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Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and
Transgender Issues in Counselor Education and Supervision:
A Call to Advocacy
Glenda R. Elliott
Associate Professor Emerita, Univ of Ala in Birmingham
Abstract
As a means of raising awareness, providing knowledge, and enhancing
skills related to gay, lesbian,
bisexual, and transgender issues in counseling, this article describes
from the perspective
of advocacy counseling illustrative issues faced by counselor educators
and supervisors and
identifies resources for responding to these issues in sound, ethical,
and therapeutic ways.
Author’s note: This article was prepared during the author’s term as
Chair of the Committee on
Current Issues, 2004-2005, of the Alabama Counseling Association. The
author would like to
thank Dr. Angela M. Stowe, Director of Disability Support Services,
University of Alabama at
Birmingham, for her invaluable assistance in the preparation of the
article. Correspondence
regarding this article should be directed to: Glenda R. Elliott, 503
Woodland Village,
Birmingham, Alabama 35216. Email:
elliottg@bellsouth.net.
Ethical standards (American Counseling Association, 1995) and
accreditation requirements
(Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational
Programs, 2001) make it clear
that counselors are responsible for providing competent counseling
services that are respectful of
diversity and free of discrimination and bias. Likewise, counselor
educators and supervisors have
the responsibility for providing the training of counselors who can
provide these services.
An important element of this training involves awareness, knowledge, and
skills related to
gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) issues in counseling
(Israel, 2004; Israel, Ketz,
Detrie, Burke, & Shulman, 2003; Phillips, 2000). Associated with this
training is the emerging
concept of advocacy counseling (Kiselica & Robinson, 2001; Stone, 2003)
which encourages
counselors to be concerned not only with intrapsychic and interpersonal
change but also to be
aware of and seek to reduce barriers in society that inhibit the full
development of individuals.
Because of the stigmatization of homosexuality in American society the
importance of the concept
of advocacy counseling related to GLBT issues is evident.
While there is some indication of increasing acceptance of GLBT
individuals in American
society, only seventeen states have laws banning discrimination based on
sexual orientation. A
sample of the thirty-three states that do not cover sexual orientation
includes Alabama, Arizona,
Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina,
Tennessee, and Texas
(NGLTF, 2005c).
In addition to the absence of state laws prohibiting discrimination
based on sexual orientation,
statements by public officials and leaders in some states continue to
perpetuate toxic
environments for many GLBT individuals and their families. For example,
in a ruling denying
custody of a son to his lesbian mother by the Alabama Supreme Court,
then Chief Justice Roy
Moore stated in his opinion that homosexuality was considered
“abhorrent, immoral, detestable,
a crime against nature and a violation of the laws of nature and of
nature’s God” (D. H. v. H. H.,
2002).
Related to hate crimes legislation, currently thirty-two states and the
District of Columbia
have hate crime statutes that specifically include crimes based on the
real or perceived sexual
orientation of the victim. A sample of the remaining eighteen states
that do not cover sexual orientation
includes Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South
Carolina,
Virginia, and West Virginia (NGLTF, 2005b).
Further evidence of stigmatization can be found in those states where
legislation has been
introduced prohibiting the rights of gay and lesbian individuals to
marry. For example, a sample
of the states having introduced and/or passed state laws or state
constitutional amendments prohibiting
same-sex marriage include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia,
Illinois,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, and Virginia
(NGLTF, 2005a).
Concerning the safety of sexual minority youth in schools, a recent
survey and analysis of
state laws that affect school environments and safety for all students,
particularly GLBT students,
revealed forty-two states received failing grades. The ten states with
the lowest, failing
scores in order were Utah, Texas, Montana, Arkansas, Oklahoma,
Louisiana, Idaho, Alabama,
Arizona, and Mississippi (GLSEN, 2004).
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Issues
That the stigmatization of GLBT people and their families continues to
exist in American
society is obvious and deserving of the attention of counselors,
counselor educators, and supervisors.
As a means of raising awareness, providing knowledge, and enhancing
skills related to
GLBT issues in counselor education and supervision, this article
presents some illustrative
issues currently being faced by many counselor educators and supervisors
and describes helpful
resources in responding to these issues in sound, therapeutic, and
ethical ways.
Issue #1: As a counselor educator, how can I provide an opportunity in
class discussion for
different beliefs and perspectives on GLBT issues among students while
at the same time
upholding our professional codes of ethics?
This issue reflects the larger dilemma some counselor educators and
supervisors face in reconciling
their own personal values and beliefs regarding homosexuality with their
professional
role responsibilities. In finding ways to function ethically within the
tension of this conflict,
these counselor educators and supervisors have an important opportunity
to serve as significant
role models for their students and supervisees who also have similar
conflicts.
All counselor educators and supervisors can demonstrate to students and
supervisees ways to
hold their personal, individual beliefs while at the same time
demonstrating behavior and attitudes
consistent with the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics
and
Standards of Practice (1995), the ethical codes and position statements
of ACA Divisions and
related professional associations and state licensing boards. For
example, one of the position
statements of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), “Sexual
Orientation of
Youth”, includes a clear statement of the ethical responsibilities of
school counselors related to
sexual orientation issues for youth. Reflecting an emphasis also on
advocacy, the summary of
the statement indicates the following:
The professional school counselor is committed to the inclusion and
affirmation of
youths of all sexual orientations. The professional school counselor
supports
consciousness-raising among school counselors and increased modeling of
inclusive
language, advocacy and equal opportunity for all. This is done to break
through
individual, social and institutional behaviors and expectations limiting
the
development of human potential in all populations (ASCA, 2000).
This statement can serve as a springboard for discussion and
clarification of the ethical responsibilities
of counselors in all settings related to sexual orientation and gender
identity issues.
