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Archive for the ‘
Gay Pride Month ’ Category
Introduction
To honor LGBT Pride Month we asked Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) social workers to tell us why they chose social work as their profession and to describe the unique challenges facing their community.
Catherine Crisp, PhD
BSW Program Coordinator
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas
 Dr. Crisp Q. Where did you earn your social work degree? What is your area of expertise and where are you currently employed?
I have a BA in sociology from Rutgers University, an MSW from the University of Kansas, and a PhD in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin. My primary area of expertise is gay affirmative practice.
I developed the only validated scale to date that assesses the degree to which practitioners engage in gay affirmative practice behaviors and beliefs with clients (for more info about the scale, see http://ccrisp.googlepages.com/gayaffirmativepracticescale ).
I am currently the BSW Program Coordinator at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?
I chose social work because I was drawn to the value base of the profession, particularly the commitment to working with diverse and oppressed populations. This emphasis makes social work and the work we do unique from other related professions. In addition, I embraced the systems and biopsychosocial perspectives and love the way that social workers treat the whole person, in the context of their many environments and strengths and challenges, as opposed to simply treating a single issue as is often the case in some other professions.
Q. What are the greatest challenges in the LGBT community and how can social workers help?
The greatest challenge facing the GLBT community is the need for equal rights and equal protection under the law. Shortly after I returned to my home state of Arkansas after a 26 year absence, the voters of this state stripped my right to be a foster or adoptive parent solely on the basis of the fact that I chose to live openly and honestly with my same sex partner, someone the state has denied my right to legally marry.
While discrimination against gays and lesbians is now written into many state constitutions, it is also reinforced by the federal government with laws such as Don't Ask, Don't Tell (which prohibits gays and lesbians from serving openly in the US military and continues to be reinforced under the Obama administration) and the Defense of Marriage Act (which defines marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman for all federal laws).
Social workers must be educated about these laws, both in their own communities and at national and international levels, and given the education, resources, and encouragement to challenge these laws on both individual and institutional levels. Further, social workers must be educated in gay affirmative practice methods so they can engage in social work practice in ways that respect and affirm the lives of their gay, lesbian, bisexual, and/or transgendered clients.
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To find a social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: 2009 LGBT Pride Month, Catherine Crisp, LGBT social workers
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Introduction
To honor LGBT Pride Month we asked Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) social workers to tell us why they chose social work as their profession and to describe the unique challenges facing their community.
Everardo Alvizo, Jr., MSW
Program Analyst
Special Service for Groups (SSG)
Los Angeles, California
 Mr. Alvizo Q. Where did you earn your social work degree, what is your area of specialization, and where are you employed?
I obtained my Master in Social Welfare degree from UCLA's School of Public Affairs, Department of Social Welfare. My area of specialization is social work with organizations, communities and policy. I'm currently employed as a Program Analyst with Special Service for Groups (SSG). SSG is a nonprofit organization with more than 24 programs that provide social services and mental health services throughout Los Angeles County. As a Program Analyst, my responsibilities include grant writing, social service and mental health program design, contract management, and coordinating after-school tutoring programs.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your career?
I chose a career in social work in order to engage in positive social change. I was able to attend UCLA through the Blue and Gold Scholarship which required me to complete community service hours every year in order to "give-back" to the community where I came from. I completed my hours by providing college preparatory instruction to high school students from underserved communities throughout Los Angeles County. This was my first experience with "social work" and where I began understanding how I can affect positive change in the world.
After obtaining my B.A. from UCLA, I worked for a fair housing council in Los Angeles, providing assistance to individuals with various housing needs. As an Outreach Coordinator for this council, I saw how local housing policies can positively or negatively impact individuals and communities. Both of these experiences taught me that social service programs and local public policies have the potential to greatly improve lives. As a gay Latino man from immigrant working class Mexican parents, I feel that it is imperative for me to be politically knowledgeable and involved as well. Whether by developing effective social service programs or creating and advocating for public policy that will address community needs, I feel prepared to do so as a social worker.
