The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) believes school psychologists are ethically obligated to ensure all youth with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and/or gender expressions, are able to develop and express their personal identities in a school climate that is safe, accepting, and respectful of all persons and…

Social work strives to be inclusive of all cultural groups and religious identities. However, a tension exists in the profession between freedom of religious expression and full acceptance of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. David Hodge and others claim social work is oppressive to evangelical Christians. This article critiques primarily Hodge's…

It has been fascinating to read and reflect on this set of articles, and it is my belief that the counseling field will be strengthened as a result of this major contribution. Morrow and Beckstead's (2004 [this issue]) introductory article offers a balanced overview of the history related to conversion therapy and highlights recent research and…

Notes that, despite declassification of homosexuality as mental illness, efforts to sexually reorient lesbians and gay men continue. Examines construct of sexual orientation. Reviews literature in psychotherapeutic and religious conversion therapies, finding no evidence that such treatments are effective in their intended purpose. Establishes need…

Responds to John E. Petrovic's article entitled "Moral Democratic Education and Homosexuality: Censoring Morality." Argues against Petrovic's notion that teachers must portray homosexuality positively and ignore their beliefs against homosexuality. Believes instead that when teachers educate their students about sexual orientations they must…

Argues that for a true moral democratic education teachers must learn to address homosexuality in elementary and secondary education using methods that focus on moral democratic stands (MDS) as opposed to moralistic positions. Explains that MDS is essential because it includes recognition of homosexuality and non-oppression simultaneously. (CMK)

The author deeply appreciates the four very thoughtful responses to his essay. In reading these responses, the author was struck by the importance of a distinction most of them had noted but not emphasized or developed. As teachers, they seek to construct certain kinds of educational experiences for their students. As people of sexual or gender…

Eleven percent of teenage girls and 14 percent of teenage boys in a recent survey acknowledged having had a same sex sexual encounter. It may be assumed that the number of adolescents with concerns related to sexual orientation exceeds the number with actual same sex experiences. If, as self-identified homosexual adults have reported, their sexual…

Schools have a legal, ethical, and moral obligation to provide to all students equal access to education and equal protection under the law. For many sexual minority students, however, schools are unsafe and survival, not education, is the priority. Schools typically do not have the information, interest, or comfort level to address the needs of…

Maughn Rollins Gregory writes eloquently and passionately about the critical role his openness, self-exposure, and vulnerability play in creating classroom spaces for genuine discourse and growth. Asked to write a response to Gregory's compelling essay, the author asks herself a similar question: What role will her openness, self-exposure, and…