“… We Didn't Connect at All …”

Abstract

This article presents a case study of an episode of service delivery in which a gay man sought counseling in relation to his sexuality from an AIDS service organization. The design was based on institutional ethnography, a research approach that focuses on discovering links between the experiences of marginalized people and the influence of oppressive ideologies on social institutions. Using a narrative approach to data analysis, I show concretely how this man was effectively prevented from accessing help by the silence of his social worker and the agency in relation to issues of same-sex sexual orientation. The study demonstrates the complexity and subtlety of the social relations that allow heterosexism to shape the delivery of social services. Implications for future research are identified.

Key Words:

• Social servicesgay and lesbian
• standpoint theory
• narrative inquiry