Gender, Sexuality and Social Work Education in the 21st Century Caribbean - resources

Association of Caribbean Social Work Educators
Ninth Biennial Conference – July 2009

"I felt very overwhelmed on this topic. As a prospective social worker, I felt more educated on this sensitive topic. I am still trying to come to grip with my own sexuality. I felt that I am not doing my self justice. I am living to please my society and people around me. I felt more comfortable and challenged to explore myself. A very good workshop"

The discussion was nebulous to some extent with a degree of arbitrary standards and values. There is a conflict between God's laws , commandments and precepts as against man's cultural values in the society. I hope we can reach some sort of consensus in terms of accepted religious and scriptural teachings of the various religious persuasions..”

Abstract :
The purpose of this workshop was to extend the discussion started at the Caribbean Studies Association conference in June 2009 around the theme of “Confrontations with the Issue of Sexual Orientation among Caribbean Social Work Professionals” . This workshop was intended to enable participants to examine their perceptions of gender identity and sexuality and to discuss the way in which the social work profession could provide an enabling environment to provide services for all persons regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The discussion topics included an examination of how the conflicts of personal values and prevailing notions of sexuality and gender can be resolved and the ways in which social work educators can ensure that their students are able to resolve these values conflicts without detriment to the clients.

The lead facilitator was Dr Janice Jackson supported by Vidyaratha Kissoon. The workshop was sponsored by the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination.

About the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD)

The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) is a non-governmental organisation which is registered in Guyana and which has been working against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. SASOD implemented the Spectrum Health Net project with the Ministry of Health, and has participated in various advocacy forums including the Organisation of American States. Activites in Guyana include the annual film festival.

Resource Listing

Manuals

Global Rights : Demanding credibility and sustaining activism: A guide to sexuality-based advocacy

Jamaican Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education

Articles and websites

Breaking the Silence : sexual orientation in social work field education : Journal of Social Work Education, Winter 2009

What is Sacred When Personal and Professional Values Collide? : Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, Winter 2007-2008

World Health Organisation : Gender and Human Rights"

Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality :

Organisations

Guyana Rainbow Foundation

email guybowdiverse@yahoo.com