Working with GLBTQ Children Youth and Families Working

Working with GLBTQ Children, Youth, and Families

Working with GLBTQ Children, Youth, and Families

Tools for Exploring z Basic Knowledge z Language/Symbols z Coming Out/Found Out z Adaptations for GLBTQ Persons z Assessment & Interventions z Feedback

Basic Knowledge

Heterosexual Privilege z The assumption that all people are heterosexual, or that heterosexuality is the only legitimate way to live one’s life. z. Being a heterosexual in society carries with it power and privileges.

Who is, and who isn’t? z The question of who is gay, lesbian, or bisexual is itself controversial z Frequently people confuse sexual behavior and life styles with sexual identity

The Definition and Scope of Sexual Orientation z Shivley & De Cecco (1977) have developed a useful distinction in dividing sexual identity into four parts: z Biological Sex z Gender Identity z Social Sex Roles z Sexual Orientation

Biological Sex z. The genetic material encoded in chromosomes z. When the sperm fertilizes the egg, a gender is assigned

Gender Identity z. The psychological sense of being male or female

Social Sex Role z. The adherence to the culturally created behaviors and attitudes that are deemed appropriate for males and females

Sexual Orientation z. A combination of all three previously mentioned - biological, psychological, and social z. The commonly accepted, scientific term for the direction of sexual, erotic, and romantic attraction, and its expression to the same and/or opposite gender

Examples of Sexual Orientation z. Heterosexuality z. Homosexuality z. Bisexuality

Why are some people gay or lesbian? z. We don’t exactly know, but there are two theories: z. Biological Essentialism z. Social Construction

Why are some people gay or lesbian? The re-frame of this question is why is it important? The real question is why do some people still have such a problem with GLBTQ persons? GLBTQ persons are not going to go away because some people don’t like them.

At what age can one know they are gay or lesbian? Most experts (Bell & Weinberg, Green, Le Vey) agree that sexual orientation is set by early childhood - age 4 or 5 years. In adolescence, identity becomes solidified in a sexual way

Basic Knowledge z. It is not possible to know if a person is gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered or questioning, unless they tell you. z. There are no outward signs that a person is GLBTQ. z. There is no such things as gay tendencies - only gay stereotypes.

Language

Homosexual

Homo SEXual

Homosexual z. A “medical” term first developed in 1859 by German Physician Ulrich z. An outmoded term used by “others” to define the GLBTQ community z. The word has pathologically-based overtones and associations, even though it was deleted from DSM in 1973

Appropriate Terms Gay Lesbian Bisexual

Gay z. A double meaning word that comes from hiding, oppression, and management of a stigmatized identity. z. This is a term used by mostly males in the community to define itself after Stonewall riots of 1969

Bisexual 1. A normal variation of sexual orientation with affectional, romantic and erotic attraction to either genders- but usually NOT at the same time. 2. A transitional period which acts as a bridge from heterosexuality to a gay or lesbian identity, or vice versa.

Lesbian z An older term derived from the Greek island of Lesbos where the poet Sappho wrote about her love for women. z An emotionally charged term, no double meaning. Not a term that all homosexually identified women use. z Differentiates the experience of sexual identity by gender- gay males are very different from lesbian females.

Gay Lesbian Bisexual

Questioning Transgendered

Questioning 1. Those who are “going through a phase, ” i. e. , experimentation, situational homosexuality 2. Those who have survived sexual abuse, without treatment, especially same-gendered abuse 3. Those with some types of serious psychiatric illnesses

Transgendered An umbrella term for several groups of individuals: 1. Transvestites 2. Transsexuals 3. Drag Queens/ Kings 4. Cross Dressers

Transvestite z. Remains a diagnostic category in DSM IV z. Heterosexual orientation, usually, though not always, associated with fetishism z. Not many youth in child welfare settings are transvestites

Drag Queens/Kings z. It’s about performance/illusion z. Drag Queens: Ru Paul; Geraldine (Flip Wilson); Dame Edna (Barry Humphreys) z. Drag Kings: Lily Tomlin, Tracey Ullman z Heterosexual or Gay/Lesbian

Cross Dressing z. It’s about costuming, make-up, jewelry, hair styles z. Stretching the boundaries of sex roles z. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual youth cross dress z. If it’s more than costuming, it may be about gender identity

Transsexuals z. DSM IV Diagnostic Category Exists z. Gender Identity Disorder z“Gender Dysphoria” z. It’s about Gender Identity, one’s sense of maleness or femaleness z. Do not focus on genitalia z. The sex change operation

Symbols

Rainbow Flag/Stripe z. Flag with six colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple is a symbol of unity and pride. z. Rainbow rings - Freedom rings are multicolored aluminum oxidized rings on a chain, symbol of pride z. Stripe on a car decal

Pink Triangle/Black Triangle z. Pink Triangle is a symbol adopted from Nazi Germany, where homosexuals were interred along with Jews, and other stigmatized populations chosen for annihilation. z. Black Triangle is another symbol adopted from Nazi Germany, where never married women, women with no children, presumed to be lesbian, were interred.

