As a former employee of a local not for profit hospital that provided acute and residential psychiatric care to children and adolescents I was relieved to hear that numerous member of their treatment team have been asked to leave.
While working I witnessed numerous Phd’s, MD, and Master’s level clinicians and coordinators recommend discriminatory behavior as a way of curing gay, lesbian, transgendered and questioning adolescents. There were numerous incidents where staff was instructed to make fun of male teenagers who painted their nails or wore feminine hairstyle. The belief of the treatment team was that if they made comments about them these kids would “stop acting gay”. Comments such as kids being “fairies” and “having too much sugar in their tanks” were often made to the children in question. These kids were often ridiculed about their position regarding their sexuality. And while some hetero sexual relationships were encouraged among patients same sex relationships were considered unhealthy and not allowed to occur because they were thought to not be a “normal part of growing up”.
heterosexual female
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
In January, 2005, our Human Rights Commission issued a statement noting that "persons have experienced mistreatment based on their GLBT status". They asked the Common Council "to create an appropriate remedy." We're still waiting. Our Council has refused to give their citizens a place to take their stories, so we will. If you've been discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, email us info@sbequality.org. We will give you a voice. Your name will not be posted.