Q. What are the greatest challenges facing the LGBT community and how can social workers help?
I believe the greatest challenge facing the LGBT community is the lack of a strong recognition by LGBT community leaders of the diverse experiences and backgrounds of LGBT individuals. As a Latino gay man, there are times when I feel that the predominant LGBT narrative does not include or is not welcoming of my Latino background. I believe this is why in California, Proposition 8, which defined marriage in the state constitution as only between a man and woman, had a lot of support from Latino and African American communities. The LGBT community needs to do a better job at being inclusive of all LGBT racial and cultural experiences. I believe social workers can help by informing themselves of how cultural backgrounds have an impact on the experiences of clients that are LGBT.
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To find a social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: Everardo Alvizo, Gay social workers, LGBT Pride Month
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Introduction
To honor LGBT Pride Month we asked Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) social workers to tell us why they chose social work as their profession and to describe the unique challenges facing their community.
Elizabeth (Lizz) Toledo, LCSW, LMSW, ICADC, CCS
Private Practitioner
Angels Recovery & Spirituality, Inc.
Forest Park, Georgia
 Ms. Toledo Q. Where did you earn your social work degree, what is your area of specialization, and where are you employed?
I graduated from the University of Georgia. My area of specialization is trauma. I have a private psychotherapy practice called Angels Recovery & Spirituality, Inc. In addition, I have worked as an HIV/AIDS counselor and activist, coordinated substance abuse programs for pregnant women, developed and coordinated domestic violence programs for batterers, developed and directed gang violence prevention programs and volunteered for sexual assault hotlines.
My career also includes experience developing and coordinating programs serving communities of color, the LGBT community and women. I also have extensive experience coordinating National, regional and local conferences and events.
Currently, I am the Vice President and Ethics Committee Chair of the Alcohol & Drug Certification Board of Georgia. I also serve on several boards and committees to end domestic violence in Georgia. I strongly believe that hope for recovery from addictions, violence or other destructive behaviors is possible for all persons.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your career?
I am an activist and I also like clinical work. With a social work degree I can do both.
Q. What are the greatest challenges facing the LGBT community and how can social workers help?
The greatest challenge facing the LGBT community is the issue of marriage. While we feel that love should be the primary purpose for marriage, in my practice I listen to horror stories from patients, whose possessions or children were taken away by well intended family members of their diseased partner. A marriage certificate will give LGBT’s equal protection under the law. They will have the right to receive entitlement benefits, make financial, medical and parenting decisions if their spouse should die.
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To find a social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: LGBT Pride Month, LGBT social workers, Lizz Toledo, NASW Georgia Chapter
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Introduction
To honor LGBT Pride Month we asked Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) social workers to tell us why they chose social work as their profession and to describe the unique challenges facing their community.
Kelly Exley-Smith, MSW, LCSW
Student Services Manager
Year Up – Boston
Boston, Massachusetts
 Ms. Exley-Smith Q. Ms. Exley-Smith, where did you earn your social work degree, what is your area of specialization, and where are you employed?
I earned my MSW from Simmons College in 2008. Prior to that I attended Boston University and earned a BS in Elementary Education in 2003 and a Master of Urban Affairs in 2005. I am currently working at Year Up, which is a one-year, intensive training program for urban young adults ages 18-24.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?
Prior to going back to school for my MSW, I had been working in various administrative jobs that left me feeling unfulfilled. I felt like I was just "pushing paper". What I really wanted was to have a job that I felt good about at the end of the day, a place where I could really feel that I was working towards a greater good. Social work was always a field that had been in the back of my mind, so I finally made the decision to go for it! Being in this field allows me to work for social justice in multiple ways with a diverse population.
Q. If you could resolve just one ongoing challenge affecting the LGBT community what would that be and how would you go about it?
Although the GLBT community faces many challenges, one that is a priority to me is continuing to work for marriage equality and the rights that come with it. As someone who is fortunate enough to live in a state where marriage is allowed, I have experienced the benefits of it firsthand. However I know that once my wife and I step outside of the marriage "safe zones" that exist, we may be faced with a multitude of problems. I can't bear to imagine my wife being ill and having someone tell me I can't see her because I'm not considered family. Working to enact full marriage equality throughout the country, with all of the rights it entails, will help protect all US citizens. Marriage may not be for everyone, straight or gay, but it should not be denied to those seeking to enter into it.