An excellent classroom strategy designed to raise awareness of GLBT
issues and promote
respectful classroom discussion is the model suggested by Liddle and
Stowe (2002). They
described the advantages of a lesbian/heterosexual team approach to
education on GLBT issues
in which the lesbian lecturer presents material based on her personal
experience and professional
expertise and the heterosexual lecturer facilitates the discussion of
the issues that are raised.
Another very useful strategy is the one developed by Pearson (2003) who
described a counselor
training seminar incorporating popular songs, readings, and class
discussion to increase
awareness, provide information, and suggest counseling interventions for
sexual minority
clients. Dillon et al. (2004) described the process by which a group of
counselors-in39
training developed more LGB affirmative attitudes. These authors also
addressed advocacy skill
development and sociopolitical awareness. An additional, excellent
resource is the historical
perspective delineated very effectively by Robertson (2004) on the
effects of depathologizing
homosexuality on the counseling profession.
Issue #2: As a supervisor of practicum students and interns or potential
Associate Licensed
Counselor supervisees, how can I communicate the expectation that GLBT
issues and concerns
will be treated respectfully and nonjudgmentally in the supervision
process?
During the orientation phase of the supervision process, it is expected
that supervisors will
review with supervisees the ACA Code of Ethics and Standards of
Practice, the relevant codes
of ethics of the ACA Divisions and the codes of ethics of state
licensure boards as well as
departmental and/or on-site requirements and expectations which ideally
reflect relevant ethical
codes and standards.
Supervisors can also allow opportunity for and
encourage supervisees to
discuss in an open and nonthreatening way any potential issues
supervisees may have regarding
GLBT issues as well as any other issues related to culturally diverse
populations. A very helpful
supervision model related to GLBT issues is the model developed by Bruss,
Brack, Brack,
Glickauf-Hughes, and O’Leary (1997)
The orientation phase also provides an excellent opportunity for
supervisors to model in
their interactions with supervisees their own openness to and acceptance
of GLBT concerns the
supervisees may need to address in the supervision process. Being aware
of the possible patterns
of interaction which reflect the views and beliefs about homosexuality
held individually by the
supervisor and supervisee can be beneficial to supervisors in examining
this dynamic in the
supervision process. Very useful resources for examining these types of
interaction patterns have
been developed by Ancis and Ladany (2001) and earlier by Buhrke (1989)
An adaptation of the interaction types described by Buhrke (1989) shows
clearly how important
it is for counselor educators and supervisors to be role models of
acceptance of GLBT
issues in the supervision process. The first pattern occurs when the
supervisor is not GLBT
affirming and neither is the supervisee. In this pattern, for example,
homosexuality is seen as
pathological and the cause of other problems a supervisee’s GLBT client
may be experiencing.
The supervisee is encouraged to focus on a cure or change in sexual
orientation in the client.
The second pattern occurs when the supervisor is not GLBT affirming and
the supervisee is
affirming. In this pattern, the supervisee may be fearful of judgment
and may hide or not bring
up any issues related to sexual orientation. If the client or supervisee
is GLBT, this pattern can
be potentially detrimental to either one. Very importantly, in both the
first and second patterns of
interaction, transference and countertransference issues may be dealt
with minimally and ethical
violations, particularly the abuse of power, may occur.
A potentially complicated pattern of interaction not included in the
first or second types may
occur when the supervisor is GLBT and is not open about his or her
sexual orientation or gender
identity, but the supervisee is GLBT affirming. The supervisee may sense
this dynamic and feel
protective of the supervisor, thus avoiding any discussion of GLBT
related issues. If the GLBT
supervisor still has acceptance issues to resolve regarding his or her
own coming out process,
this pattern may resemble aspects of the second pattern. On the other
hand, if the supervisor is
GLBT affirming to oneself, while choosing in the supervision process not
to reveal his or her sexual
orientation or gender identity, the pattern can resemble aspects of the
fourth, ideal pattern of
interaction in which the supervisor indicates an affirming openness to
discussion of GLBT
issues in supervision.
In the third pattern, conflict is present, but a positive resolution is
possible. When the supervisor
is GLBT affirming and the supervisee is not affirming, the supervisor,
as a positive role
model, can facilitate the exploration of GLBT issues in a supportive,
nonjudgmental way. An
example of this type of interaction is the following case vignette:
Vignette: A school counseling supervisee found herself working with a
lesbian
student during her internship. The student’s presenting problem was
based in her
anxiety about the coming out process and her pain over the taunting
episodes she
had experienced in school. The supervisee described herself as
conservative in
her religious beliefs against homosexuality. Initially, she did not
think she should
or could work with this student. However, during supervision, she
explored her
ethical responsibility not to discriminate and not to impose her own
personal
value system on the student. Subsequently, she was able to keep a
boundary between
her professional obligations and her personal belief system by focusing
on the
student’s pain and struggle. By maintaining an affective focus and
responding
to the emotional content of the student’s issues and concerns, the
supervisee
was able to address the student’s needs successfully (C. Daughhetee,
personal
communication, April 12, 2005).
The ethical challenge for the supervisor in this example is to respect
the supervisee’s perspective
(moral and/or religious) on homosexuality while presenting a
nonjudgmental perspective
consistent with ethical standards. In this pattern, the supervisor
clearly models for students
and supervisees ways to work with clients who are experiencing similar
conflicts.
Transference and countertransference issues can be openly discussed and
ethical violations more
easily avoided.
The fourth pattern is the ideal pattern in which both supervisor and
supervisee are GLBT
affirming. Issues are addressed openly, free of bias and judgment. If a
supervisee’s client and/or
the supervisee is GLBT, the coming out process can be discussed openly
and facilitated. If the
supervisor is also an openly GLBT person, he or she can serve as a
positive, responsible role
model as a counselor educator or supervisor who is also openly GLBT.
