Using an ecological perspective to highlight five principle areas of child welfare, Mallon discusses each in terms of how they pertain to individuals and families whose lives are effected by issues of sexual orientation. Let's Get This Straight uncovers and challenges the pervasive incidence of "heterocentrism" within the social work profession, drawing upon case studies and in-depth interviews to illustrate the degree to which myths and stereotypes about gay and lesbian youth detrimentally affect those most in need of assistance.

A new, more comprehensive edition of the classic Social Work text Although the vast majority of LGBT persons are healthy, resilient, and hardy individuals who do not seek social work intervention, some have been or will be clients in social work agencies. Social Work Practice with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People is the updated classic text that has expanded its scope to include new content on practice with bisexual and transgender populations—and incorporated this content throughout. This informative book provides a knowledge base of practice that will better prepare students and practitioners for working sensitively, competently, and effectively with LGBT individuals. The text now covers content on LGBT populations as articulated by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Comprehensive and practical, this unique text discusses the pragmatic aspects of social work with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. It will improve and reinforce competent practice with LGBT persons and their families in multiple settings. Chapters focus on important topics such as: the profession’s core values and ethical principles identifying, analyzing, and resolving ethically challenging practice problems LGBT persons of color—heterosexism, racism, and sexism applying the life model and the stress-coping process the root of conflicts in allegiances and pressures for unity via homogeneity practice with bisexual, transgender, and gender non-conforming persons sexual conversion therapy traditional psychoanalytic notions of lesbian couples the impact of sexual abuse on lesbian couples internalized homophobia, heterocentrism, and gay identity group work practice with the LGBTQ community clinical assessment for families where sexual orientation is an issue LGBT parenting the role of health care and many more! Complete with a highly detailed appendix of symbols, definitions, and terms, Social Work Practice with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People, is an invaluable resource for social workers and mental health professionals as well as for students and educators at all levels of experience.

Gay parenting is a topic on which almost everyone has an opinion but almost nobody has any facts. Here at last is a book based on a thorough review of the literature, as well as interviews with a pioneering group of men who in the 1980s chose to become fathers outside the boundaries of a heterosexual union—through foster care, adoption, and other kinship relationships. This book reveals how very natural and possible gay parenthood can be. What factors influence this decision? How do the experiences of gay dads compare to those of heterosexual men? How effectively do professional services such as support groups serve gay fathers and prospective gay fathers? What elements of the social climate are helpful—and hurtful? Gay Men Choosing Parenthood challenges a great deal of misinformation, showing how gay fathers from different backgrounds adapted, perceived, and constructed their options and their families.