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To find a social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: Gay social workers, Kelly Exley-Smith, LGBT Pride Month
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Introduction
To honor LGBT Pride Month we asked Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) social workers to tell us why they chose social work as their profession and to describe the unique challenges facing their community.
Mark A. Norris, BASW
Department of Children and Family Services in Los Angeles County
Long Beach, California
 Mr. Norris Q. Mr. Norris, where did you earn your social work degree, what is your area of specialization, and where are you employed?
I earned my social work degree at California State University of Los Angeles. My area of specialization is child welfare, youth administration and gerontology. I am employed at Department of Children and Family Services in Los Angeles County. I also work part time at Long Beach City College as an Instructional Aide and I belong to the Human Dignity Program of Long Beach which has a components within it called Hate Crimes Response Team and Intergroup Cultural Mediation.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?
I chose social work because it was the perfect fit to meet my goals I set for myself many years ago. My initial area to study in was child psychology. I decided against that because I not only wanted to have that individualized, one-on-one type of relationship with clients, but also wanted to be effective as an advocate on a mezzo and macro level of service. Advocating for people who are less fortunate and uneducated about how to go about taking care of themselves, is a passion that I will always have.
Q. If you could resolve just one ongoing challenge affecting the LGBT community what would that be and how would you go about it?
I would love to resolve hate crimes against my community, especially against LGBTQ youth. One of the goals that I will achieve is starting shelters that specifically service homeless and troubled LGBTQ youth. These shelters will not only be a safe haven for these youth, but also offer tools to get jobs, schooling, life skills and also emotional, drug and alcohol counseling. There are so many of our youth that are out on the streets and have the option to go to a shelter, but because of encounters of gay bashing, verbal and sometimes physically, they opt to live on the streets and get into all forms of drugs and prostitution. I plan on diminishing those numbers. This is one of the major ways to also reduce the numbers of youth that are victims of hate crimes.
I also plan to try to establish an LGBTQ unit in the DCFS offices across Los Angeles County. I found it surprising that not one office has a gay and lesbian unit. In my opinion, that would be a great benefit for society as a whole. It just simply makes sense. Unfortunately, child abuse and neglect could qualify as hate crimes against gay and lesbian children by their own family members. My argument is that having a unit within an agency that is there to protect children, is vital because the needs of these kids have to be met to keep these kids safe as well. By just relying or “passing the buck” to the gay and lesbian centers to handle all of the cases is not reasonable because they get over-crowded and effective care and service to clients suffers. Also, we have gay and lesbian couples that are adopting kids and this particular type of unit could also handle those cases as well.
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To find a social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: Gay social workers, LGBT Pride Month, Mark Norris
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Introduction
To honor LGBT Pride Month we asked Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) social workers to tell us why they chose social work as their profession and to describe the unique challenges facing their community.
Bethprana Novi, MSW
2010 Secretary
National Association of Social Workers
Oregon Chapter
Portland, Oregon
 Ms. Novi Q. Where did you earn your social work degree, what is your area of specialization, and where are you employed?
I earned my Masters of Social Work Degree from Portland State University in Portland Oregon. I specialize in providing clinical services to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning youth, adults and families. I also provide clinical supervision for up to six counseling and social work interns per year.
I work at SMYRC, the Sexual and Gender Minority Youth Resource Center in Portland, Oregon. SMYRC provides a safe recreational space and resources for LGBTQ youth ages 12 to 24. Our Umbrella counseling center provides free and low cost counseling to LGBTQ individuals. We also have a community education program that provides trainings to local agencies, colleges, schools, etc. about how to be culturally competent when working with LGBTQ youth. I also have a part time private practice in Portland, Oregon.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?
I mainly chose social work because the degree offered a wide range of applications but no matter how I used the degree, I knew that social justice would be a large part of the work that I would be doing. I knew that I wanted to do clinical social work and felt that the ecological theory which is emphasized in social work is a much better model than other clinical programs that focus mostly on the individual mind.
Q. If you could resolve just one ongoing challenge affecting the LGBT community what would that be and how would you go about it?
I believe that the struggle for equal rights is the ongoing challenge that I would love to resolve. As long as we are selected out and kept from enjoying all of the rights and responsibilities that other Americans enjoy, we will not be truly integrated into our communities or our nation. The right to marry and to legally adopt are integral to being a citizen and so basic that it is amazing these are being withheld from any segment of the population.
