This document discusses issues related to sexual orientation and the LGBTQ community. It addresses common myths and stereotypes about LGBTQ individuals, the biological and scientific basis of sexual orientation, discrimination and legal issues faced by the community, high rates of suicide among LGBTQ youth, and unethical practices like conversion therapy. It also provides local and national resources for support and advocacy.

1. Rocky Lucas
MSW student, University of Kentucky

2.  Encompasses specifically the areas of a
person’s sexual orientation
 Straight/Lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender/
intersex
 Issues of sexual orientation often get lumped in
with gender identity
 Very few GLBT individuals desire to live as, or
“be,” the opposite sex
 It is an unfair stereotype that all GLBT people
will “act gay,” i.e.. (the “queen” or the “butch”)

3.  They are child molesters (especially gay men)
 All, or most, have AIDS (especially gay men)
 They are promiscuous/have no desire to be
in monogamous relationships
 Family ties are not important to them/they
do not wish to have children
 They hate God/cannot be Christian/have no
desire to be spiritual
 Being “gay” is the most important part of
who they are

4.  There has been no clear scientific reason found
for variations in sexual orientation
 Most research in the last few yrs. suggest it is
primarily related to biology (i.e., born gay)
 There is no reputable research which suggests
that being gay is a “choice”
 Sexual orientation is usually determined at a
very young age (pre-adolescence)
 Research has consistently shown that 10-15% of
people are homosexual

5.  Leviticus 18:22 - "You shall not lie with a male
as with a woman. It is an abomination.“
 Leviticus 20:13 - "If a man lies with a male as he
lies with a woman, both of them have
committed an abomination. They shall surely
be put to death. Their blood shall be upon
them.“
 Many people choose to interpret these verses
literally, and use them to explain why
homosexuality is “wrong” and “sinful”

6.  Leviticus 20:9 - "For everyone who curses his
father or his mother shall surely be put to death.
He has cursed his father or his mother. His blood
shall be upon him.
 Leviticus 20:18 - "If a man lies with a woman
during her sickness and uncovers her nakedness,
he has discovered her flow, and she has uncovered
the flow of her blood. Both of them shall be cut off
from her people.“
 Leviticus 25:44 - "Your male and female slaves are
to come from the nations around you; from them
you may buy slaves.

7.  Most everyone within mainstream Christianity
agrees those verses are not to be applied
literally today
 Why are the verses against homosexuality,
which are on the same page of the Bible as
those verses, applied literally?
 Religious views which see homosexuality as
wrong and sinful influence the national debate
on gay rights, gay marriage, gay adoption, etc.
 As social workers and people of faith, you have
a responsibility to really study this issue

8.  Gay relationships are devalued by society
 Gay marriage not recognized federally, and
only in a few states
 Legal, financial, and other repercussions of this
inequality (Major issues, like health insurance,
survivor benefits, medical decision-making,
and minor ones, such as trying to get a
“couples” membership at a health club)
 Adopting children (Not legal in some states,
custody/visitation issues for gay parents)

9.  Military service (Don’t Ask Don’t tell just
recently repealed)
 Employment protection (Sexual orientation and
gender identity are not a protected class under
federal civil rights laws
 Housing Laws (see above)
 Hate Crimes (Sexual orientation and gender
identity were not covered under federal hate
crimes laws until 2009)

10.  LGBT youth are up to four times more likely to
attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers
 More than 1/3 of LGBT youth report having
made a suicide attempt
 Nearly half of young transgender have
seriously thought about suicide and one
quarter report having made a suicide attempt
 LGBT youth who come from highly rejecting
families are more than 8 times as likely to have
attempted suicide than those supported by
their families

11.  “Ex-gay ministries” and “conversion therapy”
 Lack of support from family, peers, church,
community, bullying at school, etc.
 The “coming out” process:
 Usually happens on an incremental basis, as
GLBT individuals become more comfortable
with their sexual identity
 Can be the most dangerous time (Rejection by
family/friends/church, potential for becoming
victims of violence is higher)

12.  Be positive, affirming of the individual’s sexual
orientation/gender identity (They are who
they were meant to be)
 Provide emotional support as needed (You
may be their ONLY resource for this)
 Be proactive in making sure those in your
sphere of influence also support GLBT people
 Take an active part in stopping hatred,
discrimination, and misunderstanding
 Refer to the NASW Code of Ethics

13.  Very lacking (no gay-straight alliances at local
schools, no support groups, etc.)
 No current active GSA chapter on Hazard
KCTCS campus
 Several groups in Kentucky working towards
social justice for GLBT people:
www.kentuckyfairness.org
www.fairness.org
www.kyequality.org
http://douglassblvdcc.com/

14.  www.thetrevorproject.com
 http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/sexual-
orientation.aspx
 http://www.thetaskforce.org/
If you need to contact me with any questions,
please email me at rockylucas81@yahoo.com