Browsing by Author "Brandon-Friedman, Richard A."

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    88. The Impact of Sexual Identity Development On The Sexual Health of Former Foster Youth
    (Elsevier, 2019-02) Brandon-Friedman, Richard A.; School of Social Work
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    "An Institution Can Have Good Intentions and Still Be Atrocious": Transgender and Gender Expansive Experiences in Social Work Education
    (WMU, 2023) Kinney, M. Killian; Cosgrove, Darren; Swafford, Tayon R.; Brandon-Friedman, Richard A.; School of Social Work
    Educational settings have been found to be challenging arenas for transgender and gender expansive (TGE) youth and young adults due to misgendering, lack of affirming bathrooms, systemic exclusion (e.g., legal names and lack of inclusive gender identity demographic options), and frequent silence or avoidance related to TGE issues. Though studies of TGE adult experiences in higher education are emerging, most explore disaffirming experiences. Social work education focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion, along with how to promote social justice, which suggests more affirming environments for TGE individuals. However, little is known about the experiences of TGE students and even less about faculty in social work education. To help fill this gap, the researchers interviewed 23 TGE social work students and faculty to explore their experiences of gender-related affirmation and challenges in social work educational programs. The findings from a thematic analysis identified examples of affirming and disaffirming experiences and recommendations for improving gender affirmation and inclusion in social work programs. Social work is in a strategic position to serve the needs and impact the social welfare of TGE individuals, starting with educational settings.
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    Assisting Youth with Disclosing their Sexual Orientation and/or Gender Identity using an Ecomap
    (Routledge, 2020) Brandon-Friedman, Richard A.; Kinney, M. Killian
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    Coming Out in Rural America: The Case of Emilio Hernandez
    (Oxford UP, 2018) Brandon-Friedman, Richard A.
    The following case vignette will takes the reader into to a rural, Hispanic, Catholic home in which both Emilio, a 17-year-old high school student, and his family are struggling with his sexual orientation, experimentation, and coming out process. As the case progresses, the school social worker and the Department of Child Services become involved and the word of family troubles spreads throughout the rural community. The challenges faced by Emilio and his family are explored, the importance of social capital in a rural community is demonstrated, and the efforts of professionals to intervene become evident.
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    Does it get better? Exploring “it gets better” videos using visual sociology
    (Taylor & Francis, 2021) Brandon-Friedman, Richard A.; Kinney, M. Killian; School of Social Work
    In 2010, the It Gets Better (IGB) project website was launched to house videos containing messages of support for youth who identify as sexual and/or gender minorities (SGMs). Despite success as a virtual social movement, scholars have suggested that the imagery portrayed may unintentionally exclude those who are most marginalized and that the videos often implore individuals to endure suffering now to gain happiness later. Using visual sociology methodology, the visual messaging and demographics of IGB video producers were examined and compared against criticisms of the project. Imagery portrayed was consistent with common concerns about exclusions of minorities, those who do not fit social standards of physical attractiveness, and those who challenge heteronormativity and adherence to gender norms. Despite IGB videos’ intentions to promote hope, the tales of struggle and hardship relayed often resulted in the depiction of negative emotions. Expressions of confidence, defiance, and empathy were visible, but the most prevalent emotion was sadness. Negative visual presentations and exclusion of significant demographics within the SGM community suggest IGB videos project more complex visual signals and different messaging than would be expected from videos designed to be supportive. Professionals should be attuned to these concerns when working with SGM youth.
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    Enhancing the psychosocial and sexual well-being of gender-diverse young adults within a multidisciplinary clinic
    (Routledge, 2022-12-27) Brandon-Friedman, Richard A.; Heinz, Marissa “MJ”; School of Social Work
    This chapter focuses on meeting the psychosocial and sexual health needs of gender-diverse young adults through the provision of services within a university hospital-based gender health program. The case study involves a 19-year-old transfeminine youth who has begun the process of hormonal gender affirmation and is navigating the complex process of developing her identity as a transgender woman while exploring her personal, social, and sexual desires. Areas of biases related to care for gender-diverse patients as well as their interactions with others are covered as well.
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    Exploring Gender Identity with a Photo Diary
    (Routledge, 2021) Kinney, M. Killian; Brandon-Friedman, Richard A.
    Gender identity is an abstract component of one’s identity, yet a person’s physical appearance can be a significant source of anxiety and dysphoria or acceptance and integration. Distinct from individuals’ sex assigned at birth, gender identities refer to the internal sense of self. The social construct of gender identity, however, has been predominantly understood as a continuum or dichotomy of masculinity and femininity. According to J. Butler, gender is a performative act with a basis that lies in socialization, whereas sex is a biological categorization of male, female, or intersex according to scientific indicators, including external genitalia, gonads, internal reproductive organs, and sex chromosomes. When working with transgender people of color, A. A. Singh and V. S. McKleroy note the importance of understanding their resilience and how it may have helped them navigate challenges related to race and ethnicity in addition to gender identity. For affirming care, practitioners need to integrate understanding of intersectionality into their practice.
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    Former Foster Youths’ Perceptions of Their Acquisition of Sexual Health Information While in Foster Care
    (The 6th Annual Riley Maternal and Child Health Partners in Leadership Education Excellence, 2016-04-15) Brandon-Friedman, Richard A.; Kinney, Marea K.; Pierce, Barbara; Fortenberry, J. Dennis
    In response to disproportionately high rates of pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and engagement in sexual risk behaviors, a qualitative pilot study of eight former foster youth was conducted. Semi-structured interviews explored relationships with caregivers, opportunities for sexual health information, and comfort making decisions with current sexual health knowledge. Multiple themes were identified and implications for child welfare systems were discussed.
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    Forming Identities of Their Own: Gay Men Reconciling Self-love, Hurt, and the Impact of the Pentecostal Church
    (Taylor & Francis, 2023) Swafford, Tayon R.; Brandon-Friedman, Richard A.
    According to data analyzed from the Gallup Daily Tracking Politics and Economy survey between 2015 and 2017, nearly half (46.7%) of LGBT adults in the U.S. are religious, and just over half (53.3%) of LGBT adults are not religious. The majority who identified as religious attend Protestant churches. The Pentecostal church is a member of the Protestant Christian tradition. In a Constructivist Grounded Theory study of six U.S. gay male, Pentecostal Christians, our study excavates and chronicles their journey toward wholeness. Three major themes emerged from our study: embracing the journey, belonging to a community, and living unapologetically. From these themes, we learned that wholeness becomes possible when gay male Christians can form identities that are uniquely and holistically their own. We used these themes as a clarion call for clinicians who engage with clients encountering a conflict between their religious/spiritual tradition and their sexual orientation to actively assist their clients with reducing the dissonance they experience.
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    Fostering, Forcing Choice
    (Columbia University Press, 2019) Brandon-Friedman, Richard A.; School of Social Work