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To find a social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: Amy Bethprana Novi, Bethprana Novi, Gay social workers, LGBT Pride Month
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Introduction
To honor LGBT Pride Month we asked Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) social workers to tell us why they chose social work as their profession and to describe the unique challenges facing their community.
J. Kent Usry, M.Div., MSSW, LCSW
Mental Health Therapist and Private Practitioner
Memphis, Tennessee
 Mr. Usry Q. Mr. Usry, where did you earn your social work degree, what is your area of specialization, and where are you employed?
I earned my MSSW in clinical social work at the University of Tennessee–Memphis campus. I specialize in grief and loss, addictions and trauma, depressive disorders, and anxiety disorder therapy. Currently I am employed in the non-profit sector at a community mental health center. I also maintain a part-time private practice.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?
Like many others’ experiences, I was receiving psychotherapy when I decided to work toward becoming a social worker. At the time, I was an ordained United Methodist minister and chaplain at a large hospital. I had completed my Masters in Divinity in Theological Studies and Pastoral Counseling only three years earlier. However, the LCSW I was seeing for mental health therapy helped me see my personality was such a better fit with social work as an advocate, mental health practitioner, and activist (though I now consider myself an “envelope pusher”–attempting to improve inclusivity and recognize broader issues).
Q. If you could resolve just one ongoing challenge affecting the LGBT community what would that be and how would you go about it?
First, I feel it is important to say I do not feel disenfranchised nor excluded as a gay male and my life partner feels the same way. However, if I were asked to, “Name the top three LGBT role models”, I would not have an answer. To me this is an extremely important challenge for the LGBT community. We have few and not well known positive role models and we have too many LGBT negative role models in the media.
In my opinion, the presence of positive role models, in general, helps to encourage others with the same personality traits to “come out”, to seek help, to be true to themselves, to make healthy life changes, etc. So the way I go about confronting this issue in the LGBT community is by being open about my own sexual orientation, letting my community and my co-workers know I am gay. Do I wear this on my sleeve, so to speak? No. But when others are speaking about their husbands or wives, for example, I certainly speak of my life partner.
To me, change begins with me. If I want to see something different or changed either in policy or every-day life issues, I know I must take the responsibility of being an agent of change.
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To find a social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: Gay social workers, J. Kent Usry, LGBT Pride Month
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Introduction
To honor LGBT Pride Month we asked Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) social workers to tell us why they chose social work as their profession and to describe the unique challenges facing their community.
Hilary L. Copp, PhD
Assistant Professor
Edinboro University of PA
Social Work Department
Edinboro, Pennsylvania
 Dr. Copp Q. Dr. Copp, where did you earn your social work degrees, what is your area of specialization, and where are you employed?
I earned both my MSW and my PhD at The University of Georgia. I am currently an assistant professor in the social work department at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. I also volunteer at the campus counseling center. My areas of specialization include clinical social work practice; virtual reality cue reactivity in drug and alcohol users; campus climate for LGBTQI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and intersex) students, staff, faculty, and administrators; strengths, challenges, and unmet needs of LGBTQI individuals in rural communities; and transgender issues.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?
I chose social work as my profession for several reasons. First, I knew that I wanted to work with people in a way that would help empower them to make meaningful changes in their lives. Second, social work’s holistic bio-psycho-social-spiritual perspective was appealing. I felt that it would equip me to evaluate the many complex and interrelated factors in my clients lives. Third, and perhaps most important, I wanted to be surrounded by colleagues who were passionate about social justice.
Q. If you could resolve just one ongoing challenge affecting the LGBT community what would that be and how would you go about it?
I feel that the LGBTQI community as a whole has been a victim of the classic oppressors’ technique of divide and conquer. Much as other marginalized groups both in the past and currently have been manipulated into turning against one another rather than uniting in solidarity to confront their mutual enemies, this community has been subtly (and not-so-subtly) encouraged to create internal divisions and hierarchies. Often this is done in the name of incremental change. For example, omitting transgender individuals from numerous employment and housing antidiscrimination bills because their inclusion would jeopardize passage of the legislation in question. In my opinion, throwing certain factions of the community under the bus so that others may advance is not an acceptable strategy, and the resulting divisions and resentment only divert our energies from fighting for true change.