Transference and countertransference
issues can be openly discussed and ethical violations more easily
avoided.
A very useful means for examining counselor educator and supervisor
self-awareness
regarding GLBT issues is the model described by Mohr (2002). The model
includes a discussion
not only of barriers to, but also ways to facilitate, effective
counseling practice with GLBT
clients (Mohr, 2002).
Issue # 3: Should GLBT counselor educators and supervisors reveal their
sexual orientation
and/or gender identity?
This issue reflects a very difficult dilemma for most GLBT counselor
educators and supervisors,
especially those who work in universities and agencies that do not
specify sexual orientation
in the institutional nondiscrimination policies. For example, in
Alabama, currently only one
public, state university includes sexual orientation in its
nondiscrimination policy, a
recent change in policy which occurred in May, 2004 (University of
Alabama at Birmingham,
2004). It is also very likely that many public and private mental health
agencies and institutions
do not include sexual orientation in the nondiscrimination policies of
the agencies, particularly
in those states that do not cover sexual orientation in the their
nondiscrimination laws.
Therefore, for a GLBT counselor educator or supervisor to be open about
his or her sexual orientation
or gender identity may mean risking job security as well as risking the
disfavor of nonaffirming
colleagues, students, and supervisees. Nevertheless, GLBT students and
supervisees
can benefit significantly in their personal and professional development
from knowing positive
role models. Lark and Croteau (1998) presented a very compelling case
for the importance of
mentoring by openly gay, lesbian, bisexual faculty members in graduate
counseling and psychotherapy
programs.
What is obvious in the face of this dilemma is the need for heterosexual
colleagues to serve
as allies and advocates for their GLBT colleagues, students, and
supervisees. They can work
with GLBT colleagues in lobbying their institutions and agencies to
include sexual orientation
in the nondiscrimination policies. Even if institutions and agencies
continue to exclude sexual
orientation in their policies, counselor education programs and
community agencies can develop
and publicize, in printed and website information, policies that are
inclusive and nondiscriminating
regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. Specifically, in
counselor education programs,
members of departmental faculties can work together to insure GLBT
issues are included
fairly and ethically throughout the curriculum, reflecting the ACA
Ethical Code and Standards
of Practice and CACREP Standards. On an individual level, heterosexual
colleagues, counselor
educators, and supervisors can always offer their invaluable acceptance,
understanding, and support
to their GLBT colleagues, students, and supervisees.
Conclusion
In reviewing these illustrative dilemmas faced by counselor educators
and supervisors in
responding ethically and competently to GLBT issues, it becomes apparent
that counselor
educators and supervisors are called to be advocates for greater
awareness, enhanced knowledge,
and effective skills related to GLBT issues. Furthermore, to be an
advocate in the area of
GLBT issues in counseling requires the development of a personal moral
imperative (Kiselica &
Robinson, 2001). This imperative can serve to drive and sustain the
efforts of counselor educators
and supervisors who serve as advocacy counselors in the face of
inevitable resistance and
criticism. This article takes the position that in developing a personal
moral imperative and in
following sound, ethical, and therapeutic principles and practices,
counselor educators and
supervisors will train counselors who will demonstrate the requisite
awareness, knowledge, and
skills to respond effectively to GLBT issues in counseling.
References
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practice.
Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
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orientation of
youth.
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Ancis, J. R. & Ladany, N. (2001). A multicultural framework for
counselor supervision. In L. J.
Bradley and N. Ladney (Eds.), Counselor supervision: Principles,
process, and practice
(pp.63-90). Philadelphia: Brunner-Routledge.
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(1997). A developmental
model for supervising therapists treating gay, lesbian, and bisexual
clients. The
Clinical Supervisor, 15(1), 61-73.
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Women & Therapy, 8,195-206.
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Programs. (2001). The 2001
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A., & Guerra, R.M. (2004). On becoming allies: A qualitative study of lesbian-, gay-,
and bisexual- affirmative counselor training. Counselor Education & Supervision, 43(3), 162-178.
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state of the states
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Israel, T. (2004). What counselors need to know about working with
sexual minority clients. In
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347-364). New
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Israel, T., Ketz, K., Detrie, P., Burke, M., & Shulman, J. (2003).
Identifying counselor competencies
for working with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients. Journal of Gay and
Lesbian
Psychotherapy, 7(4), 3-22.
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life: The history,issues, and human dramas of social justice. Journal of Counseling &
Development, 79, 387-397.
Lark, J. S. & Croteau, J. M. (1998). Lesbian, gay, and bisexual
students’ mentoring relationships
with faculty in counseling psychology. The Counseling Psychologist,
25(5), 754-776.
Liddle, B. J. & Stowe, A. M. (2002). A lesbian-straight team approach to
changing attitudes
toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people. Journal of
Lesbian Studies, 6, 99-108.
Mohr, J. J. (2002). Heterosexual identity and the heterosexual
therapist: An identity perspective
on sexual orientation dynamics in psychotherapy. The Counseling
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the U. S.
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What to Say When Your Student
May be Gay?
A Primer for School Counselors
Dr. Jamie Satcher & Dr. Mark Leggett
The University of Alabama
Abstract
Students who are gay face substantial barriers to adjustment in school,
including verbal and
physical harassment. The school counselor can be a primary person to
assist students who are
gay to come to terms with their sexual identity and to navigate the
journey to self-acceptance.
School counselors, however, often may feel unprepared to provide
assistance to these students
and may mistakenly create more barriers because of their discomfort.
This manuscript provides
an introduction for school counselors when approached by students who
are struggling with
issues related to gay identity development.
Note: Jamie Satcher, Ph.D., CRC, NCC, is a Professor of Counselor
Education at The
University of Alabama. Mark Leggett, Ph.D., NCC, is a temporary
Assistant Professor of
Counselor Education at The University of Alabama who also has a private
practice emphasizing
persons who are gay. Correspondence concerning this manuscript may be
sent to Dr. Jamie
Satcher, The University of Alabama, Box 870231, Tuscaloosa, AL
35487-0231.
