Affirmative Practice and Alternative Sexual Orientations: Helping Clients Navigate the Coming Out Process

Abstract

Those who differ from the dominant heterosexual ideal of exclusively other-sex attraction and intimacy encounter unique challenges, such as the coming out process, during which individuals with alternative sexual orientations must explore, define, and disclose their orientations in a way straight individuals need not. This article focuses on how clinicians can aid clients throughout the coming out process in a way that affirms the full range of sexual orientations. Following an overview of alternative sexual orientations and models of the coming out process, a case example is used to illustrate how clinicians can help clients address three challenges of coming out: overcoming internalized biases; clarifying their sexual orientation and identity; and making decisions about disclosure.

‘Coming Out’ as a Faith Changer: Experiences of Faith Declaration for Arabs of a Muslim Background who Choose to Follow a Christian Faith

“…Family, then, is often the last to know (Goffman 1963:65). Research into the coming-out process among gays has indicated that coming out to parents is the most challenging, but also most definitive, moment in the coming-out process (Hill 2009:353, Carnelley et al 2011.…”

“I Didn’t Feel Equipped”: Social Work Students’ Reflections on a Simulated Client “Coming Out”

“…Heterosexism refers to the normalization of heterosexuality and the subsequent devaluation or invisibility of nonheterosexual sexualities (Herek, 2004;Hill, 2009;Hyman, 2008). Fish (2008) further conceptualized heterosexism into three domains: normalizing heterosexuality (the view of heterosexuals as superior and normal); compulsory heterosexuality (the "assumption that everyone is, or should be, heterosexual," p. 186); and the intersectional nature of heterosexism with other oppressions such as racism.…”

“…Such approaches take into account fluid sexual identities rather than discrete categories of sexual orientation, as well as the experiences of individuals with other forms of discrimination and stigma due to gender, ethnicity, ability, and so forth (Hill, 2009). To be effective, practitioners must learn to challenge their own biases and assumptions about sex and gender norms, sexuality, and other identities (e.g., religious, ethnocultural) to support clients in exploring, understanding, and defining their own feelings, behaviors, and preferences (Hill, 2009;Langdridge, 2007;LaSala, 2006). Gay affirmative practice models operate from a person-in-environment perspective, focus on validating clients' sexual minority identity, and help clients to challenge internalized homophobia and to develop positive LGBQQ identities (Crisp, 2006).…”

“…Researchers have also highlighted the need to recognize stigma and discrimination yet maintain a strengths-based perspective (Craig, McInroy, Austin, Smith, & Engle, 2012;Crisp & McCave, 2007;Fish, 2008;Hill, 2009;Martinez, 2011)-particularly true when working with LGBQQ people of color as research with this population has been primarily deficits-focused (Akerlund & Cheung, 2000;Mustanski, Newcomb, & Garofalo, 2011).…”

Beforeplay: Family stories, teen and adult parents and sexual health communication.

“…These were key ideas presented in relation to how their family relationships influenced sexuality communication. Researchers advocate for a client-counsellor setting that supports the exploration of experiential nature of relationships (Hill, 2009;Maree & Pollard, 2009;Mollen & Staub, 2010;Neimeyer, 2006), including a strengths-based approach to goal-setting that frames the client in their own unique context (Mclnerney, 2007;Shade, 2006;te Riele, 2010). The stories presented here support the recommendations of these researchers working within a client-centered framework.…”