Suchergebnisse

The social work profession has made a commitment to serve people who are marginalized and address issues at the direct practice level and the policy level. Beyond the Defense of Marriage Act, marriage inequality in the United States negatively impacts millions of individuals and families. A review of the history of same-sex marriage (SSM) and the current state of SSM suggests that actions at the state level continue to have far-reaching negative impacts. Issues of marriage equality and families headed by same-sex couples will require the advocacy and support of social work for decades to come.

Abstract
Moving human sexuality beyond a specialty focus and establishing a sexuality discourse within social work's foundation may be challenging. Group process and reflection, hallmarks of social work, may be a way to integrate this sometimes overlooked and often taboo conversation into social work coursework. Undergrad students from two Mid-western universities reflected on the usefulness of an established experiential sex education activity . Qualitative analysis of student narratives resulted in seven themes describing the usefulness of this activity including: (i) emotional intimacy; (ii) connection; (iii) power of personal stories; (iv) normalising; (v) healing; (vi) clinical profile and (vii) RE-storying. These themes demonstrate that this activity has clear benefits and enriches the overall learning of the topic of human sexuality. Further, these themes fit nicely within a social work pedagogy teaching clinical practice skills such as group process, rapport building and use of self. Implications for social work are discussed.

Three social work scholars explore their experiences of microaggressions in academia using queer theory as a lens to disrupt, deconstruct, and disorder the dominant heteronormative discourse. Qualitative analysis of autoethnography narratives resulted in seven themes describing experiences of microaggressions in social work education. Themes illuminated were as follows: (1) queer isolation, (2) throwing shade, (3) queer insult, (4) biphobia: not queer (straight) enough, (5) too queer, (6) queer backlash, and (7) revolving closet door. Concept mapping was used to explore each of these areas as they relate to the values of social work. Recommendations for social work education and research are presented.

Summary The repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) allows people who identify as gay, lesbian and bisexual (GLB) to serve openly in the U.S. Military. Military officials are taking great efforts to include GLB service members. This article reviews the historical accounts of the military's treatment of people who identify as GLB, emphasizing the importance of understanding this history for the social work profession. The article also reports on the review of content related to GLB service members and veterans in 13 journals of social work, identifying implications for social work. Findings Based on the applicability to topic and population, 'journal impact factor' was utilized to identify the 13 primary journals of social work from 1992–2013 for content related to GLB and military or veterans. Within the 13 journals only eight articles were published during this period relevant to this population. Applications Results suggest a strong need to provide more scholarly literature and research with military and veterans that identify as GLB. More information is needed to understand the needs and inform social work education and practice.