HHS 320 Ashford University WK 3 Gender and Sexual Orientation Discussion

Original HW Post

Consider a time when you, someone you know, or someone with whom you have worked has felt discriminated against as a result of gender bias or sexual orientation. Were there other diverse issues present, such as religion or racial background that made the situation even more difficult, due to family traditions and culture or other related concerns? Describe a scenario, using appropriate citations, that demonstrates how a culturally sensitive human service worker would manage such a situation towards achieving a positive outcome in 250-300 words. Remember that discrimination and prejudice can have many looks and perspectives not just the obvious or publicized.

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Please support your comments with two references and respond to at least two of your classmates.

Classmate #1

I have seen my sister discriminated against because of her sexual orientation. This came from my own family sadly. My family has been set in their ways and beliefs. I have heard them say some really mean things to her. My mother once told her ,” You are no longer my child! We will not have that in this house!” I will never forget the hurt and pain I saw in her eyes. She lived with so much hurt after that. Very distant, not wanting to communicate and shutting down. I remember her crying and telling me about how mean people were at school. Becoming the joke” or the school, always taunting and teasing. She began to change her real identity and pretend to be someone because she wanted to fit in. She was tired of the pranks being pulled on her.
Another diverse issue that made it harder on her was my grandparents. My grandpa was a preacher and it was against their beliefs and religion to be with someone of the same sex. They were set in their ways” and wouldn’t accept things or ways if it went against their beliefs. This made the situation even worse.
A culturally sensitive human service worker would manage a situation like this with compassion and empathy towards the client. “ Its important to serve all with respect and dignity”( Hodge, 2007).
It’s important to have an open mind and be aware of any biases that I may have myself. I need to understand the client’s feelings . “ I would need the skills, from educational sources to actual experiences to appropriately help my client” (Schmidt, 2006). It’s time we love each other equally and put all biased opinions away. It’s time we stop judging and just love!

References –

Hodge, D. R. (2007). Learning to hear each other’s’ voice: A response to Melendez and LaSala. Social Work, 52(4), 365-374. Retrieved ProQuest database.

Schmidt, J. J. (2006). Social and cultural foundations of counseling and human services: Multiple influences on self-concept development. Pearson Education, Inc.

Classmate # 2

Week 3 Discussion 1

Hello Class, hope everyone is well.

In my experiences in the military, I clearly remember a situation where someone’s sexual orientation was discriminated upon. In July 2017, during a holiday gathering, Soldiers were encourage to bring their spouse or significant others. During the evening Soldiers and their guest were allowed to drink and encouraged to socialize as normal people. Unfortunately during the evening a male spouse of a female Soldier became what appeared to be extremely intoxicated. As the evening begin to come to an end, the male spouse became disgruntle and displayed an expletive rant, pointing and focusing on a specific couple. As people tried assist to calm him down, he made inappropriate gestures toward the specific couple who appeared to be lesbians. Some of rant included, the religious belief that gay people are devils and are going to burn in hell. Before things got physical, he was finally being escorted away by the Military Police. As the MP’s escorted him away, he yelled in their direction “Once you get a piece of me, you’ll never go back”.

What I found most confusing is during the following work day, people were congratulating him for his behavior. Not willing to accept the inappropriate behavior, I took it upon to put myself to gather everyone for an open conversation. I open the conversation with “Wonder If you were in their shoes”. To find myself drunk and my negative behavior brought to my attention, would leave me feeling less than a person. To try to put myself in the shoes of the lesbian couple, I couldn’t begin to understand how people would be so disrespectful towards them.

From that day I’ve always made a special effect to understand the people who I work with and what people of the LGBTQI community go through on a daily basis. My experiences, have taught me to be more culturally sensitive and empathic to people in general. Sexual harassment as well as Sexual Assaults area very a sensitive subject to me. I think as a Professional Human Service worker, sensitive subjects like sexuality differences should include annual documented trainings sessions that could help bridge the gaps and ensure education of all sexual orientations are highlighted. My wiliness to learn and continue to educate myself has helped me the most when talking to my Soldiers who are part of the LGBTQI communities.

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_orientation_and_gender_identity_in_military_service#:~:text=While%20the%20US%20military’s%20Don,from%20entering%20the%20US%20military (Links to an external site.).