Changing Landscape Of Identity

Words: 1027
Pages: 5

Focused Writing #2
The event I watched was recorded on March 14th, 2012 and called “The Changing Landscape of Identity and Sexuality: Understanding and Supporting Clients and Patients of All Gender Identities and Sexual Orientation” by Robyn Ochs. Robyn talked about how the understanding of gender identity and sexual orientation is always changes. In certain parts of our country the LGBTQ community is more accepted than in others. Gender identity and Sexual Orientation cannot be thought of as a general concept because it is more complex. You may think you have an understanding but in all reality, you just have a fraction of understanding. Robyn points out that individuals are “coming out” at a much younger age. She didn’t identify as a bisexual until her first year of college when you are typically eighteen years old. In today's society individuals are coming out as early as middle school. Robyn briefly mentions how individuals from the LGBTQ community can suffer from minority stress. Minority stress can lead to mental health problems that in turn can lead to depression and even suicide. The LGBTQ community suffered the loss of Tyler Clementi in 2010. He was a freshman at Rutgers University who fell victim to a horrible act of cyber-harassment and humiliation. His death was a terrible loss but increased the awareness of the terrible acts the LGBTQ community suffer. Overall Robyn closes with the argument that one
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The presentation made me aware that I want to make sure my clients feel safe when they come in for treatment. I will make sure to let my clients know that their gender identity or sexual orientation will not affect the treatment they receive from me. Also, the presentation makes me aware that the LGBTQ community needs more allies to advocate for their health care