Introduction
Perhaps few human characteristics are more controversial in the United
State than sexual
identity. Negative bias towards persons who are gay is prevalent in
American society. Persons
whose sexual identity is gay, a term which is inclusive of persons who
are gay, lesbian, bisexual,
or transgendered, are often victimized by the negative attitudes toward
them of the majority, heterosexual
population, particularly in a society in which anti-gay sentiment is
accepted (Vescio &
Biernat, 2003).
In the United States, persons who are gay are not provided basic civil
and legal rights,
such as the right to free expression, protection from employment and
housing discrimination,
and legal recognition of same-sex relationships (Wood & Bartkowski,
2004). According to
Avery (2002), 20% of adults would deny gays and lesbians the right to
free expression. The
Higher Education Research Institute (2002, as cited in Avery) studied
college freshmen and
found that 25% agreed that laws should prohibit homosexual
relationships. Brewer (2003)
reported that 54% of Americans in 1998 believed that a sexual
relationship between two adults
of the same sex is always wrong and 33% opposed laws protecting
homosexuals against job discrimination.
Brewer did indicate that these percentages were an improvement over
previous
years. For example, in 1992, 71% of Americans believed that same-sex
relationship were
always wrong and 40% opposed anti-discrimination employment laws
protecting persons who
are gay or lesbian (Brewer).
An extreme manifestation of negative bias toward persons who are gay is
gay bashing,
which is verbal harassment or physical violence directed toward persons
who are, or who are
perceived to be, gay (van Der Meer, 2003). Conley, Devine, Rabow, and
Evett (2002), who
studied gay adults, found that 38% feared that they would be verbally or
physically abused if
their sexual orientation became known to someone unfamiliar to them; 68%
reported having
been harassed by persons who have high prejudice against persons who are
gay. Hate crime statistics
compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (2003) indicated that
1,479 violent
crimes were committed in 2003 against persons based on actual or
perceived gay sexual identity.
Most (61.5%) of the crimes resulted from anti-gay male bias, and 21.2
percent resulted from
anti-homosexual bias (gay and lesbian). Anti-lesbian violence occurred
in 15.6 percent of the
crimes. While alarming, these statistics likely do not reflect actual
crimes against persons based
on sexual identity because the majority of these crimes are never
reported (Burroway, 2005).
The persistent negative bias toward persons who are gay is mirrored in
school systems
(Chesir-Teran, 2003; Hunter, 1990; Peters, 2003; Rivers & D’Augelli,
2001; van Wormer,
2003). Peters found that 94% of adolescents reported hearing anti-gay
statements at their
schools and, when they occurred, 86% reported that school staff did
little or nothing to intervene.
These findings mirrored those of a previous study which found that over
80% of adolescents
had witnessed anti-gay comments in their schools (Gay, Lesbian, and
Straight Education
Network, 2001).
Carragher and Rivers (2002), in a retrospective study, found that 76% of
gay men experienced
verbal abuse during middle school and high school, 28% experienced theft
or property
damage, 24% experienced physical violence, and 5% experienced sexual
assault. Many gay students
may cope with the hostility they face by becoming involved in alcohol
abuse, illicit drug
abuse, risky sexual behaviors, or all three (Sullivan, 2003). The
psychological distress resulting from in-school
victimization is damaging to self-esteem and healthy sexual identity
development and, in extreme cases, may lead these students to attempt or
complete suicide
(Chesir-Teran, 2003; Remafedi, 1999; Telljohann & Price, 1993).
Counseling persons who have are gay has a substantial history in the
counseling literature.
The literature is replete with examples of ways in which counselors,
including school
counselors, can learn more about sexual identity and the formation of a
positive gay identity
(see Dillion et al., 2004; Fontaine, 1998; Ford & Priest, 2004; Glenn &
Russell, 1986;
Marinoble, 1998; Perez, DeBord, & Bieschke, 2000; Rudolph, 1988; Stone,
2003).
Furthermore, evidence of school counseling’s commitment toward diversity
and respect for gay
identities can be found in the American School Counselor Association’s
position statement on
sexual orientation (ASCA, 2000) which states that professional school
counselors are committed
to equal opportunity and respect for persons regardless of sexual
orientation.
Much of the literature addressing counselors’ work with counselees who
are gay assumes
that counselors are not heterosexually biased and are comfortable
creating safe places for persons
who are gay. Many emphasize the role of school counselors in
facilitating environmental
and attitudinal changes to promote the mental health of students who are
gay while failing to
recognize that, often, school counselors may have little experience with
or training about working
with these students. The intent of this manuscript is to provide school
counselors with
information about how to better respond to gay students who turn to them
for help with sexual
identity issues.
Responding to Students
Scenario One
The following scenario takes place in a school counselor’s office:
Male Student (age 17): I think that I might be gay.
Counselor: What makes you think that?
Male Student: Well, most of my friends have girlfriends and I don’t.
Counselor: Well that doesn’t mean you are gay. You might just not be
ready to date.
Male Student: No, it is more than that. I don’t really want to date
girls. I am more interested in
boys. I know it sounds weird. I am just really confused, scared, and not
sure what to do.
Counselor: I understand that, but you need to know that if you choose
this lifestyle there are
going to be some difficult times ahead for you.
Male Student: What do you mean?
Counselor: Well, that lifestyle is really hard for most people to
accept. Have you shared this
with anyone else?
Male Student: No.
Counselor: I can’t help you. You probably need to speak with your
parents about this matter or
your minister.
(Other possible response of counselor)
Counselor: Being gay is not acceptable behavior. You need to stop
worrying about it and everything
will work itself out.
