Think about the moment in which you became aware of your sexual orientation.

Discussion: Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression
Think about the moment in which you became aware of your sexual orientation. Do you recall making a conscious choice to be gay or straight? Some believe that gender identity and sexual expression is a choice, or more likely, that “people choose to be gay.” The counter to that belief is that one does not “choose” his or her sexual orientation; it simply is. This week you consider how people’s reactions to someone’s gender identity or sexual orientation impacts his or her environment and experience.When adolescents question their sexual orientation or gender identity, they encounter various reactions from individuals in their environment. For this Discussion, consider how people’s reactions to someone’s gender identity or sexual orientation may impact his or her environment and experience.

By Day 3
Post your answer to the following question:

How might potential reactions to an adolescent’s questioning of their sexual identity, or gender role, impact their social environment, behavior and self-esteem?
As social workers, what role can we play in assuring the best outcomes for these adolescents?
Please use the Learning Resources to support your answer.

By Day 5
Respond to a colleague’s post by offering additional insight about how social workers can work toward assuring the best outcomes for adolescents questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity. Please use the Learning Resources to support your answer.

Learning Resources
Required Readings
Melchert, T. P. (2015). Treatment. In Biopsychosocial practice: A science-based framework for behavioral health care (pp. 211-233). Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association.

Goldbach, J. T., & Gibbs, J. (2015). Strategies employed by sexual minority adolescents to cope with minority stress. Psychology Of Sexual Orientation And Gender Diversity, 2(3), 297-306.

Kosciw, J. G., Greytak, E. A., Giga, N. M., Villenas, C., Danischewski, D. J., & Gay, L. (2016). The 2015 National School Climate Survey: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Youth in Our Nation’s Schools. Executive Summary.

Steensma, T. D., Kreukels, B. C., de Vries, A. C., & Cohen-Kettenis, P. T. (2013). Gender identity development in adolescence. Hormones And Behavior, 64(2), 288-297.