Queering up: a needs assesement for sensitivity training for graduate students of social work regarding sexual and gender minorities

Thesis (M.S.W., Social Work)--California State University, Sacramento, 2011.Sexual and gender minorities continue to face many challenges in today???s environment. Minority stress, concerns of coming out, gender identity, transition, and family and work environment are all reasons that the LGBTQ community seeks therapy. Graduate-level social work education has placed an importance on cultural humility, especially when it comes to racial and ethnic minorities. What is lacking in the curriculum is sensitivity training regarding sexual and gender minorities. The LGBTQ community is a stigmatized population in a heteronormative society and as such its members are often vulnerable or at risk. Without valuable sensitivity training, the newly graduated social worker often feels unprepared to explore sensitive issues with their LGBTQ clients.Social Wor