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THE OPPRESSION OF GAY MEN IN AMERICA

THE OPPRESSION OF GAY MEN IN AMERICA. HBSE I (FALL 2006) QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PROJECT LINDA HOWERTON. “I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists,

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THE OPPRESSION OF GAY MEN IN AMERICA

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  1. THE OPPRESSION OF GAY MEN IN AMERICA HBSE I (FALL 2006) QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PROJECT LINDA HOWERTON

  2. “I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America, I point the finger in their face and say ‘you helped this happen.’” Reverend Jerry Falwell, on the 700 Club, 9-13-01 “If we are to prevent the meaning of marriage from being changed forever, our nation must enact a constitutional amendment to protect marriage in America. Decisive and democratic action is needed, because attempts to redefine marriage in a single state or city could have serious consequences throughout the country.” President George Bush, Official Press Release, 2-24-04 Same sex couples live in 99.3% of all U.S. counties. (2000 U.S. Census) How do men who are gay cope with the moral, health, and legal ramifications of their life? The South has the largest percentage of same-sex couples who are parents with 23.9% of these being gay couples. (Pawelski et al, 2006) What can the social work profession do to improve their quality of life? Of same gender couples raising children, 41.1% have been together for five years or longer compared to just 19.9% of heterosexual unmarried couples. (Pawelski et al, 2006)

  3. Theoretical Perspectives • Feminist Theory- macro Focus on oppression, societal norms, gay rights • Biopsychosocial Approach- micro Focus on individual links between biological, psychological, and social functioning

  4. Literature Review & Interview • Legal Issues: • National Defense Authorization Act (1994) • Defense of Marriage Act (1996) • Gay marriage laws or constitutional amendments in 46 states including Tennessee • (Pawelski et al, 2006) • Interviewee: • “I could care less that my partner and I of seven years is married. The only thing I care about is that I am HIV positive and if I get sick I want him to be able to take care of me… But I don’t have that right…right now.” • Health Issues: • “…our results show the need for improved cultural competence among providers. Although much has changed in recent years, homophobic attitudes persist.” • (Helk, Sell, & Sheinfield, 2006, p 1116) • Interviewee: • Related the cold clinical manner in which he was told that he was HIV positive and that no counseling was offered. • Moral Issues: • Fundamentalist Christian religious right labeled aids “the gay plague”. • (Campbell & Ruell, 2006) • Interviewee: • “The majority of people in this country believe that HIV and AIDS is a gay man’s disease and not the disease that the Black community has or the Hispanics. Working as a volunteer, I’ve seen it in people, in black people, in people of all shapes and sizes, and straight people who have kids who are HIV positive; and so, it’s not just in gay men.”

  5. Theories and Interview Feminist Theory- liberal feminist view 1. The interviewee educates himself and others about HIV/AIDS 2. He is an advocate for change to laws that deny him equal rights that are enjoyed by opposite sex couples 3. Volunteers at Chattanooga Cares 4. Votes and encourages others to register and make their voice heard Biopsychosocial Approach- conflict of traditional societal norms Interviewee confirmed that defying societal norms has led to: 1. Initial rejection by family 2. Being a target of homophobic hate groups 3. Concealing identity to avoid discrimination

  6. Conclusion and Recommendations How do men who are gay cope with the moral, health, and legal ramifications of their life? • The interviewee has developed a healthy attitude and lifestyle and has remained asymptomatic for eighteen years • 2. The interviewee has maintained a seven year relationship which supports the research statistics • According to the research, most gay men in America, feel that their rights to the same legal privileges enjoyed by opposite sex couples are being violated. This sentiment was echoed by the interviewee, “Oh, I absolutely feel that they are violating my rights.” What can the social work profession do to improve their quality of life? • Social workers must join other professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association, the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, and the American Medical Association to advocate for partner rights to make health care decisions and to recognize them as legal guardians of the children from this union. • Social workers must know their own biases and be willing to put them aside in order to respect the dignity and worth of the individual. • 3. Social workers must support new research to ensure that the profession is educated and competent to deal with the unique issues that this population faces in America.

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