A Developmental Approach to Gay and Lesbian Youth

Abstract

Literature concerning homosexual identity development is reviewed. At‐risk issues and developmental difficulties for gay and lesbian youth are discussed. Developmental guidance program responses are proposed.

Applying Social Empowerment Strategies as Tools for Self-Advocacy in Counseling Lesbian and Gay Male Clients

“…The results of the Kinsey et al report purported to show that the majority of participants endorsed sexual orientations along the continuum rather than in a strict bipolar fashion. Some investigators have used these results to demonstrate the inadequate and misleading nature of the "heterosexual" and "homosexual" labels so commonly used today (McFarland, 1993). This inadequacy is supported by other investigators (e.g., Bullough, 1990;Remafedi, 1985;Savin-Williams, 1988) who have noted that sexual behaviors engaged in by persons of the same biological sex are not uncommon at various stages of human development (e.g., adolescence), regardless of the sexual orientation label one ascribes to him-or herself.…”

Counselors as Advocates for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youth: A Call for Equity and Action

“…Socially active counselors are ones who intervene in the lives of their students and act as change agents to address educational practices that have the potential to negatively affect their students. The past 10 years have been defined by disturbing research demonstrating that gay, lesbian, and bisexual students are at greater risk than their peers for suicide and for physical and emotional abuse in schools, yet this research has had minimal influence on changing school systems (Gibson, 1989;McFarland, 1993;Schneider, Taylor, Kemeny, & Hammen, 1991). A lack of recognition and protection by educational institutions is cited as a key contributor to the critically high level of suicide among gay, lesbian, and bisexual students (D'Augelli & Hershberger, 1995).…”

“…Have books available as part of the guidance resources. There is a paucity of material for educators on advocating for gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth in schools, but the following authors have created reference material (see reference list for the complete citation) that school counselors will frnd helpful in their advocacy role: Adams, 1997;Anderson, 1994;Bauman and Sachs-Kapp, 1998;Carroll and Senvatka, 1999;Fontaine, 1998;Harris, 1997;Harris and Bliss, 1997;Hetrick and Martin, 1987;Lipkin, 1999;Marinoble, 1998;McFarland, 1993;Monteiro and Fuqua, 1994;Muller and Hartman, 1998;Remafedi et al, 1991;Reynolds andKoski, 1993/1994;Robinson, 1994;Rofes, 1989; T. Sears, 1991;Uribe and Harbeck, 1992;Walsh, 1996; http://www.apa.org/ed/lgbproj.html (a Web site that is in the process of establishing links to most publications on gay, lesbian, and bisexual issues to include many of the above references).…”