Gabrielle Villafuerte, LMSW
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Increase understanding and awareness
Provide sense of safety for LGBTQ community
through cultural competence
Teach attendees how to support and serve the
LGBTQ community.
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Religion + LGBTQ
If being LGBTQ is a choice or not
Politics + LGBTQ
What are some examples of heterosexual
privilege?
Ex: “Expecting to be around others of your
sexuality most of the time.”
“I can start a biological family with my partner.”
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Androgyny
Bisexual
Drag
LGBTQ
Heterosexism
Homophobia
Intersexed
Heteronormative
MTF/ FTM
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Outing
Partner/ Significant Other
Pre-op/ Post-op
Queen/ King
Queer
Questioning
Rainbow Flag
Sexual Minority
Two-Spirit
 Homosexual-
clinical history suggesting it is a
disease or disorder. Preferred: gay or lesbian
 Sexual preference- suggests it is a choice.
Preferred: sexual orientation.
 Queer- offensive to some, especially older
generations. Some younger individuals have
adopted the term as identity.
 fag, faggot, dyke, homo
 “That’s so gay”
 Transvestite-
derogatory to some, someone
who dresses like a woman/man.
 Transsexual- nothing technically wrong with
term, just not so much about the sexual
part. Preferred: transgender
 Gender identity disorder- due to “disorder”.
Preferred: gender dysphoria
 Tranny, cross dresser
1. Identity Confusion- “Could I be gay?” Accept, deny,
reject. May lead to confusion. Needs: Support.
Encouragement to explore sexual identity.
2. Identity Comparison- “Maybe this does
apply to me.” May grieve things they will
give up in order to embrace new identity,
may compartmentalize sexual orientation,
maintains heterosexual identity. Needs:
Develop own definitions, will need info on
sexual identity, community resources,
encouragement to talk about loss of
heterosexual life expectations
3. Identity Tolerance- “I’m not the
only one.” Notes differences
between self and heterosexuals,
seeks out gay and lesbian
culture, may try out
stereotypical roles.
Needs: explore shame feelings
derived from heterosexism, find
positive community connections
and resources.
4. Identity Acceptance- “I will be ok.” Less contact
with heterosexual community, attempts to fit in,
selective disclosure of identity. Needs: explore
feelings of grief and internalized homophobia,
settings for self-disclosure.
5. Identity Pride- “I’ve got to let people know who
I am!” May identify gay culture as sole source of
support. Needs: support exploring anger issues,
coping skills with reactions and responses to
disclosure of identity.
6. Identity SynthesisDevelops holistic view of
self, not just in terms of
sexual orientation.
Becomes an aspect of
oneself.
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Closeted= “I don’t want you to know”
Passing= “I assume you don’t know”
Covering= “I don’t know what you know”
Implicitly Out= “I’m gay, see it if you can”
Explicitly Out= “I’m telling you I am gay”
Publicly Out= “See me as gay”
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Not everyone will be understanding/accepting
Peers may be shocked, confused, and/or
hostile
Rejection from religious community
Permanent changes in some relationships
Harassment or discrimination
Disownment from family, loss of financial
support.
Isolation from community.
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Ability to live honestly
Self-esteem building
Developing closer, more genuine relationships with peers
Alleviating the stress of hiding one’s identity
Connecting with other LGBT peers
Being a member of a community with who you have
things in common
Helping to dispel myths and stereotypes by speaking
about one’s experiences
Being a role model for others
Cultural exchange
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Scared
Vulnerable
Unsure
Relieved
Proud
Ashamed
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Acceptance
Support
Understanding
Comfort
Reassurance
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Dos and Don’ts
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Someone who will
confront instances of
insulting language and
stereotypes, use inclusive
language, work to educate
themselves, treat people
who are LGBT like
everyone else, and
support policies and laws
that promote equality.
A
safe place/person for an LGBT member to
speak openly with. This zone provides a
commitment to support and maintain
confidentiality. This commitment also extends
to people with friends and family members that
are LGBT.
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1962- Illinois becomes 1st state to appeal the anti-sodomy
laws.
1969- Stonewall Riots
1973- Homosexuality is removed from the DSM as a mental
illness.
1982- AIDS was associated as a “gay” disease.
1993- “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy is enacted.
2003- Sodomy Laws become unconstitutional in the United
States.
2004- Massachusetts becomes the first state to legalize same
sex marriage.
2011- “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy ends.
2015- Marriage equality
Stonewall Inn Bar (Greenwich Village in New York
City)
 The bar was well known for catering to the gay,
lesbian and transgender community.
 Raids would be an often occurrence.
 June 28th, 1969 the bar attendees opted to stand
and protest the raids of that night.
 This lead to three days of riots and protest.
 This became known as the spark for gay
liberation movement.
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1973 homosexuality is removed from the
DSM as a mental disorder.
 Homosexuality was listed under the section
of sexual deviations.
