Sexual
Orientation
Over 1,500 animal species
participate in homosexual behavior (http://www.news-medical.net/news/2006/10/23/20718.aspx),
yet humans seem to be the only species who seems to have an issue with sexual
practices that stray from the “norm” of heterosexuality. The idea of sex for
purely procreation reasons is an outdated one, yet it still seems to infiltrate
many social media outlets and even politicians debate the morality of same-sex
relationships.
The sexual continuum, as suggested
by Kinsey, Pomeroy, and Martin (1948) suggests that sexuality is even more
complex than many realize. The Heterosexual-Homosexual Rating Scale consists of
a range from 0 (exclusively heterosexual), to 6 (exclusively homosexual), with
a myriad of degrees of sexual preferences located along the scale. The scale
portrays just how intricate individual sexuality can be, and just like humans,
varies greatly.
Another, and a bit more complicated
way of measuring sexuality is the Klein Sexual Orientation Grid. While it does
share the varying degrees of sexuality like in the Kinsey Scale, the Klein
takes into account several different variables of interest. These include
sexual attraction, sexual behavior, sexual fantasies, emotional preference,
social preference, heterosexual/homosexual lifestyle, and self identification
(Klein, 1993). Additionally, the Grid takes into consideration the past,
present, and ideal sexual identity categories of the individual, thus
indicating that in some, sexuality is fluid.
Legal
and Ethical Considerations of Homosexual Clients
In theory, mental health workers
should treat every client like a human being, allowing full access to the
quality care they deserve. However, this has not always been the case, which
has led to legal implications for those who refuse to offer services to
homosexual clients. A student in the counseling program at Eastern Michigan
Universtiy was expelled from her program due to her refusal to counsel a gay
client in 2009 (http://abovethelaw.com/tag/julea-ward/).
However, a recently proposed bill in Tennessee (HB 1185) would prohibit
universities from taking disciplinary actions against students in counseling
programs who refuse to see LGBT clients, citing religious objections (http://openstates.org/tn/bills/108/HB1185/documents/TND00022457/).
So, it appears that counselors can in some cases legally refuse to offer
services to clients who identify as LGBT, but it still remains unethical, as
the refusal to treat can in some cases, inflict more harm (Hermann &
Herlihy, 2006).
Multicultural
Competency and Sexual Orientation
Multicultural competency addresses
all aspects of who a person is, which encompasses their heritage, racial
background, religious affiliation, and their sexuality. While there may be some
counselors who object to same-sex relationships based on their own beliefs,
there are steps that they can take to better prepare them to offer assistance
to a wider variety of clients. Such steps include class activities,
discussions, and continual learning in a safe environment (Charles, Thomas, &
Thornton, 2005). Neglecting to include sexual orientation in multicultural
training is a disgrace, especially within the marriage and family therapy
(MFT), as not all couples that seek counseling are heterosexual.
References
1,500 animal species practice homosexuality. (2006, October 23). Retrieved from
http://www.news-medical.net/news/2006/10/23/20718.aspx
Charlés, L. L., Thomas, D.,
& Thornton, M. L. (2005). Overcoming bias toward same-sex
couples: A case study from inside an MFT ethics classroom. Journal of
Marital and Family Therapy, 31(3), 239-249.
doi:10.1111/j.1752-0606.2005.tb01566.x
Hermann, M. A., &
Herlihy, B. R. (2006). Legal and ethical implications of refusing to
counsel homosexual clients. Journal of Counseling and Development, 84(4),
414-418.
Kinsey, A. C.,
Pomeroy, W. B., & Martin, C. E. (1948). Sexual
behavior in the human male. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co.
Klein, F. (1993). The bisexual
option. New York: Harrington Park Press.
Lat, D. (2012, February 6). Julea
Ward « Above the law: A legal web site – News, commentary, and opinions on law
firms, lawyers, law schools, law suits, judges and courts + career resources.
Retrieved from http://abovethelaw.com/tag/julea-ward
Open States (n.d.). Bill Text - HB
1185 - Tennessee 108th Regular Session (2013-2014). Retrieved from
http://openstates.org/tn/bills/108/HB1185/documents/TND00022457/
