Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
Since LGBTQI+ people are not common in western culture, many people may have limited experience communicating with them. As a result, most people have limited knowledge about the differences between gender identity, sexual orientation, and gender expression. Sexual orientation is an enduring romantic, emotional, and sexual attraction to people (Safe Zone Project, 2018). Sexual orientation types are heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality, and asexuality. Gender identity is the concept of oneself as a male, female, a blend of both, or neither (Safe Zone Project, 2018). Human service professional practitioners (HSPPs) also need to understand the term gender expression, which is the external appearance of gender identity expressed through clothes, haircuts, voice, and behavior (Safe Zone Project, 2018). HSPPS needs to know the difference between these three terms in order to be able to provide professional care without making LGBTQI+ clients feel uncomfortable or emotionally hurt.
Cultural Influence on Gender
Gender is one of the organizing principles of society, similar to race or ethnicity. This is evident in the division of labor between men and women, which demonstrates one of the expectations of society concerning gender-associated roles. Culture is defined as a collection of beliefs and practices of society that unite people as a group (Schalkwyk, 2000). Every culture has expectations concerning gender roles, as they shape the way daily life is lived in the family and in the community. While the gender roles may differ from one culture to another, there is a general pattern that women have less autonomy and resources, while men are involved in the decision-making process and dominate women (Schalkwyk, 2000). They are two problems with cultural influence on gender. One of them is that some people may disagree with the assigned gender role. Another issue is that there may be no roles assigned to gender minorities, which may cause confusion and uneasiness. HSPPs need to be aware of how culture affects gender roles.
Challenges of the Transgender and Gender Non-Binary
Despite numerous advances in the transgender movement, transgender and gender non-binary people experience significant problems. First, this population faces significant health disparities, as they have decreased access to transition-related care (James et al., 2016). Additionally, this population has an increased risk of STDs and suicide (James et al., 2016). Transgender people are also reported to face an increased risk of poverty and physical violence, especially female African American transgender people (James et al., 2016). Moreover, these populations continue to experience different types of discrimination, which contributes to emotional, health-related, and financial problems (James et al., 2016).
Advocating for Gender Variant Clients
Overcoming Difficulties (n.d.). On the micro-level, I will use the pronouns preferred by the client instead of just sticking to neutral “they/them” or using the names only. I will also use the name preferred by the client instead of the one received at birth. I will also try to participate in different training programs that help to address the problems of LGBTQI+ clients. I will change the bathroom signs and display posters that demonstrate support for gender-variant clients. On the macro level, I will advocate for insurance companies to cover trans care, such as hormone replacement therapy, gender reassignment surgery, and routine care. The practices described above can help to address the challenges transgender people face.
References
James, S. E., Herman, J. L., Rankin, S., Keisling, M., Mottet, L., & Anafi, M. (2016). The Report of the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey. National Center for Transgender Equality.
National Association of Social Workers. (n.d.). Advocating for Transgender Clients. Web.
Safe Zone Project. (2018). Safe Zone training facilitator guide. Web.
Schalkwyk, J. (2000). Questions about culture, gender equality and development cooperation. OECD. Web.