Cultural Competence with Gay and Lesbian Essay Example for Free

Cultural Competence with Gay and Lesbian Essay Being gay or lesbian has several implications notable of which are the manifestations of discrimination. Such effect is aggravated by a condition wherein the homosexuals are part of a diversified culture. This paper aims to make a presentation on â€Å"Cultural Competence with Gays and Lesbians† as discussed in the textbook written by Doman Lum. In doing so, it is the ultimate objective of this paper to make the public realize the important functions of social work professionals particularly their cultural capabilities in handling issues such as discrimination concerning homosexuals. Cultural Competence with Gay and Lesbian Introduction There is a joke about four people who are about to be fired because their company is facing profit loss. The manager failed to fire the initial three employees composed of black man, Mexican and woman. This is because the three threaten to sue the company for discriminating people based from their race, ethnic or culture and gender. The manager then was bent in firing the fourth employee noting there will be no problem at all because he is a male white American. Hence, to avoid dismissal, the fourth employee simply says â€Å"Well, I guess I could be gay† (â€Å"Gay joke – positive discrimination,† 2007). The said joke and its implication manifest that the concept of homosexuality has long been of undeniable significance to humans’ existence and the reality of being in different cultures where they belong. Hence, it is of equal relevance that being homosexual and the idea of cultural competence with gay and lesbian are effectively presented. This is because of the notable relationship which exists between homosexuality and racial or cultural color. Most importantly, it is also empirical to talk about that being gays and lesbians in a diversified culture results into the very damaging practice of discrimination. It is, therefore, of ultimate concern and objective that the value of having understandable presentation about being homosexual in varied culture is realized. This is possibly achieved if people with expertise will discuss the subject matter. This is due to the need for clear presentation of all the details which paves the way for being culturally capable with homosexual persons and eventually resolving the issue of discrimination. Of Gays and Lesbians In today’s modern society, the commonality of being and lesbian has sets ground. In fact, social recognition and work practice have advanced due to the fact that significant number of gays and lesbians from various cultures already came forward. Gone are the days that homosexuality is perceived as a social ill which requires change. Thus, concerned field professionals realize nowadays the existing personal and cultural identities of homosexuals by exerting earnest efforts at upholding their distinct nature of being gays and lesbians. This condition was what Walters, Longres, Han and Icard (2006) stated when they discussed the concept of â€Å"cultural competence with gay and lesbian persons of color† (Walters, Longres, Han Icard, 2006). In presenting further the issue, Walters and company explained that while homosexuality is now openly talked about, it is significantly worthy to consider and focus on the conditions affecting gays and lesbians of color or what they called GALOCs. This is because through a clear and mind-opening discussion about the negative or harmful situations that homosexuals of diversified cultures are experiencing, the society is aimed at realizing the important contributions and roles of social work professionals. In doing so, addressing, if not resolving concerns and the various forms of discrimination against GALOCs are easily achieved (Walters, Longres, Han Icard, 2006). Cultural Competence with Gays and Lesbians It is necessary for social workers or professionals to exemplify cultural competence in dealing with homosexuals of various ethnic roots. This is in order to identify the nature and eventually come up with possible solutions to the experiences of discrimination against gays and lesbians. Prejudice due to being homosexual is itself not in accordance with human nature thus aggravating the situation by subjecting gays and lesbians to unfairness due to their respective or varying cultures causes more alarm (Walters, Longres, Han Icard, 2006). Walters and company emphasized the principle of cultural ability and proficiency of social workers or professionals in handling issues concerning gays and lesbians. They stated that the effective development of a well and cultural characteristics among GALOCs calls for the social professionals’ competence to talk and resolve issues such as discrimination against gays and lesbians of different race. This is where the clear link between racial personality and sexual distinctiveness of gays and lesbians definitely matters. This is because once recognized, social professionals are able to respond and resolve the condition of bias inflicted among homosexuals of various colors (Walters, Longres, Han Icard, 2006). This is particularly realized based from the manifestations of discrimination made to several homosexuals from racial groups composed of â€Å"First Nations Peoples, African Americans, Asian Americans and Latino/s Americans† (Walters, Longres, Han Icard, 2006). In doing so, Walters and company learned that there is indeed a need for cultural competence among social professionals in order to underline the harmful effects of social injustices which the gays and lesbians inevitably suffer (Walters, Longres, Han Icard, 2006). Supporting the above-mentioned principles, it can be said that cultural capability, particularly as regard the social professionals’ service and practice towards GALOCs, requires the critical assessment of numerous social and private characteristics. It also needs the recognition of inconsistent duties as well as several factors that relate with discrimination of gays and lesbians coming from different cultures. Social fairness orientation, as far as social work service and practice towards homosexuals is concern, makes us wary that oppression and discrimination should cease to exist. If it is otherwise tolerated to happen in the areas of culture and gender or sexual preference, then nobody, not even the gays and lesbians are really free (Walters, Longres, Han Icard, 2006). Conclusion Cultural competence with gays and lesbians is attributed to the abilities of social professionals. This means that culturally-capable social work service and its professionals need liberating pedagogy which respects the value of the fight for cultural and gender impartiality for homosexuals. And this ultimately includes the fight against discrimination. References In my mind’s eye. (2007, December 19). Gay joke – positive discrimination. Message posted to http://pure-eyecontact. blogspot. com/2007/12/gay-joke-positive-discrimination. html Walters, K. L. , Longres, J. F. , Han, C. Icard, L. D. (2006). Cultural Competence with Gay and Lesbian Persons of Color. In Doman Lum (Ed. ), Culturally Competent Practice: A Framework for Understanding Diverse Groups and Justice Issues (389-423). Kentucky: Thomson Brooks/Cole.