Department Position on Openness to Learning about
Gay Males, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgender People
The Social Work Department at St. Cloud State University
has always involved its students and faculty in efforts to
combat racism, sexism, and other forms of human oppression
as a vital part of its educational mission. Years of experience
with students in the classroom and in the admissions process
have taught Department faculty that our social work students
struggle most with understanding those issues of discrimination
related to sexual orientation and homophobia.
The professional mandate outlined by the National Association
of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics states that professional
social workers have a duty to address all forms of oppression
including discrimination based on sexual orientation. The
code states that social workers must not discriminate against
clients "on the basis of...sexual orientation" (Section
2.3) and that they "should act to prevent and eliminate
discrimination against any person or group on the basis of...sexual
orientation.." (Section 6.1). Also, The Council on Social
Work Education Standards for Baccalaureate Programs require
that students must be taught that social workers "demonstrate
respect for and acceptance of the unique characteristics of
diverse populations." (Part V 5.2.4) and "the curriculum
must provide content about people of color, women, and gay
and lesbian persons. Such content must emphasize the impact
of discrimination, economic deprivation, and oppression upon
these groups." (B6.6) We as Social Workers must dedicate
ourselves to social justice for gay males, lesbians, bisexuals
and transgender people as well as for all other oppressed
groups.
Because homophobia is so deeply embedded in our culture it
is likely that many social work students, as many other people
in society, will have preconceived negative stereotypes about
gay males and lesbians. In addition to learning about professional
ethics, students must learn how such attitudes and stereotypes
have led to violence and discrimination against gay males,
lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people. The Department's
intent is to introduce knowledge and values that will challenge
and help to combat these attitudes and stereotypes. Students'
openness to learning is essential because those who hold negative
attitudes and stereotypes about diverse populations can do
serious harm to clients in their future social work practice.
To prevent this, students must be open to examining their
prejudices including their homophobia.
We expect graduates of this Social Work Department to accept
the NASW Code of Ethics, which states explicitly that social
workers will not discriminate against people based on sexual
orientation and will act to prevent and eliminate discrimination
based on sexual orientation.
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