Running Head: CULTURAL IMMERSION

Cultural Immersion
Destiney Pattillo
Georgia State University

CULTURAL IMMERSION

Abstract
Over the course of two months Social Work students focused on research and analysis over
specific cultures in society. The focus of the analysis was to learn in depth the social issues
people of various cultures experience. The focal point of this analysis was the LBGTQ
community and religion. The researcher wanted to understand how religion and family values
play into the coming out process for individuals of the LBGTQ population. The study consisted
of an interview which focused on the cultural issues, and discrimination people of this group face
growing up. The candidate being interviewed spoke about the trends, and bullying that this
population faces throughout life based on religious beliefs of what is right and wrong.

CULTURAL IMMERSION

Introduction
Members of the LBGTQ community face many different forms of discrimination today in
America. The analyzer that was focused on researching the LBGTQ population had been
exposed to many different stereotypes surrounding this group in the past. One of the biggest
stereotypes that are believed about this population is the misconception that every person in this
unit is the same, with the same story. Individuals of this population are discriminated against at
the work place, and in school. Gender roles and the churches view of what is right and wrong is
the root to LBGTQ oppression. In particular I had heard many negative responses about this
community in church, and was looked down upon for befriending individuals that were gay. It
became clear that people of this community were shunned by the Christian church I attended,
and it sparked an interest. How does religion play into the coming out process, and how does it
influence discrimination of these people (Lum, 2011)?

The LBGTQ Community

In the past the researcher had worked with someone apart of the LBGTQ community, and
saw firsthand how bullying occurs in the work place. In the time period of working with this
individual numerous altercations occurred because other men at work picked on him for being
feminine. It became clear that the people saying the most hurtful things at work to the victim
were church goers. It was baffling for the researcher to see how many people were using religion
as their weapon to hurt this individual. The researcher personally did not believe all of the
prejudice gossip that surrounded this population in the media, but as a whole they were
uneducated on the topic. The individual was exposed to members of this community, but only
people that were White and Christian. The student did not understand how other religions
affected the coming out process, and felt it was important to learn how each persons story is
unique and special.
Many people feel that societal hate is a problem of the past, but after interviewing four
individuals of the LBGTQ population it was learned that this problem is an epidemic hurting not
just our generation, but every generation living today. Even though the analysist had not been
exposed to many people apart of this community, it was more than relevant for the student to
become highly educated on this population. This topic needed to be learned because working in
social work involves cultural awareness and knowledge of ways to help every culture. It became
important to the researcher to learn how personal family and cultural beliefs affected each
individuals livelihood. Without background knowledge about the personal struggles this
population faces today working in the field with these individuals would have been nearly
impossible (Bourus, 2010).
Research

CULTURAL IMMERSION

Members of the LBGTQ community are targeted by society in many different ways.
There are an extreme number of homeless young adults struggling on the streets due to being
kicked out for being gay. Research suggests that parental acceptance or alienation plays a major
role in the mental health, and success of teens struggling with sexuality (Meyer, 2003). Members
of the LBGTQ community are at a higher risk of mental health disorders, suicide, and substance
abuse. This statistic is directly linked to the societal stresses people of this community face
(Meyer, 2003).
Religion also plays into the discrimination that many individuals face after coming out to
their family and community. The majority of homeless teens on the streets link family culture
and religion to why they were kicked out of their house (Galupo, 2011). Also one study revealed
that the Christian church family is one of the last groups a person comes out to, strictly out of
fear of being judged (Galupo, 2011). Individuals of this population face extreme intersectionality,
which causes discrimination to form within their group. The idea behind intersectionality
involves the intersecting of social identities.
This occurs for example, when a person is oppressed for being LBGTQ, but also is
discriminated against for being a Christian. The Trans community has staggering statistics
surrounding intersectionality. For example, Transgender individuals of color are more likely to
be assaulted, and discriminated against. The rate of suicide is also higher for Transgender
individuals of color. Also women transitioning into men are still labeled as a weak sex, and
treated with Sexism views from society. This occurrence shows clearly that members of the
LBGTQ community are marginalized for different reasons, and all have unique experiences
based off of culture (Crenshaw, 1993).

After The Interview

The researcher was completely touched and shocked after interviewing the subject. It was
made clear to the interviewer that members of the LBGTQ population are judged by more
privileged groups in society. One of the topics the subject spoke on that shocked the interviewer
was how accepting the subjects family was about his sexuality. Even though the subject was
raised by a Catholic preacher for a father, his entire family embraced his sexuality. The subject
explained to me that even though religion played a huge role in his and his familys lifestyle he
never feared telling them. He explained to me that he comes from a large family, and that it was
harder for him to accept himself then it was for them to accept him. He explained to me that
many of his friends are not as lucky as he is when it comes to family acceptance. He even dated a
partner who had to hide his sexuality from his family due to religious beliefs. It was discussed
that the interviewer witnessed hate from the church after befriending a gay male, and inviting
him to the service. The subject spoke from experience and elaborated on the fact that his family

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was religious, but loved him no matter what. He even expanded on that topic and said that he
himself could see a future working in the church.
It was very touching to speak to someone who has a happy story. Although he did
struggle with depression and confusion due to his sexual orientation it was awesome to hear that
his family loved and supported him regardless of their religious background. The individual
spoke that he has had a very easy coming out experience compared to majority of his friends. He
has a family that loves and protects him first, but others are not that lucky. The subject explained
that he is a part of the Latino community and that in that culture family comes first. He explained
that he sometimes feels his heritage helped him in his coming out process because he was always
raised to be himself, and to be proud of who he is. He did explain that he has been bullied for
being feminine, and has been discriminated against outside of his home. Speaking to the subject
was so rewarding, and gave the interviewer a great perspective from a Latino experience.

Cultural Work
One strategy that the researcher feels is necessary to use when working with members of
the LBGTQ community is to come into the situation with a want to learn. Social Workers cannot
box people up into categories, and each unique story is important. Many people think they know
numerous gay people so they get their struggles, but every struggle is special. Family
background, and culture play into each persons story, and they are not just a member of the
LBGTQ community. These individuals represent many other groups in society and in some cases
get even more hate thrown their way simply because of their culture.

Conclusion
Even with the recent success the LBGTQ community is still a marginalized minority in
America today. Although, the right of marriage was passed in 2015 the fight for equality is not
over. Members of the LBGTQ community are still being fired, oppressed, and violently attacked
for their sexual orientation. Based on research found at fusion.net twenty transsexual individuals
have been killed in 2015, these statistics show that even with progress major issues still remain.
The hatred that is spread regarding this population does not go away with the passing of laws,
and it will take years of action to see true equality.

CULTURAL IMMERSION

References
Alida, B. (2010). A Systematic Review of Parental Influences on the Health and Well-Being of
Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth: Time for a New Public Health Research and Practice
Agenda. Primary Prevention , 33.
Lum, D. (2011). Culturally Competent Practice . Belmont, Ca: Cengrage Learning .
Meyer, I. (2003). Prejudice, Social Stress, and Mental Health in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual
Populations: Conceptual Issues and Research Evidence. HHS , 24.
Ortez, V. (2007). Racial Identity and Racial Treatment of Mexican Americans. Acedemia , 16.
Paz, G. (2011). Advancing Diversity through a Framework of Intersectionality: Inclusion of
LGBT Issues in Higher Education. Diversity Digest , 12.
Rivas, J. (n.d.). Retrieved November 1, 2015, from http://fusion.net/story/185799/2015transgender-women-murdered-underreported/