lesbians, since a previous worker had refused working with them because of their sexual orientation. My response to them was that their sexual preferences would not interfere with the management of their case, and that it did not made me uncomfortable. I remain objective and professional, and at no time do I put in consideration their sexual orientation when searching for resources for the family. I see them as any other couple advocating for their family.
Some beliefs that need to be challenged to effectively help LGBT families are that children raised by them could be negatively influenced by their life style. Also, the idea of refusing services to an LBGT family because of religious believes. As a person raised in a Catholic household, I do belief in traditional families and do not agree with certain LGBT laws. However, my posture in this matter does not make it right for me to discriminate others because of their sexual
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We, as human service workers need to explore not only the issues that bring us to them, but also the complications that come with unsupportive communities and their lack of natural supports. Some LBGT families do not have a natural support because the families refuse to accept them for who they are. Some issues that require reinforcement are the lack of resources for LBGT families in the communities, the isolation generated due to the lack of support and discrimination towards them.
Some recommendations presented on the video clip, Family Pride, (Beacon Press, 2013) that I consider have the most importance to the practice of case management are having a mindset of inclusion, tolerance, and acceptance, in addition to challenging our own beliefs. These are essential in order to effectively work with LBGT families, without transmitting disapproving responses. Also, understanding LBGT family’s needs, it is important to understand their culture, in order to determine an adequate service plan for the
It is important to identify at risk populations who suffer from health care disparities in order to decrease these disparities. Health care disparities can result in negative health outcomes when at risk populations are not afforded proper health treatment. According to Ranji, Beamesderfer, Kates, and Salganicoff (2014) health concerns and risk factors affecting the LGBT community include HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), drug abuse, mental health issues, and sexual and physical violence. The LGBT community is an at risk population due to barriers in health care linked to discrimination, prejudice, social stigma, and lack of access to health insurance especially for same-sex couples. (Healthypeople.gov 2013). It is important to identify community resources in the city of Houston for LGBT people in order to improve the health, safety, and well-being of these individuals. In an effort to promote the health of LGBT people, a health and wellness plan should be targeted within the LGBT community in the city of Houston.
Those who become marginalized can lose control of their own lives and the available resources they can access; they can become nothing more than stigmas and often negatively treated in public. Because of this, their social contributions are sometimes hampered and this, consequently, causes them to become socially isolated and/or sufferers of low esteem. Approximately, in America, thirty percent of LGBTQ youth were often abused by their parents over their orientation or gender, with an estimated forty percent of homeless youths identifying as LGBTQ themselves. (Chatterjee) These statistics and stigmas can affect those who haven’t fully comprehend their feeling and those who stay closeted (keeping their sexual orientation or gender identity as a secret) because they fear the possible negative reactions from family and
Although registered nurses at every level of practice and education receive some instruction in the broad concept of cultural competence, LGBTQI populations are frequently overlooked as a group with its own unique cultural characteristics. This, in turn, contributes to a persistent disparity in healthcare. According to the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics (2012), the Baby Boom generation will increase from 35 million to 72 million by 2030, encompassing nearly 20% of the U.S. population. Estimates of individuals who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender are roughly 4% (Simone & Applebaum, 2009); these are very conservative estimates. This means that nurses will encounter 2-6 million aging LGBTQI Americans in need of healthcare at some point in their lives by 2030 (Simone & Applebaum, 2009).
Perrin, Ellen C., and Benjamin S. Siegel. "Promoting the Well-Being of Children Whose Parents Are Gay or Lesbian." Pediatrics 131.4 (2013): 1374-383. PDF file.
The emergence of gays and lesbians from the shadows of perceived deviancy has led to the formation of civil unions and in an increasingly number of states, marriage. As society has become more open and accepting of homosexuals, an increased number of gay men and women have “come out” of the proverbial closet. These closeted individuals may have previously been married in heterosexual unions and produced offspring prior to freeing themselves of fear and societal constraints. This gives rise to a new interpretation of the blended family. The gay and lesbian blended family. Many gays and lesbians have opted to cohabitate as a family unit merging the heterosexual and homosexual familial entity. Despite the controversies, gays and lesbians with children are becoming more and more a part of the American family landscape. Increasingly, there are blended families with two moms or two dads. During the past decade, the number of same-sex households “grew significantly” in 10 states for which figures have been released: more than 700 percent in Delaware and Nevada; more than 400 percent in Vermont, Indiana, Louisiana and Nebraska; and more than 200 percent in Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts and
Oswald, Ramona Faith. "Family and Friendship Relationships After Young Women Come Out as Bisexual or Lesbian." Journal of Homosexuality 38.3 (1999): 65-83.
