Essay - Social Work Practice with Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual People Objective...

SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE WITH LESBIAN, GAY AND BISEXUAL PEOPLE

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The objective of this work is to research the topic of the social work practice with lesbian, gay and b*****exual individuals with specific focus on ***** special population in relation to the problem that ***** social worker faces in assisting these individuals. Two ***** agencies and the problems ***** they encounter on a daily basis in deal*****g with these individuals will be reviewed as well as the nati*****al ***** legislative actions relative to the problems.

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The work of Appleby and Anastas entitled: 'Not Just a Passing Phase: Social Work ***** Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual People" relates that a range of everyday problems for gay, lesbian ***** bisexual people exists including oppression, family acceptance, shame, identity development, HIV disease and addiction. (1999)

I. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS (NASW) STANDARDS

The National Association of Social ********** (NASW) "*****lieves that ***** same-gender sexual orientation should b af*****ded the same respect and rights as other-gender sexual orientation." (2007) Furthermore, NASW holds a commitment to working ***** elimin*****te prejudice ***** discrimination b*****ed on an individual's ***** orientati***** inside and outside the social workers profession. (*****, *****; paraphrased)

The NASW policy statement on LGB issues holds that "social work schools are expected to offer research opportunities for investigation of issues of relevance to this population. (*****, 2003 p.229) The NASW work entitled: "Lesbian, ***** and Bisexual and Transgender Persons" states as follows:

Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research (IASWR) recently convened a symposium, Enh*****ncing the Health and Well-Being of ********** Individuals, Families, and Communities: Building a Soci*****l Work ***** Agenda, to assess the state of the scientific knowledge and to identify an approach to furthering the evidence base for practice. This symposium *****ed leaders in the LGBT research arena ***** opportunity ***** share research tools and ideas, address research barriers, disseminate *****ir findings, ***** learn about federal funding *****." (*****, 2007)

Through research and study it is stated that: "...***** became clear that there ***** a growing body of evidence *****s well as high interest in conducting further research relating to LGBT people ***** sharing the research methodology expertise that has developed in accessing ***** ********** "hard to reach" or "hidden" population with researchers attempting to access other such marginalized populations who are relatively under-researched." (NASW, 2007) Acc*****ding ***** NAS, professionals:...conducting LGBT research face institutional and methodological *****. Identified were 'institutional barriers' and 'methodological barriers' stated as *****:

1) Institutional barriers include:

lack of *****;

***** challenges to peer-reviewed research material; and Difficulty in receiv*****g human subjects review approval. (NASW, 2007)

*****) Methodological barriers *****:

***** sample sizes;

Homogeneity of the sample population; and lack of attention ***** the ***** and transgender experience." (NASW, 2007)

***** participation in community *****d *****, practitioners as well as educators and researchers are able to: "...***** in the vital role of supporting this marginalized community by conducting community-based research in order to better meet the needs of ***** people and the communities in which they live.