Homophobia And Sexual Minorities

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(1) Describe one unique issue facing sexual minorities and explain the implications of this issue in counseling clients from this group.

One sexual minority group is made up of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) persons, who are faced with the issue of homophobia (fear of homosexuality) persons. Homophobia is the term typically used to describe hostility and prejudice toward homosexual individuals and their behavior (Herek, 1996a as cited in Pachankis & Goldfred, 2004). Homophobia refers to an extreme, negative reaction on the part of both heterosexual and homosexual persons to homosexual individuals and homosexual behavior In one study, self-reports of sexual orientation were used to classify homeless LGBT Homeless adolescents as members of sexual minorities. For instance, individuals rated their same-sex attraction and same-sex sexual behavior, which classified them as sexual minorities (Cochran, Stewart, Ginzler, & Cauce, 2002). Research shows that LGBT individuals are confronted with many challenges to the homophobia they experience.

LGBT clients face homophobia that expose them to high rates of sexual assault, violence and robbery. One study showed that Many LGBT [Q] (queer) people face discrimination, prejudice, and violence directed at them because of their sexual orientation. Because of the discrimination and violence that they often face, LGBTQ youth are more likely to experience a variety of negative outcomes than their heterosexual peers (sexualityandu.ca).

(2) Explain the implications of this issue in counseling clients from this group.

When working with LGBT ...