Sexual Identity

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses certain general themes that can be identified as common concerns for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. The paper particularly discusses issues that may be faced by this population group in a counseling setting and how counselors should be educated in ways to assist with identity development, which is a common concern faced by this group.

From the Paper:

"Researchers further report that ones consciousness of trans-phobia has been raised since learning of the intensity and frequency of harassment directed against differently gendered individuals. Although the sexual orientation of many gay, lesbian, bisexual people may not be immediately apparent to others, many transgender persons do not or cannot "pass" (conceal the fact that they are differently gendered) and, therefore, are the most frequently targeted group for social persecution. They further reported that "We do not think any of us in the majority who fit into the normative gender categories of male and female can imagine the paradoxical situation of being very obvious and yet invisible at the same time. Perhaps, most of all, our experiences with the transgender have taught us", as Laird (1999) suggested, to realize our serious professional obligation to take the stories of our transgender clients into the professional literature and into the streets to enable a more humane and just world for all gender identities. (Carroll, Gilroy & Ryan, 2002)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Akos, P. (2005). Book Review of Handbook of Group Counseling and Psychotherapy. Journal of Counseling and Development, 83(4), 509
• Brown, L. S. (1991). Commentary on the special issue of The Counseling Psychologist: Counseling with lesbians and gay men. The Counseling Psychologist, 19, 235-238.
• Buhrke, R. A., & Douce, L. A. (1991). Training issues for counseling psychologists in working with lesbian women and gay men. The Counseling Psychologist, 19, 216-234.
• Carroll, L., & Gilroy, P. J. (2002). Transgender Issues in Counselor Preparation. Counselor Education and Supervision, 41(3), 233+.
• Carroll, L., Gilroy, P. J., & Ryan, J. (2002). Counseling Transgender, Transsexual, and Gender-Variant Clients. Journal of Counseling and Development, 80(2), 131+.

More papers on Sexual Identity:

• Comparison Essay # 23825 : "Sexual Identity and Socialization"
• Term Paper # 140385 : "Sexual Orientation and Sexual Identity"
• Narrative Essay # 115569 : "Personal Response on Sexual Identity"
• Analytical Essay # 147994 : "Lesbianism and Sexual Identity"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: