The Importance Of Indigenous LGBTQI

Travers et al. (2010) conducted a qualitative study of service providers in Canada and found that even in a country that has been proactive with regard to LGBT rights there still remains significant barriers to service provision for LGBT homeless youth. Providers cited concerns about resources being clustered in one area that is not accessible to the majority of LGBTQ youth, as well as the types of services being provided focusing specifically on HIV prevention and decreasing the focus on other important issues. The providers indicated this singular focus often discourages LGBTQ youth from utilizing services. Additionally, concerns were raised about the lack of evidence based information on transgender youth, as well as a lack of training on LGBTQ youth issues. Providers denounced the use of specialists in LGBTQ issues, but instead insisted that all providers should be trained to provide services to LGBTQ youth. A common theme in the focus groups was recognizing a mutual responsibility. The providers expressed frustration that there appears to be a general denial within the community that LGBT youth present, and this seems to be significant when considering service provision that comes from religious organizations. The study indicates that across the board, agency attitudes have not caught up to social attitudes or rights. Additionally, they highlighted that the current focus of mitigating risks does not account for promoting appropriate well rounded services in light of systematic issues. According to a study by Durso and Gates (2012), the most significant barrier to service provision is funding, followed by population identification, lack of training, and lack of support. A qualitative study of professionals serving homeless youth; including youth that identify as LGBTQ voiced several concerning issues in serving LGBTQ youth. Discrimination

According to beyondblue, LGBTI people are at least two to three times more likely to experience depression and anxiety than the wider community. They are also at a greater risk of suicide and self-harm. beyondblue provides online information and support forums to help this group.[3] Reading some of the forums in the your focus group can be very insightful and inspiring, they are a good resource for individuals suffering through depression and anxiety disorders.

Religion and acceptance have a large impact on people in the LGBTQ communities. All anyone has ever wanted was to be accepted for who they are by their friends and family. When this doesn’t happen it can cause stress and thoughts of suicide. If the stress of not being accepted continues there is a possibility that there may be a loss not only with their LGBTQ identity but their spiritual identity as well. Loss of Religious or Spiritual Identities Amoung [sic] the LGBT Population by Andrew William Wood and Abigail Holland Conley ;and The Role of Religion and Stress in Sexual Identity and Mental Health Amoung [sic] Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth by Mathew L. J. Page, Kristin M. Lindahl, and Neena M. Malik are two articles out of the many that

Research has highlighted the significant extent to which socioeconomic status affects the wellbeing of the Indigenous LGBTQI+ community emotionally and psychologically (See Appendix one). As highlighted by a 2015 study, A Closer Look at Private Lives 2, those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged in addition to identifying on the LGBTQI+ spectrum, are at a substantial risk of developing mental health problems. This is especially noteworthy as, according to the Australian Parliament, Indigenous Australians are at a much higher socioeconomic disadvantage than their non-Indigenous counterparts (See figure two). Therefore, evidence suggests that socioeconomic disadvantage amongst Indigenous people within the LGBTQI+ community is a significant factor in the development of mental illness and psychological distress.

For my SOWK 488 Field placement I have been assigned to complete my BSW internship at Colorado State University’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, Queer/Questioning Two-Spirited, and Ally Resource Center (GLBTQ2ARC or Resource Center). I selected this particular agency for my internship so that I could learn how to apply my social work skills to working with clients who identify as GLBTQA. This paper will discuss the following topics in relation to my work at CSU’s GLBTQ2A Resource Center:

Several reports also examine health outcomes of sexual minority men, such as gay, bisexual, and transgender men. Similar to Indigenous and visible minority men, sexual minority men encounter bias and prejudice that can inhibit them from accessing or receiving appropriate health care (Gray-Akpa, 2015). Social and economic factors can have a significant impact on young sexual minority men as they can face homelessness due to family disownment, violence, and discrimination, which can have physical and mental health implications (Gray-Akpa, 2015).

