Discussion Post: Personal and Professional Social Work Values
Heterosexism is defined as "the discrimination or prejudice by heterosexuals against homosexuals" (merriam-webster) and is predicated on the belief that being heterosexual is the norm and the only accepted type of relationship.
Everyday heterosexism is exemplified in our media, our policies, and daily practices. By making these assumptions, social workers can be in part culpable for the oppression and marginalization experienced by the LGBTQ community.
As a profession, social work embraces diversity and strives to ensure equal rights for all. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is committed to supporting the needs of these groups and, in turn, they created the National Committee on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Issues. During this week's discussion you will be asked to consider how one's own personal views on sexual orientation may clash with the profession's stance.
Task
Post a scenario of how a social worker's personal, ethical, and moral values in relation to the LGBTQ community might conflict with those of their clients. Explain the distinction between personal ethics and values and professional ethics and values evident in the social work profession in addressing this community. Be specific and explain how this distinction relates to the scenario you posted. Also explain how prejudice and bias might create barriers to fulfilling your professional responsibility to the LGBTQ community.
Homework: Project Progress
You will submit a recorded PowerPoint presentation on a cultural event in which you participate. This final project allows faculty to evaluate how you integrate the various concepts related to diversity, human rights, and social justice. You will be expected to evaluate course content as you share aspects of your experience. You are asked to provide an updated on your progress.
It is recommended that you to attend the event to prevent last minute challenges with this homework, such as in the case when an event is cancelled. The event should be open to the public and be related to a diverse social identity. Places that may list cultural events, meetings, or experiences include your local or neighborhood newspaper, church bulletins, local colleges, primary schools, or your local library.
Below are some possible ideas:
1) Check your Office of Multicultural Affairs
2) Town hall?meeting in another part of town
3) Local churches
4) Local training
5) Local Agencies
6) Identify local multicultural communities to see if there are any events
7) Pride Event/Parade
8) Contact a town visitor center
9) Civic Committee
If you have difficulty identifying a cultural event in your community, please contact your Instructor immediately.
For this homework, consider a short checklist of items to confirm you are prepared for this homework.
Task
Submit?your response to the following prompts:
1) Identify the cultural event that you plan to experience to fulfill the requirements for the main project.
2) What event have you identified? Where is the agency/activity that you plan to attend?
3) When are you planning to attend the event/activity? What is the specific date and time?
4) How does this activity/event differ from your own diverse experience?
5) What challenges you foresee with completing this Project?
6) What are you looking forward to as you complete this project?
7) Have you reviewed the resources and practiced using Personal Capture to create a recorded PowerPoint presentation, so you are prepared to submit the presentation correctly (see Document: Kaltura Personal Capture - QuickStart Guide (PDF) in Required Resources)?
Journal Homework: Social Workers and the LGBTQ Population and Advocacy, Internationally
The LGBTQ community continues to experience incidences of prejudice and bias. Not only are these prejudices exemplified in interpersonal interactions through slurs and violent acts but also in the policies maintained in social work agencies and institutions. On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court extended marriage rights to same-sex partners. Since this ruling, the federal government has extended all federal and military/veteran benefits to married same-sex couples. Despite this progress, states continue to debate laws and policies that would legalize forms of discrimination toward LGBTQ individuals. Advocacy organizations, such as the Human Rights Campaign, provide policy maps showing the different rights provided in different states. Social workers are expected to fight to eliminate these inequalities throughout communities, programs, and institutions.
Around the world, members of the LGBTQ community continue to struggle for their rights. In some countries, they have made some progress. In 2016, 20 countries legally recognized marriage for same-sex couples (Human Rights Campaign, 2016). However, in other countries, the LGBTQ community faces much greater obstacles, and the consequences of fighting for basic rights are grave for both LGBTQ individuals and allies. Being gay is a crime punishable by death in 10 countries and is illegal in a total of 73 countries (Human Rights Campaign, 2016). Because of the violence and social exclusion experienced globally, LGBTQ individuals may seek refugee status because of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression (UN High Commissioner for Refugees [UNHCR], 2016).
Human Rights Campaign. (2019). State Maps of Laws & Policies.
Human Rights Campaign. (2016). International.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees. (2015). Protecting persons with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities: A global report on UNHCR's efforts to protect Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex asylum-seekers and refugees.
To prepare: Consider the following statement:
NASW encourages the adoption of laws that recognize inheritance, insurance, same-sex marriage, child custody, property, and other rights in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender relationships. The Association firmly believes that all federal protections and responsibilities available to legally married people in the United States should be available to people who enter same sex unions (including domestic partnerships, civil unions, and same sex marriages).
Then, read or view the United Nations Address on Global LGBT Rights by Hillary Clinton.
Clinton, H. (2011, December). Gay rights abroad. Speech delivered in recognition of International Human Rights Day, Geneva, Switzerland. Text posted with permission from the White House Office of Communications.
Xtra. (2012, March 13). Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's historic LGBT speech - full length - high definition.
Task
Submit 2 to 3 pages reaction to this statement of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Describe what you think is the role of social workers in equal rights and access to LGBTQ populations. Next provide a detailed explanation of your reaction to the United Nations Address on Global LGBT Rights. Then, explain why, in the context of practicing social work in North America, it is important for us to acknowledge and address sexual orientation and gender diversity of marginalized populations across the world. Explain the role of social workers on an international level in relation to the rights of the LGBTQ community. Identify specific skills and actions you would employ as an advocate.
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
(1) The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
(2) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
(3) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.