Counseling gays, lesbian and bisexuals is like counseling other culturally different populations in that practitioners require culture-specific preparation. As a social worker and as a human being we must make an effort to accurately understand the values, lifestyles, and cultural norms of gays, lesbians and bisexuals.

1. GROUP WORK WITH
GAY,LESBIAN AND
BISEXUAL

2. INTRODUCTION
The counseling profession has been slow to respond to the mental
health needs for gay, lesbian and bisexual. Until 1973, the American
Psychiatric Association labeled homosexuality as a form of mental
illness.
Counseling gays, lesbian and bisexuals is like counseling other
culturally different populations in that practitioners require culture-
specific preparation, which in the past trainees did not receive.
So as a social worker and as a human being we must make an effort
to accurately understand the values, lifestyles, and cultural norms of
gays, lesbians and bisexuals.

3. WHO ARE LESBIAN, GAY AND BISEXUAL
LESBIAN :
A lesbian woman is one who is
romantically, sexually and/or
emotionally attracted to women.
Many lesbians prefer to be called
lesbian rather than gay.

4. GAY
A gay man is one who is
romantically, sexually and/or
emotionally attracted to men.The
word gay can be used to refer
generally to lesbian, gay and
bisexual people but many women
prefer to be called lesbian.

5. BISEXUAL
A bisexual person is someone who is romantically,
sexually and/or emotionally attracted to people of
genders both the same and different to their own.

7. ISSUES OF SEXUAL MINORITIES
• Abuse (Both Physical andVerbal)
• Exclusion from social or professional events or activities.
• Ignoring claims of LGBT members regarding physical or mental
abuse.
• Unfair treatment in the workplace by employers and co-
workers.
• Indirect abuse, such as graffiti or gossip.

8. HETEROSEXISMAND HOMOPHOBIA
The most serious and prevalent problem that gay men, lesbians and bisexual face is
homoprejudice is based in heterosexism and homophobia.
Heterosexism refers to a set of political assumptions that empowers heterosexual
persons and excludes people who are openly gay, lesbian ,or bisexual from social,
religious and political power.
The media largely portray only heterosexual relationships as positive and satisfying.
Teachers talk in class as though all students are heterosexual.These examples
illustrates subtle and indirect ways by which heterosexuality is reinforced.
Homophobia is an attitude of fear and loathing toward individuals perceived to
be gay, lesbian or bisexual.This belief system supports negative myths and
stereotypes about these cultural minorities and maintains that discrimination based
on sexual orientation is justified.

9. INTERNALIZED HOMOPHOBIA
LGB often internalize the negative assumptions, attitudes, and
prejudice common in the dominant culture.
Internalized Homophobia manifest itself in variety of ways :
• Total denial of one’s sexual orientation.
• Contempt for or mistrust of LGB people.
• Attempt to “Pass“ as heterosexual.
• Increased fear
• Withdrawal from friends and family

10. Frequent symptoms of IH :
• Acute anxiety attacks
•Alcohol and Drugs
•MissedWork or therapy session
This self-hatred also can lead to depression, despair, or
suicide.

11. CulturalTrends
• Gay affirmative counseling: Counselors who are sensitive to
sexual orientation issues and who have examined and
challenged their own heterosexist and homophobic attitudes are
in a powerful position to help gays, lesbians, and bisexuals
recognize and accept their sexual identity, improve their
interpersonal and social functioning, and value themselves while
living in a heterosexual society.
• Gay, lesbian, and bisexual professional counselors: Until the late
1980s, it was assumed in the United States that heterosexuality
was the only suitable orientation for counselors.Today, the
number of publicly identified gay, lesbian, and bisexual
counselors is growing.

12. Groups and Organizations in the Gay,
Lesbian, and Bisexual Community
•Common-interest Groups :
A multitude of common-interest groups is available to gays and
lesbians. Examples include professional support groups for
lawyers, social workers, teachers, health care providers, scientists,
business owners, and artists.
Other interest groups are organized around recreational
activities, such as hiking, bowling, card games, music, and
dancing. Political action committees (PACs) are another form of
common interest group in which many gays, lesbians, and
bisexuals are involved- PACs help empower the gay community
and give members political strength and influence.