 It was replaced by ego-dystonic
homosexuality and eventually completely
removed from the DSM in 1986.
 As
of 2016, 4.1% adults identify LGBTQ
 Large increase due to more millenials
identifying as LGBTQ (7.3%)
 Increases in LGBT Identification Sharper
Among Women, Asians and Hispanics
 Increases in LGBT Identification Largely
Among Those Who Are Not Religious (7%)
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http://www.gallup.com/poll/201731/lgbt-identificationrises.aspx?g_source=lgbt&g_medium=search&g_campaign=tiles
Values of the LGBTQ community often vary
depending on the individual.
 Equality, fair treatment, and social justice.
 Family and love.
 “Second family” for social support is a key value
for many gay and lesbian people.
 Opinion and acceptance of the family is
important. Often times what prevents them from
“coming out”.
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 LGBTQ
relationships are at greater risk for
contracting life-threatening disease.
 Young gay men have become more likely to
contract HIV from a steady sexual partner
than from a casual one.
 Many believe LGBTQ couples tend to raise
children very well due to the pressures of the
world doubting the job can be done.
 “You can’t help who you fall in love with”.
It is believed that there are three different paths to
becoming homosexual.
1. You are “born gay”.
2. You were victimized at some point in your life and have
decided you no longer have anything “special left to
offer the opposite sex”. Lesbian and gay individuals who
suffer from a mental illness may also fall under this
path.
3. “Choice v. Reality”. An individual who has the thought in
the back of their mind or is curious as to what it is like
to be attracted to the same sex and then chooses to “act
on it” and finds satisfaction in their choice may be led
by this path.
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 Gay
men and lesbian women believe it is
okay to enjoy the company of the same sex
and not be sexually or physically attracted to
them.
 Gay Revolution
 What does it mean to “act gay”?
 LGBT
Pride Month is celebrated each year
during the month of June. The month is
reserved to observe LGBTQ history, along
with the history of gay rights.
 World AIDS Day- December 1st
 Transgender Day of Remembrance
(International)- November 20.
 Transgender Visibility Day- March 31st
 Many
religious families are not acceptive of
the LGBTQ lifestyle.
 Many families offer a great support system.
 In America is it expected for the male to
have characteristics such as being a strong
supporter and leader of their family.
 Women are expected to be in tune with their
emotions and take on nurturing roles.
 Intimate
partner violence
 HIV/ AIDS, sex education
 Healthcare barriers
 Bullying, hate crimes
 Suicide risk for teens/ homelessness
 Creation of family
 Gender roles, heteronormative
 Religion, internalized homophobia
 Equal
access to healthcare
 Legal representation
 Inclusive options
 Unisex bathrooms
 Paperwork and applications
 Accepting environment
Not all LGBTQ people identify with LGBTQ
culture
 In some cities, some LGBTQ people live in gay
villages: neighborhood with a high proportion of
gay residents.
 These communities offer social support,
organized events, and celebration of their
culture.
 Depending on what the person identifies as,
their culture may differ.
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Awareness: How are you different and similar to
LGBTQ? Dialogue, workshops, and self-examination.
 Knowledge/ Education: Understand policies, laws,
and practices. How do they affect LGBTQ? Learn
about the cultures and communities within LGBTQ.
 Skills: Communicate awareness and knowledge to
others. Workshops, role-playing, support
connections.
 Action: Effect change in society as a whole through
awareness, advocacy, and policy change.
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 Good
understanding of sexual orientation,
comfortable with own orientation.
 Aware of coming out process. Not a one-time
event. Unique and challenging.
 Many suffer from internalized homophobia
due to heteronormative society and culture.
 LGBTQ are diverse. Sub-communities has own
unique needs and goals.
 Knowledge of HIV/AIDS
 Don’t
assume heterosexuality.
 Use gender neutral language.
 Challenge Stereotypes.
 Avoid heterosexist language.
 Respect how people self-identify.
 Encourage and allow disagreement.
 Remember you are human!
 LGBTQ
may censor their speech less, more
open and genuine with you.
 Peers more at ease, anticipating nonjudgemental atmosphere.
 More turning to you for support or
information about LGBTQ.
 You are making a contribution to improving
your environment.
DSM-V : Gender Dysphoria
Defined by:
• Strong, persistent feelings
of identification with the
opposite gender and
discomfort with one's own
assigned sex.
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Client should receive services/placement
consisted with their self-identified gender.
Wherever the client feels most safe.
Shelter should have enough privacy that an
individual’s genitalia should not be of concern
to other clients.
If other clients are uncomfortable, remind them
it is communal living.
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Transgender people may not “look like” the
people they feel they are
People may not have updated identification to
match identity.
PRIVACY- do not share a client’s gender with
others if different from identity.
Use inclusive language: partner, spouse, gender
instead of sex.
Should you feel uncomfortable asking a question,
feel free to email or submit an anonymous
written question. These questions will be
collected and answered.