Colors Purple and Lavender z. Combination of pink and blue makes lavender or purple. z. Gay colors of pride

Other Symbols z. Lambda, 11 th letter of the Greek alphabet z. Labarys, double edged axe z. Intertwined genetic symbols for male z. Intertwined genetic symbols for female z. Combination of male, female and a blended symbol for transgendered persons

Coming Out Being Found Out

Disclosure The point at which a lesbian, gay or bisexual person openly acknowledges their sexual orientation to another. It is not appropriate to use terms such as“discovered, admitted, revealed, found out, declared”, to describe this phenomena. These are pejorative terms which suggest judgment and should be avoided by helping professionals.

A Process of Coming Out 1. I am NOT gay or lesbian. 2. I think I might be different- but I am definitely NOT gay or lesbian. 3. Suppose I was gay or lesbian, what would that mean? 4. I think I might be gay or lesbian or bisexual.

A Process of Coming Out 5. I think I need to tell someone that I might be gay or lesbian or bisexual. 6. I think I need to tell some other people that I trust that I am gay or lesbian or bisexual. 7. I know I am a gay or lesbian person. 8. Being gay or lesbian is an integrated part of my identity.

A Process of Being Found Out z. When a person is not prepared to come out z. A surprise/unplanned disclosure z. This can occur via phone calls, letters, glbtq related materials z. This is a family system in crisis z. Do family preservation workers know how to preserve this type of family?

Adaptations to a GLBTQ Identity

An Ecological Approach to Adaptation z. Change Self z. Change Environment z. Migrate to a More Affirming Place

Adaptations to a GLBTQ Orientation z. Repress same-gender feelings and identifications z. Sublimate same-gendered feelings z. Harm Self z. Accept Self

Repression z. Push it down z. Hide, hyper-monitor behavior and expressions z. Neurosis is indiscriminate, it will pop out when you least expect it z. Energy Draining and Maladaptive

Sublimation z. Positive or Negative z. Positive - clubs, academics, overcompensation z. Negative - drugs, alcohol, school drop out, “accidents” z. Both are maladaptive and harmful in the long-run

Harm Self z. At-risk behaviors z. Substance abuse (numbs the pain); prostitution, homelessness z. Suicidality, GLBTQ youth 3 x more likely to attempt suicide z. Low self esteem, sense of self worth and estrangement from family

Accept Self z. Finding a peer group z. Identifying services z. Integrating identity into life z. Resiliency Issues

Assessment

Major Clinical Issues z. Anxiety z. Depression z. Issues Around Coming Out z. School Problems z. Family Problems

Formulating the Assessment z. Where is the youth at in their own process of sexual identity formation? z. What are the cultural/religious/racial/class/age issues? z. Is the youth at risk for violence at school, in the community, or at home?

Formulating the Assessment con’t z. What are the salient family issues? z. What is your own comfort level/skill as a practitioner? z. How can you facilitate/impede this process?

Intervention z. Assume a neutral stance z. Make sure you have a good working knowledge of the issues z. Allow for ambiguity - be where the client is at z. Assure confidentiality

Intervention con’t z. Individual and group interventions are both effective strategies z. Use bibliotherapy (in office) z. Be prepared to work with families

Feedback What do GLBTQ Youth Need? What do Families Need?

What Do GLBTQ Youth Need? z. The same things that all youth need z. Caring adults who will listen and guide them z. Competent professionals who will do their own homework z. An array of health and mental health services that are GLBTQ friendly

What Do GLBTQ Youth Need? Con’t z. Opportunities to date and to be a developmentally age-appropriate gay or lesbian teenager z. Safe schools that are harassment/violence free z. Families that will continue to love them after disclosure

What Do GLBTQ Affected Families Need? z. Opportunities to process shame, guilt, embarrassment, hopefully pride z. Individual and group interventions z. Time to recover from the crisis of initial disclosure

What Do GLBTQ Affected Families Need? Con’t z. All family members (grandparents, sibs, cousins) need opportunities to process feelings z. Bibliotherapy - accurate information to replace myths and stereotypes z. Time to reframe what it means to have a GLBTQ family member

Conclusions

What Should Social Workers/Health Care Professionals Do? z Do not focus on identifying a GLBTQ youth z Focus on creating safe and affirming environments z Focus on providing many opportunities for the youth to disclosure z Accept that no matter what you do, some GLBTQ youth may opt not to disclose to you

What Should Social Workers/Health Care Professionals Do? z. Work to create organizational change z. Work to insist that you are trained in this area z Remain open and use GLBTQ cultural guides z. Continue to do “your own” work in this area

Green Chimneys GLBTQ Services z. Gramercy Residence z. SILP Apartment Program z. TLP Apartment Program z. AOBH Program

Green Chimneys GLBTQ Services z. Audre Lorde High School z. Mentoring Program z. Triangle Tribe Training & Technical Assistance Services

Gerald P. Mallon, DSW Associate Professor and Executive Director Hunter College School of Social Work 129 East 79 th Street New York, New York 10021 212 452 -7043 - phone 212 452 -7051 - fax mrengmal@aol. com - email www. hunter. cuny, edusocworknrcfcpp