Queer in Southern MSW Programs: Lesbian and Bisexual Women Discuss Stigma Management

Abstract

The author described the processes by which a sample of lesbian and bisexual women assessed and managed prejudice and discrimination while pursuing degrees of masters of social work. The author presented as being pivotal to the participants' assessments of social work settings the social cues that participants identified as indicative of potential attitudes and beliefs regarding lesbian and bisexual women. In addition, the author discussed strategies that the women used to manage others' expression of prejudicial attitudes. Through these interactional processes, the participants demonstrated that they were active in shaping and reducing their experience of oppression.

Keywords:

• adaptive behavior
• prejudice reduction
• sexual orientation
• stigma management