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To find a social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: Gay social workers, Hilary L. Copp, LGBT Pride Month
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Introduction
To honor LGBT Pride Month we asked Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) social workers to tell us why they chose social work as their profession and to describe the unique challenges facing their community.
Joe Vanny Perez, MSW, LMSW
Center for Special Studies – Chelsea
New York-Presbyterian Hospital
New York, New York
 Mr. Perez Q. Mr. Perez, where did you earn your social work degree?
I received my MSW at New York University. As an undergrad, I majored in sociology and graduated from Hunter College of the City University of New York.
Q. What is your area of expertise and where are you employed?
I am a medical social worker for the Center for Special Studies/New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. Our clinic provides medical care to patients with HIV/AIDS.
Working with patients with HIV/AIDS has allowed me to focus on a population that has often times been neglected by our society. Social stigmas, homophobia, and lack of education/information have caused many people with HIV/AIDS to feel like outcasts.
As an HIV/AIDS medical social worker, I help patients navigate the complicated levels of public assistance requirements, teach them safer sex practices, self-care, promote medication adherence, and ultimately, regain control of their lives through self-reflection and advocacy. I have also had the honor of being able to share in our patients' achievements and challenges (losses).
About a year ago, I began an art therapy group with some of our HIV/AIDS patients to promote kinship and healing. What I discovered was that patients found a way to communicate using art as a medium to describe their anger, fear, confusion, isolation, and hope.
Through the art group, patients have formed bonds with their peers, have been able to express their experiences with HIV/AIDS through art, and have begun the journey of healing years of loneliness and isolation. To date, I have witnessed patients involved with the art group find a safe space that has allowed them to understand their personal journeys and document their experiences in a way that is not only colorful, but makes powerful statements in understanding HIV/AIDS.
Q Why did you choose social work as your profession?
After I graduated high school, I joined the United States Army in lieu of going to college. Even though I am a pacifist and do not believe in war, during my last year in high school I was experiencing confusion in terms of my sexuality and thought that joining the army would make me "straight."
I joined the army on a short contract of three years active duty and five years of inactive (reserve) duty. I figured that in three years nothing "could go wrong."
Needless to say, after I completed my initial training, I was sent to Iraq to support Operation Desert Storm in 1990-1991. It was there that I witnessed the cold brutality of war. I saw many mutilated dead bodies, lost homes and businesses, and hundreds of displaced civilians who were living in fear during the war.
It was then, that I realized my calling in life was to help people, not hurt them. After witnessing the ravages of war firsthand, I knew that I needed to find a profession that would allow me to help people overcome their personal challenges and misfortunes and not cause them additional harm.
 Mr. Perez Q. What are the greatest challenges facing the LGBT community today and how can social workers help?
Internalized homophobia has been perpetuated by our American culture on many levels and is a constant threat to our young LGBT people. We need to support our children as they become young adults and embrace their individuality.
Although I feel lucky to have lived in an open-minded city (NYC) which afforded me many positive resources that helped my growth as a gay man, I know that our American society still has many challenges that need prompt attention.
Many organized religions may impose feelings of guilt and shame to the LGBT community in their attempt to teach their understanding of higher spirituality. We need to understand that spirituality embraces all people without attention to their sexuality or preference.
HIV/AIDS is still a threat to our LGBT community. There is no cure at the present time. In my practice, we are still seeing many new young patients. A concerted effort on education/awareness of safer sex protocols needs to take place. We need to re-evaluate our current educational models and reinforce self-care, individuality, and love of self. Studies are showing that more and more people are being infected with HIV even though more people are aware of the virus.
Gay marriage has been an issue making headlines lately. LGBT people should be able to join in this social institution that is most beneficial for families. It will give LGBT people the sense of connection and community within their families that will promote cohesion and family unity.
LGBT people need to feel safe when meeting with social workers. Social workers need to understand that LGBT clients may have special needs that differ from the heterosexual community. As a social worker, we can provide a safe space for our clients and promote tolerance and understanding by taking time to understand where the client is coming from.
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To find a social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: Gay social workers, Joe Vanny Perez, LGBT Pride Month
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