The Weaponization of Religion Against LGBTQ Youth and Emerging Adults
1. Identify TWO marginalized/oppressed populations (Black LGBTQ youth and White LGBTQ youth). Indicate the reason behind your interest in the populations, and its direct connection to social work practice. (You must provide some data specific points on the trends associated with both populations.)
2. Identify, discuss & compare the special needs the populations may face, which either constitute their primary problems or contribute to their development. Discuss, in general, how and why these special needs tend to develop for the oppressed/marginalized populations or why they persist. (Consider any biological, psychological, spiritual, fiscal or environmental influences on these needs.)
3. Reflect (identify, compare and discuss) on Adlerian theory and Intersectionality theory and indicate which theories seem best suited to deal/assist with the special needs of the marginalized groups. (BRIEFLY discuss the main points of the theory selected, but spend more time discussing the connection made between your populations and the theories’ framework). This is the meat of the paper. This is where you really need to go in.
4. Identify and discuss your basic assumptions, especially as they apply to the diversity in culture, ethnicity, race, gender, class, religion, sexual orientation, disability, etc. about the populations.
5. Discuss how theories challenge the basic assumptions outlined by your groups when discussing the oppressed populations. (Consider any shortcomings or inconsistencies that theory/theories have when outlining how to best provide support for your populations.) (Challenge the theory!!!! Are there any ethical, cultural challenges that should be considered?)
6. Identify and discuss the strengths that members of these populations may possess or may have developed as a result of the characteristics outlined above. (Consider biological, psychological, and environmental sources of strength.)
7. Based on your selected theory, discuss some interventions/strategies that would be best suited to work with your specific population.
8. There must be a minimum of 15 references, nothing earlier than 2000.
The Weaponization of Religion against LGBTQ Youth and Emerging Adults
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The Weaponization of Religion against LGBTQ Youth and Emerging Adults
Marginalization begins by ignoring, rejecting, harassing, or victimizing a particular group. This has occurred to black people, women, children, and the homeless. Today, it is happening to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people. The reason behind the interest in black LGBTQ youth and white LGBTQ youth is the high level of discrimination and harassment against this group. LGBTQ is undoubtedly the most hated group in the world regardless of the factors that determine entry into the group. Some anti-gay, for instance, linked the practice to influence from peers and family whereas LGBTQ supporters have claimed that homosexuality has biological roots. These arguments are connected to social work practice as they inform a social worker to look deeply into the LGBTQ issue and advocate for the rights of these individuals to prevent discrimination. This action will play a significant role in helping these highly discriminated individuals to obtain essential services and feel comfortable in society. Currently, no LGBTQ member feels safe in society due to discrimination and oppression.
Whether white or Black, the LGBTQ community is highly vulnerable to discrimination and oppression. These people face discrimination every day by straight people. Statistics show that LGBT members are twice more likely to be physically and verbally assaulted than heterosexual individuals (Kau & Kau, 2019). Any form of abuse against LGBTQ member negatively impacts their physical, social, and psychological health. Despite progress in the legal landscape and the evolution of social opinions related to LGBTQ, reports indicate that the LGBTQ community still experiences blatant gender bias in nearly all public and private sectors, including employment, housing, education, religion, and homes where individuals live (Casey, et al., 2019). Studies show that over 41% of gay and lesbian adults suffer some form of harassment and hostility in their workplaces that culminates in their dismissal or being forced to quit due to their gender orientation. In over half of the United States, LGBTQ people are highly likely to be denied employment opportunities. If allowed, they may receive lower pay than straight people. A good example of this is YouTube. In 2018, the channel targeted LGBTQ members by demonizing their videos and adding an anti-LGBTQ campaign for viewers.
Additionally, discrimination is common in the homes of people who conform to this group. Coleman (2019) found that about 40% of LBTQ people live somewhere they are not accepted. In 2016, Rae’Lynn Thomas, a 28-year-old transgender woman from Ohio was shot dead by her mother’s ex-boyfriend because of her sexual orientation. Discrimination and harassment against this group are also rampant in schools. A study by Sabriet et al.(2014) indicated that 85% of LGBTQ students have experienced verbal harassment including name-calling. This comes despite efforts to outlaw bullying in school towards this demographic. Some states forbid teachers and staff from talking about LGBTQ issues in school (Sutter & Perrin, 2016). Other forms of discrimination against this community in school include having separate restrooms for transgender individuals. The fact that schools have failed to notice or decided to blatantly ignore LGBTQ issues, coupled with discrimination in other sectors indicates how society abhors these individuals. Simply put, millions of LGBTQ members are at risk of daily harassment, discrimination, and victimization in all sectors.
Although federal laws protect freedom and rights, certain laws are missing to specifically protect the LGBTQ community against discrimination and hate crimes in all sectors. After a long battle with LGBTQ rights, it was found that Title VII’s prohibition against sex discrimination also covers sexual orientation discrimination (Kau & Kau, 2019). The reasoning is that gender-based stereotypes about men's and women's behavior trigger this problem. In the UK, the rights of the LGBTQ community are protected under the Equality Act 2010 which outlaws discrimination of any nature including sexual orientation. Some countries have followed suit, embracing LGBTQ. However, many cultures are worried about the impact of LGBTQ on morality. As a result, many countries are beginning to enact laws to curtail or eliminate LGBTQ rights, citing threats to religious freedom and cultural values.
Negative attitudes towards LGBTQ people put them at a higher risk for violence and ill health than