by Caitlin C. Ryan, Judith B. Bradford and Julie A. Honnold
jbbradfo@vcu.edu
jhonn@saturn.vcu.edu
CaitlinON@aol.com
page 1-26
An exploratory survey was conducted in 1994 to assess mental health providers' experience with lesbian clients and understanding of lesbians. Probability samples of 250 licensed clinical social workers and 250 licensed professional counselors were randomly generated from Virginia licensure lists. A total of 183 out of 224 respondents were active practitioners and were included in the analysis. Ninety-seven percent of active practitioners reported their sexual orientation; of these, 7% identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Twenty-two percent of respondents had received training or education in lesbian mental health issues (19% of heterosexuals and 58% of lesbians, gays and bisexuals) and most viewed coming out as more positive than negative. Most heterosexual providers defined lesbianism in terms of sexual attraction only, while lesbian, gay and bisexual providers defined lesbianism in both behavioral (sexual) and affectional terms. Providers who thought certain mental health symptoms varied on the basis of sexual orientation generally though lesbians experienced these more frequently. Lesbian, gay and bisexual providers reported a larger number of lesbian clients, defined lesbianism more appropriately, and understood lesbian mental health issues more clearly. Based on study results, lesbians who seek mental health care in Virginia can expect to receive more informed mental health services from lesbian, gay and bisexual providers.
by Sandra S. Butler and Barbara Hope
sandy.butler@umit.maine.edu
page 27-46
Previous research on lesbian health care has drawn primarily from samples of young lesbians living in metropolitan areas. Through face-to-face interviews with twenty-one lesbians aged 54 or older and living in rural communities, this exploratory, naturalistic inquiry begins to fill a gap in the literature by examining the health care experiences of older, rural lesbians. Five themes emerged from the narrative data: issues of access; good health/good care; open to her own diversity; family and community; and visions-ideals and fears. We present these themes through informant quotes and discuss implications for policy and practice.
by Beverly Black, Thomas P. Oles, Elizabeth P. Cramer and Carol K. Bennett
page 47-68
Since the requirement of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) to integrate theoretical and practice content about the oppression of gay and lesbian persons into the curriculum, few studies have assessed the effectiveness of various methods of incorporating the content. This paper reports the results of a study examining the effects of a panel presentation on social work students' attitudes, their anticipated professional practice, and the relationship between their attitudes and professional behavior. It also compares the results from the panel presentation with the results from other intervention methods. Results indicated that the panel presentation had little influence on the attitudes or anticipated professional behavior of students. Intervention methods integrated into the classroom setting influenced the attitudes and anticipated professional behavior of students significantly more than the panel presentation.
by Petula, Sik-ying Ho
psyho@hkucc.hku.hk
page 69-97
Using the case of a mother who has difficulties accepting that her son is gay, this article explores the possibilities of a social constructionist approach for working with gay men and their families. The aim of therapy is to help the mother and son reconstruct the narrative of their relationship. Social reconstructionism can inform clinical practice and become social action that can offer alternatives when working with gay men and their families in Hong Kong. The author provides direction for theory-based interventions with individuals and families and sensitizes practitioners to social cultural issues in the helping process.
by John R. Yoakam
yoaka001@maroon.tc.umn.edu
page 99-114
This article describes the growth and development of support groups for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) youth from one to forty-five in Minnesota from 1990 to 1998. Steps taken to organize these groups included: (1) making initial contacts, (2) building a knowledge base, (3) identifying key people, (4) building skills, and (5) building structure. The author draws from his experience as the Coordinator for School and Community Outreach for the University of Minnesota Youth and AIDS Projects. He concludes that the youth and adults involved in initiating resources for GLBT youth demonstrated their courage by breaking the silence surrounding youth and sexual orientation.
by Christopher J. Alexander
page 115-118
In recent years there has been much public controversy about "conversion or reparative therapies" designed to change homosexuals into heterosexuals. Various national mental health associations have taken a stand against such therapies. Social service professionals who work with gay and lesbian clients need to develop beliefs about the mutability of sexual orientation that reflect sounds research findings.
page 119-125
page 127-129
Transcribed by Aynsley Gough
24 August 1999