Social Work with People Practicing Same-Sex ... - ILGA Europe

— Next time, if someone asks
you: “How did you become
a lesbian?” — Answer this:
“First of all, lesbians take only
talented, you need to pass an
interview. Many drop out at the
swimsuits and evening gowns
competition.
Karen Williams, American
comedian actress
40
provide adequate information and help in counselling MSM and WSW, letting these
people realize that this organization is working for their benefit too.
Members of organizations may have deeply embedded stereotypes regarding members
of the LGBT community, MSM and WSW, and have negative views on them because of
the lack of knowledge. Some may assume that their religious beliefs do not allow being
tolerant to MSM and WSW. In such case, the staff will require training on tolerance and
perhaps an individual consultation. In order to be able to affectively address different
audiences, it is essential for NGOs to conduct regular professional improvement seminars
and trainings for those working with various categories of population, including LGBN,
MSM and WSW.
Dialog with patient/client
Person who came to a doctor will certainly not start talking about his/her sexual
orientation all at once. And in a social environment, where heterosexual standard of
relationships is dominant, counsellors and health workers without being aware of it
themselves come from a presumption that the person is most likely heterosexual. This
is particularly reflected in speech, manner of counselling, the way the issue is addressed
and resolved, types of advice given and altogether does not help create an atmosphere
of trust when dealing with MSM and WSW patients/clients. If you are actively working
on yourself, on overcoming your own phobias and prejudices and, accordingly, your
speech, you may change your verbal stereotypes and style of counselling. In this case,
patient's/client's coming out will not confuse you, for you realize that all are different
but all are equal and all have a right to assistance and support which should meet
person's needs, and you, as a specialist, are called upon to offer this assistance and
support. It is important to remember that homosexual and bisexual patients/clients,
most probably faced a negative and traumatic experience in dealing with doctors and
social workers, therefore, it will take both time and patience to establish an atmosphere
of trust with them.
Characteristics of the language of communication
Remember that your language cliches primarily affect the establishing of a trusting
atmosphere between you and your client/patient. A key element in establishing trust
relations is the ability to listen and hear and adhere to the self-description that the
client/patient is providing to you.
Use words and phrases which your patient/client uses when talking about himself/
herself and his/her sexual partner, relationships, problems and emotional experiences.
Use open-ended questions, without making premature assumptions about your patient/
client's partner's gender or his/her sexual behaviour.
It is very important to remember that:
• by far not all MSM and WSW identify themselves as gays, bisexual people and
lesbians, many of them disapprove of their own homosexual behaviour and are
ashamed to talk about it;
• female patients/clients, identifying themselves as lesbians, could have had
relationships with men or been married in the past and some of them have
children;
• gay males could have had relationships with women, some were married; and
• many MSM and WSW have relationships with partners of both sexes