1. CHAPTER 6: Sexual Orientation and Heterosexism
Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence: A Systems Approach
Second Edition
Danica G. Hays and Bradley T. Erford

2. Defining Sexual Orientation
Klein’s (1990) seven variables of sexual orientation
Affectional orientation
Heterosexuality
Homosexuality
Bisexuality
Questioning

3. Gay Identity Development
Cass’ (1979) Homosexual Identity Formation (HIF) model set the groundwork for future gay identity development models, and is one of the most comprehensive models.
6 Stages: 1) Identity Confusion, 2) Identity Comparison, 3) Identity Tolerance, 4) Identity Acceptance, 5)Identity Pride, and 6) Identity Synthesis.
Coleman’s (1981/1982) model was influenced by earlier models
5 Stages: 1) Pre-Coming Out, 2) Coming Out, 3) Exploration, 4) First Relationships, and 5) Integration

4. Gay Identity Development Cont.
Troiden’s (1979) model of gay male identity development
4 Stages: 1) Sensitization, 2) Identify Confusion, 3) Identity Assumption, and 4) Commitment
Comparing Cass, Coleman, and Troiden’s models

5. Lesbian Identity Development
Application of gay identity development models to lesbians
McCarn & Fassinger (1996) proposed a developmental model drawn from other gender identity development models
Four phases of development: 1) Awareness, 2) Exploration, 3) Deepening/Commitment, and 4) Internalization or Synthesis

6. Bisexual Identity Development
Kinsey, Pomeroy, and Martin (1948) definition of sexual orientation
Weinberg, Williams, & Pryor (1994) proposed a 4 stage bisexual identity development model:
Stages: 1) initial confusion, 2) finding & applying a label, 3) settling into the identity, and 4) continued uncertainty

7. Defining Heterosexism
Heterosexism - the oppression of LGBTQI individuals
Internalized heterosexism – internalized devaluation of their sexual orientation
Homophobia - fear and hatred of LGBTQI people
Internalized homophobia - negative attitudes some LGBTQI people have about their own sexual orientation
Intersections of heterosexism and sexism

8. Defining Heterosexism Cont.
Heterosexual privilege - unearned advantages due to heterosexual orientation.
right to marry
access to medical information in the event of an emergency
legal & financial rights to property
adoptive & child rights
validation by the media & culture
being able to arrange to be in the company of other heterosexual people in most environments

9. Historical Resistance to Heterosexism
Stonewall Rebellion
Resistance led by working class, transgender people of color ignited the gay & lesbian rights movement
Important for counselors to know and teach LGBTQI clients about the historical events of liberation movements
Normalize for clients the fact that throughout history LGBTQI have been oppressed

10. Current Attitudes
Homosexuality was listed as a mental disorder by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) prior to 1973
LGB people are not protected from employment discrimination in most states & communities because sexual orientation is not included in the federal Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits job discrimination for other minority groups
2011 Pew Polls reveal that 58% of American believe homosexuality should be supported by society, and 46% are opposed to same-sex marriage

11. LGBTQI Relationship Status & Family Issues
Common stereotypes
Adoption and custody
Lesbian & gay parents are at least equal to heterosexual parents in terms of their mental health, parenting skills, & quality of family relationships
Research has consistently shown that children of gay & lesbian parents are no different than other children in terms of gender identity development, gender-role behavior, sexual orientation, psychological & cognitive development, social relationships, and familial relationships

12. Educational Status
Higher educational levels than their heterosexual counterparts, however:
55% of gay male couples and 75% of lesbian couples do not have college degrees.
LGB individuals are as likely to live in poverty as heterosexual individuals.
Same-sex couples are more likely to live in poverty, have less retirement income, and no federal marriage benefits such as social security and survivor benefits

13. Heterosexism & Classism
Many states have laws that prohibit unmarried couples from owning a home together
Many LGBTQI individuals live in metropolitan areas where there tends to be greater tolerance

14. LGB Youth
85% of middle and high school students reported experiencing verbal harassment, 40% reported physical harassment, and 19% reported physical assault
The gay adolescent often exists in social, emotional, & informational isolation
Advocacy efforts
Equal Access Act
Gay/Straight alliances
Title IX

15. Cultural Intersections of Sexual Orientation
Issue of multiple oppressed statuses and several identity development tasks simultaneously
Morales (1998) hypothesized an overall model to apply to minorities within the gay community.
Stages: 1) Denial of conflicts, 2) Labeling of self as bisexual rather than gay, 3) Conflicts in allegiances between gay & minority communities, 4) Establishing priorities in allegiance, and 5) Integrating various identities
Considerations by racial/ethnic group

16. Mental Health Consequences of Heterosexism
Historically, many mental health providers have attributed mental health problems to LGBTQI clients without considering environmental factors affecting mental well-being
LGBTQI individuals seek counseling more often than heterosexual counterparts
Not an indication of instability
Result of heterosexism and homonegativism
Stress and minority stress and its consequences

17. Physical Consequences of Heterosexism
Substance abuse
HIV/AIDS

18. Social Consequences of Heterosexism
Negative stereotypes
Socioeconomic Status
H.I.N.K. (High Income, No Kids)
LGBTQI individuals are seen as not needing economic, social, & health-related services
Homelessness for youth
Institutional heterosexism
Anti-gay marriage laws
Diminished interpersonal relationships

19. Counseling Strategies for Addressing Heterosexism
LGB Affirmative Counseling
The Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Issues in Counseling (ALGBTIC), a division of the American Counseling Association (ACA), developed competencies to promote sound & professional counseling practice
Counselors should:
engage in self-exploration
explore resources that deal with queer & feminist theories
emphasize non-traditional approaches to therapy
familiarize yourself with the constructs of discourse, positioning, & deconstruction

20. Counseling Strategies for Addressing Heterosexism Cont.
Counselors should:
be aware of their attitudes & beliefs about women & LGBTQI individuals
educate themselves & become culturally competent
be aware of how their race, gender, age, class status, ability level, & sexual orientation impact the counseling relationship
explore client & counselor meanings of gender identity & sexual orientation
critically examine the counseling process & theories used with LGBTQI individuals
examine the power behind the language they use with LGBTQI clients
expand the meaning of the word family
not assume that the client’s presenting problem is related to their gender or sexual orientation

21. Counseling Strategies for Addressing Heterosexism Cont.
Counselors should:
collaborate with clients to explore how heterosexism permeates the contextual environments of the clients & what this affects
integrate ethnic, gender, & sexual identities when working with clients of color
assess for experiences of discrimination, prejudice, harassment, & violence in relation to sexual orientation & gender
implement the ACA Advocacy Competencies
give back to the schools
speak with colleagues in different disciplines to gain knowledge about women & LGBTQIs.