Or Counselor: This is probably just a phase that you are going through.
It will pass.
The above is a scenario in which a student discloses to the school
counselor his struggle
with sexuality only to be redirected to another individual or given a
value- or moral-based
response. This counselor ignored the frustration and fear the student
was experiencing and, instead, placed more focus on how others would react. The counselor
seemed unprepared or too
uncomfortable to deal with the situation and quickly referred the
student to his parents or minister.
Scenario Two
The following scenario provides a different response from the counselor
in trying to meet the
needs of the struggling student:
Male Student (age 17): I think that I might be gay.
Counselor: How long have you been feeling this way?
Male Student: I’m not sure, maybe a couple of years, maybe longer.
Counselor: It sounds like you have been struggling with these feelings
for quite some time. Is
being gay something that would be difficult or hard for you to deal
with?
Male Student: Gosh yes! It would be a nightmare! I am really confused
and upset because I
don’t want to be gay.
Counselor: The idea of being gay is very frightening to you. What kinds
of things about being
gay frighten you?
Male Student: That my parents would kill me or kick me out of the house.
My friends would
probably stop talking to me, especially the ones at my church. They all
talk so much about how
wrong and sinful it is. Plus, I see how other kids who are gay get
treated. I am really scared.
Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything to you.
Counselor: I can see how upset and scared you are, even about talking to
me, and am glad that
you came to see me. My office is a safe place for you to talk and the
things you share with me
will remain confidential.
Male Student: Thanks.
Counselor: I also want to say that I am proud of you for talking about
this with me. I think you
are very brave. Tell me more about why you think you may be gay.
Male Student: Many of my male friends have girlfriends and they are
always talking about girls
and sex. I feel like I can’t relate to them when that topic comes up.
Counselor: You feel left out and different from your friends. Have you
ever had a girlfriend?
Male Student: No, I am really not interested in girls. At least the way
they talk about them.
Counselor: Are you more interested in boys?
Male Student: Well, I guess, sort of. I just can’t imagine having a
boyfriend though. It just
seems wrong. What do you think?
Counselor: Well, some people believe that homosexuality is wrong and is
a choice. Others
believe that you are born that way and it is a part of who you are. What
is important to me is
what you believe.
Male Student: I don’t know what to believe?
Counselor: I am available and more than happy to help you sort out what
you believe. I can also
provide you with some resources that might help.
Male student: Thanks.
In this scenario, the counselor listened and displayed empathy without
giving a value-based
response and without immediately referring the student. The counselor
also praised the student
for coming forth to talk about his struggle and assured the student that
the counselor’s office
was a safe place.
Discussion
When working with students who are gay, school counselors must
understand that disclosing
this personal struggle with another individual is a major step. These
students have most
likely been internalizing frustrations and doubts about their sexual
identity for quite a period of time before reaching the point of acknowledging or disclosing it to
someone. Depending on the
age of the student, he or she may have been struggling with this issue
for many years. The role
of the counselor is to respond or facilitate the student’s growth in a
number of ways, including
(a) active listening, (b) displaying genuine support and caring, (c)
allowing the student to tell his
or her story, (d) asking appropriate probing questions, (e) helping the
student process feelings
about sexuality, (f) protecting the student, and (g) evaluating for
clinical symptoms. Other roles
include (a) exploring fears about coming out, (b) helping the student to
discover and connect
with positive resources, and (c) continuing to be supportive throughout
the process of self exploration.
At the very onset of the initial counseling session, the student needs
to be affirmed,
encouraged, and empowered for coming forth to address and share his or
her struggle with the
counselor. Sexual identity is a difficult and sensitive issue, and
dealing with being gay requires
courage and strength. In many situations, students who are struggling
with sexual identity are
turned away by friends, ministers, parents, or other helping
professionals. If they are not turned
away, then they are instead given clichéd responses such as “This is
simply a phase,” “Everyone
questions their sexuality at some time in their life,” or “You will be
fine.” Some may even be
told they are sinful or immoral.
When students find a counselor who doesn’t react with shock or make any
of the above
judging statements, a huge weight is lifted from their shoulders.
Providing a safe and nonjudgmental
environment for students struggling with sexual identity is crucial to
helping them
process their feelings, as well as ensuring that they will return to see
the counselor in the future.
Basic counseling skills such as listening, genuineness, caring, and
understanding are important
in letting these students know that they are being heard and will be
supported.
Allowing students to tell their story is the next step in counseling
with them. Students
should be encouraged to express their feelings and thoughts regarding
their sexual identity, such
as their attraction to members of the same sex and any experiences they
have had which have
led them to conclude that they are not heterosexual. Appropriate probing
questions which can
assist in gathering or processing this information include the
following: What events have led
you to believe that you may be gay? How long can you remember feeling
this way? With whom
have you shared these feelings? Have you told your parents and what was
their response? What
are some of your fears about being gay? Some students may need
assistance in verbalizing their
own ideas of sexual identity, relations with peers, and feelings about
emotional and sexual
attractions to others. These probing questions will assist the counselor
to explore some of the
fears or concerns these students may have.
Gay students also struggle with behaviors that could give them away or
out them as
being gay. This struggle is commonly based on fears of rejection by
their peers and, in some
cases, fears of torment or abuse from other students. Quite often, fears
of coming out to others
is a primary concern. The term coming out refers to informing friends,
family, and others of
their sexual identity. These students should not be pushed to come out
to anyone until they have
fully explored their own feelings and have reached a point where they
are comfortable sharing
with others where they are in their life in accepting their sexuality.
Coming out too early can
cause other unnecessary stressors in the student’s life.
In relation to fears of coming out, it is the counselor’s responsibility
to show zero tolerance
for any verbal or physical abuse from other students in the school,
regardless of the basis
for their torment. This stance will show the student that the counselor
will take all measures to
protect and provide a safe environment for all students regardless of
their sexual identity.