13. Self Help Group
SHG are effective for people who are stigmatized by the culture.
These group break down the sense of personal isolation caused by
an unhealthy condition or habit and help the disenfranchised
individuals cope and change.
Self-help groups are common in gay, lesbian, and bisexual
communities and address a variety of issues, including
alcoholism, drug addiction, incest survival, and eating disorders.

14. COUNSELINGGROUPS
Gays, lesbians, and bisexuals become participants in counseling
groups to address issues such as depression, anxiety disorders,
panic attacks, self-esteem, sexual dysfunction, and personality
disorders.
Others join groups with themes of personal growth or relationship
issues. Regardless of the specialty, group counseling is
particularly effective with gays, lesbians, and bisexuals because
groups offer a balance to the indifference and hostility of the
general culture A therapeutic group environment fosters the
development of a positive sexual identity.

15. SPECIFIC GAY, LESBIAN,AND BISEXUAL
COUNSELINGGROUP
Coming-Out Group :
The process of developing an identity as gay, lesbian, or bisexual is called coming
out.The first step is for the individual to come out to himself or herself by
acknowledging feelings for the same gender.Then the individual has to decide
whether to share his or her sexual orientation with others such as parents, friends,
children, employers, and coworkers.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse Groups :
Many mental health professionals assume that drug and alcohol is higher in the gay,
lesbian, and bisexual community than society as a whole. It is estimated that 1% of
the more than 16 million people with substance abuse or dependency are gay,
lesbian, or bisexual.

16. HIV/AIDS Groups :
AIDS, first identified in 1981, is a usually fatal disease for which there is no
known cure or immunization. Initially, gay men were the hardest-hit group in
the United States.
Groups in the gay community organized the initial, desperately needed
support services for those affected by HIV/AIDS, generated the earliest self-
help and safer sex materials, and lobbied incessantly about the need for
funds for care and research (McLaughlin, 1989). Gay men banded together,
at first informally and then with increasing sophistication and organization,
to provide and demand adequate, respectful care for their lovers and friends.
The lesbian and bisexual communities responded similarly and also have
been actively involved in HIV/AIDS support services.

17. A GROUP MODEL FOR GAY MEN
THE SEQUENCE
The following is a suggested sequence for a seven session group for gay men
recently diagnosed as HIV positive.
SESSION 1 :Telling the Diagnosis Story
The leader welcomes the group members and discusses the ground rules of the
group.Then the leader will facilitate a group discussion.
SESSION 2 : Decisions About Disclosing HIV Positive Status
The group leader introduces the topic of disclosure and identify pros and cons.
• An exercise is introduced

18. SESSION 3 : Dealing with Emotions
Here, Group members have a chance to focus on the range of emotional responses
that are typical after an HIV diagnosis.
SESSION 4 : Community Resources and Financial Information
In this session, members learn more about HIV specific programs runs by health
dept and other local government agencies.
SESSION 5 : Self-Care
Self-care topics are addressed in this session might be nutrition, safer sex practices,
avoiding infections, alternative therapies, choosing a physician and evaluating
medical treatment, negotiating changes in work and stress reduction techniues.
SESSION 6 : Long-Term Planning
Leader introduces long-term planning issues that people with illness must consider,
including advance health directives, power of attorney for health care, legal will and
insurance options.

19. SESSION 7 : Facing the Future
• A two part exercise is introduced
• Discussion of past six session
• At the end of final session, the leader ties up any loose ends.
These may involve providing phone number of local AIDS
Hotline and other services.

20. REFERENCE
• Capuzzi, D., Gross, D.R., & Stauffer,M.D. (1992) Introduction to Group Work. New
Delhi : Rawat Publication.