9 Chapter 9: Sexual Orientation and Identity
Grounding and Groundwork
CSWE Competency 3 Reminder: The dimensions of diversity are understood as the intersectionality of factors including but not limited to age, caste, class, color, culture, disability and ability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, generational status, immigration status, legal status, marital status, political ideology, race, nationality, religion and spirituality, sex, sexual orientation, and tribal sovereign status. Social workers understand that this intersectionality means that a person’s life experiences may include oppression, poverty, marginalization, and alienation as well as privilege and power. Social workers understand the societal and historical roots of social and racial injustices and the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination
- Queer is a term people often use to express a spectrum of identities and orientations that are counter to the mainstream. Queer is often used as a catch-all to include many people, including those who do not identify as exclusively straight and/or folks who have non-binary or gender-expansive identities. This term was previously used as a slur, but has been reclaimed by many parts of the LGBTQ+ movement (Brittanica, 2022)
- LGBTQ+ is an acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. The Q generally stands for queer when LGBTQ organizations, leaders, and media use the acronym. In settings offering support for youth, it can also stand for questioning. LGBT and LGBTQ+ are also used, with the + added in recognition of all non-straight, non-cisgender identities. (See Transgender Glossary ) Both are acceptable, as are other versions of this acronym. The term “gay community” should be avoided, as it does not accurately reflect the diversity of the community. Rather, LGBTQ community or LGBTQ+ community are recommended (GLAAD, 2022)
- Sexual Orientation is the scientifically accurate term for an person’s enduring physical, romantic and/ or emotional attraction to another person. Sexual orientations can include heterosexual (straight), lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, asexual, and other orientations. Avoid the offensive term “sexual preference,” which is used to inaccurately suggest that being gay, lesbian, or bisexual is voluntary and “curable.” People need not have had specific sexual experiences to know their own sexual orientation; in fact, they need not have had any sexual experience at all (GLAAD, 2022)
- Sexual Fluidity is the notion that sexuality can change over time and in different situations (WebMD, 2022).
Theoretical Frameworks/Models
Language Matters
- APA Antibias Guide, Sexual Orientation,2022
- An Ally’s Guide to Terminology, GLAAD, 2022
Intersections & Institutions
- Orientation & SES/Residential Systems: Homelessness and Housing Instability AMong LGBTQ Youth (Trevor Project, 2022)
- Orientation & RSPW: Q Christian Resources & Theology 101 (Retrieved 2023) OR Gay and Lesbian Vaishnava Association, or KESHET (Jewish Queer Inclusion), OR Muslims for Progressive Values-LGBTQ
- Orientation and Orientation: Bisexual-Erasure (GLAAD, 2022)
Stories & Celebrations Related to Social Work Competencies
CSWE Competency 2 Reminder:
Social workers advocate for and engage in strategies to eliminate oppressive structural barriers to ensure that social resources, rights, and responsibilities are distributed equitably and that civil, political, economic, social, and cultural human rights are protected.
- Queer Freedom: How Can We Be Both Held and Free? (We Can Do Hard Things Podcast, 2021)
- House Passes Bill to Protect Same-Sex Marriage (CNN, 2022)
- Broadcast TV Now Features Record Number of LGBTQ Characters, (THR, 2022).
Reflection & Next Steps
- Questions
- Connections
- Social Work Scenarios
- Continued Reading/Watching/Listening
References
Bisexual erasure. (2015, September 17). GLAAD. https://www.glaad.org/accordionview/bisexual-erasure
Gardner, C. (2022, February 17). GLAAD: Broadcast TV Now Features Record Number of LGBTQ Characters. The Hollywood Reporter. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/lgbtq-tv-characters-glaad-report-2022-1235094632/
GLAAD Media Reference Guide—LGBTQ Terms. (2022, February 24). GLAAD. https://www.glaad.org/reference/terms
GLAAD Media Reference Guide—Transgender Terms. (2022, February 22). GLAAD. https://www.glaad.org/reference/trans-terms
Glossary of Terms. (n.d.). Human Rights Campaign. https://www.hrc.org/resources/glossary-of-terms
Homelessness and Housing Instability Among LGBTQ Youth. (2022, February 3). The Trevor Project. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/research-briefs/homelessness-and-housing-instability-among-lgbtq-youth-feb-2022/
An Ally’s Guide to Terminology: Talking About LGBTQ People & Equality (2020). Movement Advancement Project. MAP’s Talking About LGBT Issues series. https://www.lgbtmap.org/allys-guide-to-terminology
Nation, L. (2021, October 4). What is queer theory & why is it important? LGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/10/queer-theory-101-matters/
Sexual orientation. (2019). Https://Apastyle.Apa.Org. https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/bias-free-language/sexual-orientation
We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle: QUEER FREEDOM: How can we be both held and free? on Apple Podcasts. (2021). Apple Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/queer-freedom-how-can-we-be-both-held-and-free/id1564530722?i=1000527944855
Wilson, D. D., Clare Foran, Kristin. (2022, December 8). House passes bill to protect same-sex marriage in landmark vote sending it to Biden | CNN Politics. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/08/politics/same-sex-marriage-vote-house/index.html