Bullying, name calling, putdowns, or any other forms of verbal or
physical abuse are not acceptable
in any school.
A number of clinical symptoms are associated with adolescents who are
struggling with
their sexual identity. Evaluation of the student should consider
symptoms of depression, anxiety,
suicidal ideations, and drug or alcohol use. If these symptoms are
present, they need to be
addressed immediately. In some cases, an appropriate referral may need
to be made.
It is the counselor’s responsibility to become familiar with positive
resources that are
available to gay youth. Numerous on-line resources specialize in
assisting students in their struggle
with sexual identity (see Table 1). Some of the topics addressed include
self-esteem, coming
out to friends and to parents, and dealing with nontolerant behaviors
and violence. Links and hotline
numbers for support systems are available not only for the gay or
lesbian student, but also
for parents and friends who are having a difficult time accepting and
dealing with this issue.
Encourage the student to explore these options, identifying the ones
that will serve as a best fit
for the student’s perspective, background, and needs. Some students may
be struggling with religious
values and ideas. Many positive resources address sexual identity from a
religious perspective.
Encourage the student to seek out as many of these supportive resources
as possible.
Finally, the counselor must protect the student from any form of
discrimination in the
school from other students, teachers, or administrators. Some states and
school systems have
specific laws and policies on handling discrimination based on sexual
orientation. Furthermore,
the American School Counselors Association’s position statement on
sexual orientation is clear
in its mandate to respect for and equal treatment of individuals
regardless of sexual orientation.
Ethical practice requires that this mandate be followed when serving
students who are not heterosexual.
Summary and Conclusion
Serving students who are gay can be daunting to school counselors.
Reluctance can
stem from multiple sources. Some school counselors may object to
homosexuality on religious
or moral grounds. Others may have conflicts related to their own sexual
identities. In these two
circumstances, ethical practice calls for seeking knowledge or personal
therapy. More often,
however, the reluctance of school counselors likely stems from feeling
unprepared to respond
affirmatively to students who seek them out about sexual identity
issues. A focus on basic facilitative
skills, coupled with knowledge about gay identity development and
available resources,
will assist the school counselor to be a more skilled practitioner when
serving these students.
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Counseling Issues with Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Youth:
The School Counselor as Advocate for Change
Nancy Wolfe
Huntsville, Alabama
Abstract
Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered (GLBT) adolescents present a
sexual minority in our
schools. GLBT students have few, if any, family and social supports.
Lack of outside support leaves the school to provide guidance and information to GLBT students,
their parents, and possibly
the community. Most importantly, school administrators, faculty, and
counselors must
know the unique developmental needs and challenges that GLBT students
face. Likewise, their
families’ concerns and needs should be addressed. The formation of GLBT
groups at school,
such as a Gay/Straight Alliance, can help to provide social support for
GLBT students while
also educating the other students in the school. This paper will explore
the development of a
sexual minority identity, the possible risks that GLBT students may
encounter, stages of acceptance
for the students’ families, and how school personnel can provide support
for GLBT students.
Correspondence regarding this article should be directed to: Nancy
Wolfe, 2712 Barcody Road,
Huntsville, Alabama 35801. Email:
neartrip@knology.net
Introduction
An increasing need for school faculty and administrators to address the
need for support
for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered (GLBT) students exists.
These students are more
at risk for truancy, dropping out, drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness,
sexual abuse, AIDS,
and suicide (Taylor, 2000). The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education
Network (GLSEN, as
cited in Lamont, 2004) released a report in 2004 that summarized state
laws that affect school
environments and school safety for all students, particularly GLBT
students. All states were
given letter grades based on points in six categories: (a) existence of
statewide safe schools
laws; (b) statewide nondiscrimination laws; (c) support for education on
sexual health and sexuality;
(d) local safe schools policies; (e) general education issues; and (f)
existence of laws that
stigmatize GLBT people. According to the 2004 GLSEN State of the States
Report, Alabama
not only failed, but had their state scores reduced for laws that
stigmatize GLBT people by
specifically prohibiting any positive portrayal of GLBT issues or people
in schools.
Similarly, according to another GLSEN poll (as cited in Snorton, 2004)
in 2004, 66% of
students report using homophobic language, 81% report hearing homophobic
language frequently
or often, 48% of students know a lesbian or gay classmate, 30% have a
close lesbian or gay
friend, 65% of students identify their personal experiences with gay
people as important influences
in their attitudes about gay people, 58% said their parents factored
into their attitudes, and
28% acknowledged the role of television with gay characters. Considering
these statistics, it is
expected that GLBT students are at greater risk for verbal and physical
harassment and violence,
low self-esteem, suicide, substance abuse, eating disorders,
homelessness, HIV/AIDS,
sexual abuse, pregnancy, declining school performance, truancy, and
dropping out (Birden,
2002; Munoz-Plaza et al. 2002; Taylor, 2000).
The purpose of this article is to discuss the following issues related
to counseling with
GLBT youth: (a) developmental issues; (b) high risk behaviors; (c)
issues with disclosing their
sexual status; and (d) the role of school personnel. Due to a lack of
resources for GLBT students,
it is important for the school to be a place where students and parents
can find accurate
information and resources as well as support.
GLBT Adolescent Development
During adolescence, a primary developmental task is to separate from the
family in order
to become a self-sufficient adult (Crespi & Sabatelli, 1993 as cited by
Johnson & Johnson,
2000). Most healthy adolescents have already successfully dealt with
issues of basic trust,
autonomy, initiative, and industry (Erikson, 1959 as cited by Johnson &
Johnson, 2000).
