Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/gender diverse, queer, and intersex+ inclusion in Asia-Pacific social work education: a scoping review

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this scoping literature review was to examine the available evidence on the discussion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/gender diverse, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) populations in published journal articles on social work education in the Asia-Pacific region. Using a modified PRISMA framework, the research team searched 33 English-language Q1 and Q2 journals (with an impact factor ranging from 0.5 to 2.8) in social work. The initial search yielded 4,468 results related to LGBTQI+ inclusion. Once full-text articles were reviewed, 15 relevant articles remained. Most articles were from Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand and several were empirical papers. The chief finding was that the literature focused on preparing students with appropriate affirmative and strengths focused language for effectively intervening with LGBTQI+ communities. We found gaps in LGBTQI+ inclusive education in the literature, particularly in developing regions of the Asia-Pacific. Future research in social work education in the Asia-Pacific should explore opportunities for enhancing LGBTQI+ inclusion within the region.

KEYWORDS:

• Affirming practice
• Asia-Pacific
• gender identity
• inclusion
• scoping review
• sexual orientation
• social work education

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Krystal for their helpful research assistance. Trevor was supported as a Fulbright Scholar (2023). The views expressed in this article are his own, and neither the government of the United States nor any agency representing it has endorsed the conclusions or approved the contents of the publication. Additionally, we acknowledge the First Nations peoples of the regions in which we live and work. We pay respect to Elders past and present.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Trevor G. Gates

Trevor G. Gates is a gay, non-Indigenous man from the southern US. He has worked as a social worker, educator, and researcher for 20 years. His interests lie in volunteerism and global LGBTQ+ issues, particularly in Asia-Pacific regions. He is Assistant Professor of Social Work at Colorado State University Pueblo and a Fulbright Scholar in Gender Studies at Thai Nguyen University Vietnam.

Bindi Bennett

Bindi Bennett is a mother, researcher and social worker who identifies as cisgender. She has expertise in Indigenous social work, adolescent mental health, and intersectionality. Bindi holds the position of Professorial Research Fellow at the National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth, and Justice at Federation University Australia. Her primary focus is to promote cultural responsiveness, re-Indigenize Western spaces, explore Indigenous knowledge Systems, and delve into the human-animal bond.

Sanja Radovic

Sanja Radovic is a social worker, allied health clinician, and program support officer at the Thompson Institute of the University of the Sunshine Coast. At UniSC, she has collaborated with her colleagues and professors on researching LGBTIQ+ social work curriculum and social work practices for the benefit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.