The influence of the family and the need to belong to one are extremely powerful forms of control. The deviance that many Latin families try to control is homosexuality as it conflicts with the one of the main concepts of Latin familism, which is to continue the family name and produce children. When it comes to the relationships between LBQ Latinas and their families, there are various degrees of acceptance and control they are subjected. Katie Acosta’s “How Could You Do This To Me?”: How Lesbian, Bisexual, and Queer Latinas Negotiate Sexual Identity with Their Families provides ‘three distinct interaction strategies that study participants report engaging in with their families of origin: (1) erasure of nonconformity, (2) sexual silencing, and (3) avoidance after disclosure’ (Acosta 64). Erasure control is the most direct form of control that the family has. Erasure of the nonconformity is used by the family by erasing and denying the queer identity, sometimes with ‘manipulation tactics’ (Acosta 64). Ways that the Latina women exert control over their LBQ identities are silencing it (and not coming out) and then avoiding their family after coming out. Despite nothing ever being spoken about homosexuality, ‘respondents believe everyone is silently aware of their same-sex relationships’. Familial control of sexuality is powerful, however, as sexuality is a core part of self it cannot completely be control or suppressed. Even though they must continue in secret, or move away, queer women continue to have same sex relationships though it is not always easy to do
Lesbian, gay, transgendered, bi-sexual and those who question their sexuality are discriminated against and in turn, have higher rates of depression. Discrimination in the workplace and in everyday life can be taxing which causes depression to be more prevalent in today's society. In turn, people apart of the LGBTQ community seek therapies, medications and places where they can be heard to ease this burden. Throughout this essay I am hoping to try to find ways for our community to actively prevent this discrimination from continuing. This topic needs extensive research because depression is highly prevalent in this group of the population today.
There are many issues that interfere with the health and happiness of those within the Gay and Lesbian community. The National Association Position Statement on Gays and Lesbians is as attempt to abolish such issues within the social work practice. One place that individuals of any sexual orientation practice should feel safe is with those who have chosen the field of social work as a means to helping the oppressed. Social workers must be aware of their own personal beliefs and values when it comes to the fear of and the misrepresentation of working with this divers group. The consequences of not dealing with such issues and may have a latent manifest in dealing with the Gay and Lesbian population, and if not addressed prior to working in this field, maybe devastating to a client.
The LGBTQIA community has faced strong opposition from groups falling outside this minority for years, primarily conservative and religious groups. This phenomenon is not particular to the United States, but spans hundreds of countries across the world. Religious leaders in varying religions not only oppose the act of marriage, but often times oppose the actual act of homosexual behavior. Often religious oppositionist will cite religious text, like the Bible as a means of opposing the LGBTQIA lifestyle. One of the most blatant oppositions to homosexual b...
In recent years, same-sex relationships have become more encompassing in US society. State legislation is changing such as accepting gay marriages, enforcing anti-discrimination laws, and legal gay adoptions; the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community is becoming public. Gay-headed families, like heterosexuals, are diverse and varying in different forms. Whether a created family is from previous heterosexual relationships, artificial insemination, or adoption, it deserves the same legal rights heterosexual families enjoy. Full adoption rights needs to be legalized in all states to provide a stable family life for children because sexual orientation does not determine parenting skills, children placed with homosexual parents have better well-being than those in foster care, and there are thousands of children waiting for good homes.
Despite the transition, little consideration has been given to understanding the growing population of gay adolescents. 25% of American families are likely to have a gay child (Hidalgo 24); In the United States, three million adolescents are estimated to be homosexual. Yet, American society still ignores gay adolescents. Majority of children are raised in heterosexual families, taught in heterosexual establishments, and put in heterosexual peer groups. Gay adolescents often feel forced by parents to pass as “heterosexually normal” (Herdt 2). As a result, homosexual teens hide their sexual orientation and feelings, especially from their parents. Limited research conducted on gay young adults on disclosure to parents generally suggests that disclosure is a time of familial crisis and emotional distress. Very few researchers argue that disclosure to parents results in happiness, bringing parents and children closer (Ben-Ari 90).
In this essay, I will explain how religion is sometimes used to mobilize against LGBT people, how some people’s religious and personal doctrines conflict regarding LGBT issues, and how religious belief and community can be a positive force for the LGBT community.
Another reason I am interested in social work because it allows me to be an advocate. This is something that I took seriously on a personal level in high school. Growing up in rural Southeastern Idaho, many LGBT members of m...
When one hears the words “LGBT” and “Homosexuality” it often conjures up a mental picture of people fighting for their rights, which were unjustly taken away or even the social emergence of gay culture in the world in the1980s and the discovery of AIDS. However, many people do not know that the history of LGBT people stretches as far back in humanity’s history, and continues in this day and age. Nevertheless, the LGBT community today faces much discrimination and adversity. Many think the problem lies within society itself, and often enough that may be the case. Society holds preconceptions and prejudice of the LGBT community, though not always due to actual hatred of the LGBT community, but rather through lack of knowledge and poor media portrayal.