Adolescents deal with the physical changes of puberty, demands of peers,
and increased responsibility
and need to perform (Amanet & Beck, 1994 as cited by Johnson & Johnson,
2000). The
process of becoming autonomous extends over several years, during which
time teenagers may
use maladaptive coping mechanisms to deal with inner conflicts. In order
for teenagers to
progress developmentally, they must balance autonomy and
interdependence.
Johnson and Johnson (2000) state that for members of the dominant
culture, progression
through developmental stages happens almost without effort. Many ethnic,
religious, and racial
minority groups instill a sense of pride and give information on how to
deal with difficult situations;
however, for GLBT adolescents there is not a group identity to help them
progress.
“GLBT teens realize at an early age that their peers will not tolerate
differences” (Sanelli &
Perreault, 2001, p.70). GLBT teens know that the majority of Americans
are not accepting of
their sexual identity. Unlike other minority groups, GLBT youth do not
have support at home,
making them more dependent on resources at school and peers (Birden,
2002). Many GLBT
adolescents come of age in communities where few gay adult role models
are visible (Hughes-Hassell & Hinckley, 2001).
Stages of GLBT Identity Development
According to Harrison (2003), the stages of developing a homosexual
identity are Early
Awareness/Sensitization, Identity Confusion, Identity Assumption, and
Identity Consolidation.
The Early Awareness/Sensitization stage usually begins around age ten
with feelings of being
different due to beginning same-sex attractions. Identity confusion
usually begins in adolescence.
The GLBT teen may experience guilt, shame, and denial which can lead to
maladaptive
coping strategies that can then lead to high risk behaviors.
“Characteristics of this stage are
feeling a sense of isolation that includes: (a) feeling alone in social
situations; (b) feeling the
need to emotionally distance oneself from others; (c) feeling there is
no one to talk to; (d) fearing
that same-sex friendships may be misinterpreted; and (e) feeling
hopeless about the future”
(Martin & Hetrick, 1987; Ryan & Futterman, 1998 as cited in Taylor,
2000, p.222).
Maladaptive coping strategies may include trying to pass as straight,
rationalizing that same-sex
attractions are only a phase, avoiding situations that may confirm
sexual identity, denying same sex
attractions, trying to change sexual orientation through heterosexual
dating or sexual activities,
and using drugs and alcohol (Johnson & Johnson, 2000). The fourth stage,
Identity
Assumption, occurs when the person integrates their sexual identity and
begins limited disclosure.
The last stage, Identity Consolidation, is the point when the GLBT
person recognizes and
accepts their sexual identity as well as incorporates their identity
into various social aspects and
increases disclosure.
High Risk Behaviors
“Studies of gay adolescents tend to note high percentages of “acting
out”, represented
disproportionately among adolescents who drop out of school, runaway
from home, abuse alcohol
and drugs, engage in prostitution, and attempt suicide” (Johnson &
Johnson, 2000, p.625).
GLBT adolescents may also experience depression and verbal, sexual, and
other physical
abuse/violence. “The origin of substance abuse in sexual minority teens
may be linked with
feeling marginalized by society, seeking relief for feelings of
depression and isolation, or desiring
alleviation of the chronic stress associated with being stigmatized both
interpersonally and
intrapersonally” (Jordan, 2000, p.201). Substance abuse can lead to
other problems such as
problems at home and school, placing adolescents in dangerous
situations, legal troubles,
or interpersonal problems. Another factor that contributes to high risk
behaviors is the lack of
age-appropriate social outlets for GLBT students, so their culture is
often pushed underground
and is not adequately supervised. Jordan (2000) notes that these
underground activities can also
lead to more high risk behaviors such as drug and alcohol use,
promiscuity, and abuse.
Issues Related to Disclosure
Harrison (2003) discusses the fear adolescents may have about disclosing
to friends and
family. Disclosure is the process of the adolescent telling other people
about their lifestyle preferences.
Adolescents may avoid disclosure due to legal, economic, family
constraints, and lack
of social support. The fear of rejection and abuse can be another reason
that adolescents choose
not to disclose. The initial disclosure to the family is often received
negatively and may produce
long-term negative effects. Because many adolescents realize the
possibility of being
rejected by their families, they choose to keep their sexuality a secret
which can limit the possibility
of family social support and lead to more internal conflict. (D’Augelli
& Hershberger,
1998, as cited in Harrison, 2003).
Stages of Family Reactions to Disclosure
Harrison (2003) provides an outline of the Stages of Family Reactions to
Disclosure
based on Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’ Stages of Grief (1969, 1997). The first
stage listed is the
denial of homosexuality. During this stage, the parents may feel fear,
guilt, denial, and may
choose may choose to ignore the issue. Parents may pressure the teen to
keep their sexual identity
a secret. At this stage, the parents may think that the child is
experimenting. The second
stage is anger at oneself and others. At this time, the family blames
others or themselves for the
homosexuality. The family may threaten or abuse the adolescent. The
family may try to coerce
the adolescent to change their sexuality back to a heterosexual
identity. There is often hostility
towards the adolescent. The family may be angry at society for not
accepting them as a “normal”
family. The third stage is bargaining with God and the adolescent.
Bargaining may
include asking God to convert the adolescent, asking the adolescent to
continue to keep it a
secret or renounce their sexual identity, and asking the adolescent not
to tell other family members
in order to stay in the family. The fourth stage is depression in which
the family feels guilt
and shame. The family may not be able to see beyond their own needs. The
family mourns the
loss of their heterosexual family member as well as the possibility of
being a grandparent, aunt,
or uncle. The final stage is acceptance of adolescent’s homosexuality.
During this final stage,
the family learns to cope and integrate the child’s sexual identity into
the family identity.