Most people experience some form of anxiety or depression throughout their lives, no matter their sexual orientations. However, it is likely that those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB), or anywhere else on the spectrum of homosexuality are at a higher risk to experience problems with their mental health than people who identify as heterosexual. People within the LGB community often face discrimination because they do not identify as heterosexual, or they aren’t attracted to the opposite sex. People within the LGB community are likelier to develop problems with their mental health due to discrimination, victimization, or general alienation.

Research into the mental health of LGBT adolescents has revealed that they are at greater risk for emotional and mental distress. LGBT adolescents encounter circumstances directly related to their sexual orientation that places them at a greater risk for emotional discourse. This stress which is specific to lesbian and gay individuals is often referred to as “gay-related stress”. Gay-related stress can be both external, internal, as well as discomfort with their sexuality. (McLaughlin, K. et, al., 2011) Externalized gay related stress involves the experience of violence, verbal abuse, rejection and other stressful events committed by others toward someone who is or who is perceived to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender. Internalized gay

The LGTBQ+ community are faced with homophobia, discrimination, and increased victimization; social movements have led to the adaptation of Canadian legislation and the creation of specialized police units in order to recognize and accommodate the unique needs of the queer community.

The six sources I examined on this topic enhanced each other on several aspects. The first way they collaborated with each other was the causes and effect of being discriminated in the LGBT community, and the effects it has on their mental and physical health. Paul Berrin and Meagan Sutter (2015) complied an article “Discrimination, Mental Health, and Suicidal Ideation among LGBT People of Color”. This study illuminates the effects of discrimination mentally and physically on individuals who are homosexuals and of different ethnicities. The results correlated to the concept that discrimination on the LGBT community “has consistently [been] a major stressor with adverse psychological effects” (Berrin & Sutter, p.1). This is a shame because Berrin and Sutter (2015) point that the majority of the LGBT community that comes out experience

The targeting of the LGBTQ+ community has often led to the dehumanization of the community. “[...] assault our democratic sensibilities and the foundations of fairness and equality that theoretically.” (Montgomery). This dehumanization and oppression of the LGBTQ+ community strikes fear into the hearts of those who aren’t sure of who they are. It makes it frightening to try to come out into the world as gay, bisexual or anything other than straight because of the stigma surrounding the community. Seeing

Bostwick, W. B., Boyd, C. J., Hughes, T. L., West, B. T., & McCabe, S. E. (2014). Discrimination and Mental Health Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults in the United States. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, p. 35-45.

Prejudices and discriminations are based on sexual orientation tend to increase the likelihood of depression, stress, and a decrease in mental health state. Within the paper, it discusses how the discrimination that many people within the LGBT community experience affects the likelihood of the person developing issues with their mental health; such as, depression or anxiety. The paper discussed the constant fear of discrimination could have been the cause of the mental disorders. I evaluated that with archival research, the stressors associated with the difficulties of being LGBT, were likely causes of depression and anxiety

Research Question. The main research question proposed in this study is; Does family acceptance and support have a positive impact on LGBT health, and can it protect against suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and other negative health outcomes? The hypothesis asserts that family support and acceptance can enhance positive health outcomes in LGBT adolescents and young adult and it can protect against negative health outcomes of LGBT adolescents and young adults.

Contemporary researchers and theorists often view adolescence as the life stage where individuals become more future-oriented and attempt to consolidate their personality, creating a more integrated sense of self (Swann & Spivey, 2004). For adolescents who are of a sexual minority, these developmental tasks often coincide with, or are dominated by, a crisis of self-concept where these adolescents find themselves suddenly and involuntarily associated with a stigmatized group (Hutchinson, 2012). While recent literature has taken steps to study the effect of being a sexual minority adolescent, often these attempts have been limited in their scope and scale. Too often, research has compared predominately White lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) adolescents to their heterosexual peers, ignoring the complex diversity within the sexual minority population (Savin-Williams, 2001; Poteat, Aragon, Espelage, & Koenig, 2009). This lack of within population research ignores important distinctions, masking which sexual minority populations are especially at risk. This paper will attempt to examine the unique experiences and challenges faced by LGB Native American adolescents, as well as the associated implications for the social work profession.