The Role of School Personnel
School personnel, faculty, administrators, counselors, and nurses are in
positions to provide
support and resources to GLBT students. Unfortunately, according to a
study by Munoz-Plaza, Quinn, & Rounds (2002), “negative messages and a lack of
information in the school climate
about homosexuality contributed to the internal conflict many
participants experienced as
a result of their homosexual or bisexual feelings”(p. 62). A study
conducted by Parents,
Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) done in 2004,
indicated that: (a) 95% of
school counseling services had little or no gay, lesbian, or bisexual
resources; (b) 99% of school
counseling services had little or no transgender resources; (c) 70% of
schools had no training for
staff on how to stop GLBT bullying; (d) 92% of schools had no training
for students on how to
stop GLBT bullying; (e) 84% of school counseling offices had little or
no resources for parents
about GLBT issues; (f) 59% of schools did not include gay, lesbian, or
bisexual students in their
harassment/non-discrimination policies; and (g) 75% of schools did not
include gender identity/expression in their harassment/non-discrimination policies. Most program
changes that have
taken place in schools have happened in large urban areas concentrated
on the two coasts.
Schools can begin to aid the prevention of risk-taking behaviors by GLBT
teens two ways.
First, “increasing the visibility of sexual minority youth can alter the
sociopolitical climate of
the school, neighborhood, or community, and increase acceptance of these
youth” (Shifrin &
Solis, 1992, as cited by Jordan, 2000, p. 204). Second, handing out
substance abuse information
can also be a preventative measure.
Teachers
Taylor (2000) made several suggestions for how teachers can be proactive
in addressing
the needs of GLBT students. Teachers may educate themselves about
homophobia and GLBT
issues and history by reading books, journals, and periodicals.
Integrating information about
GLBT people who have made significant contributions to society into
their lessons can provide
some role models to GLBT youth as well as helping to make them more
accepted. Teachers
should also use language that is inclusive and show zero tolerance for
name-calling, harassment,
and the use of homonegative phrases. Bibliotherapy can also be a great
tool to use with GLBT
teens in order for them to see their concerns reflected in school
settings (Norton, 2004).
Principals
Sanelli and Perrault (2001) listed many ways that principals play an
important part in
instituting reforms at schools through their support or nonsupport of
programs. Primarily, the
principals can support the extension of teaching tolerance and respect
for culturally different
people to include sexual minorities. Gay parents should be welcomed into
the school and be
encouraged to participate in activities that support the school, such as
PTA. Principals can also
support policy changes at the state level to incorporate the topic of
sexual orientation into the
courses. The principal should be an advocate for all cultures in the
school so that “the entire
student body can accept the enormous and valuable diversity among them”
(Sanelli & Perrault,
2001, p73).
GLBT Clubs
Jordan (2000) states that a current trend is the presence of GLBT groups
or clubs in high
schools. The groups offer age-appropriate social activities that are
supervised by a faculty
member or administrator. These groups can also become discussion groups
for issues that affect
GLBT students. A study by Lee (2002) investigated the impact of
belonging to a high school
Gay/Straight Alliance. The results supported previous research in the
area and indicated that
membership in an alliance “positively impacts academic performance,
school/social/family relationships,
comfort level with sexual orientation, development of strategies to
handle assumptions
of heterosexuality, sense of physical safety, increased perceived
ability to contribute to
society, and an enhanced sense of belonging to a school community”
(p.13). Alliances are
equally important in providing education to straight students.
Suggestions for School Personnel
Harrison (2003) stated that in order to provide effective support,
school professionals
(i.e. school counselors, teachers, and administrators) must function as
an interdisciplinary team
for GLBT students. Professional should be careful about providing
accurate and sensitive information
to students and parents. The importance of this is to ensure that
inaccurate information
cannot further harm an already stressful situation for the student and
family. School professionals
need to remain non-judgmental and keep information that is shared
confidential. If the student
is in physical danger or is being continuously harassed, it will be
necessary to involve
administrators and other professionals to ensure the child’s safety at
school. As part of the team
effort, the role of the school counselor is to provide have a list of
community resources that help
adolescents and their families. Counselors may need to provide
information on sexual issues
such as STD’s, pregnancy prevention, and health screenings to students
and parents. School
counselors need to help with problem-solving skills to cope with stigma,
how they will relate as
a family, and how or when to disclose to others. Successful
interventions with GLBT teens who
have substance abuse problems begins with a thorough assessment by a
counselor which should
include questioning about factors unique to GLBT students such as: (a)
reaction of others to
their disclosure; (b) their same-sex relationship history; (c) their
support network; (d) difficulties
with their social life; (e) legal problems; and (f) school difficulties
(Faltz, 1992 as cited in
Jordan, 2000). “School counselors can work with teachers,
administrators, students, families,
and communities to ensure that gender identity expression is handled
with dignity, respect, and
intellectual clarity in the curriculum and through inclusive policies,
procedures, and forms at all
levels of the school community” (Chen-Hayes, 2001, p. 40).
There are many issues for professionals who work with GLBT students.
Professionals
must be aware of their own beliefs, values, and biases and how those can
influence their work GLBT adolescents. Van Wormer (2003) suggests that
any adults who work
with adolescents should consider their thoughts and feelings about the
following issues: (a)
working with GLBT people; (b) seeing GLBT people being affectionate with
one another; (c)
GLBT people and issues of morality; (d) teachers whoare openly GLBT; (e)
GLBT people as parents, adoptive parents, or
foster parents, working with 13 and 14-year-olds who self-identify as
GLBT or are questioning their
sexuality; and (f) working with bullies who persecute GLBT people.
Working with GLBT students presents many challenges to the school
counselor. A central
task for the school counselor should be to help the community to broaden
their ideas about
the ways in which the needs of this group need to be addressed. Issues
of harassment, ignorance,
and prejudice can be addressed with the help of the school. Parents and
students need a
safe place that they can go in order to receive accurate information and
help. School should be
a haven for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, or sexual identity.
References
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gender-variant persons
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disclosure. The
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finds gay students’
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