K. Mark Demma
PSY 326 - Morrow
Paper #2
24 Sep 96

When considering ethical and moral decisions that must be made when one is in any of the helping professions, many are fairly clear cut. Do not enter into sexual relationship with a client; do not breach confidentiality; and do not put your own needs above those of the client are all principles to which practically nobody would disagree. Most would also agree that people from different cultures and backgrounds should be treated with dignity and respect. Dissension might creep in, however, when dealing with people who are of a different effectional orientation. In many texts, including our own, some room is left for a counselor to have "differing opinions" about gay and lesbian people. This room for contention is left when dealing with lesbians and gays when no room is left when dealing with people who are different because of some other innate characteristic. It is precisely because of this dichotomy that this issue must be addressed and people in the helping profession must be made aware that just like any other difference, people of all sexual orientations must be respected. Some would say that they have religious or moral objections to accepting same sex couples or affirming the gay lifestyle. Using religious reasoning to justify prejudice against others is immoral to begin with, but becomes downright reprehensible when it is being done by someone who is supposed to be helping others.

First and foremost for those who are called to helping professions, thier highest calling is to do no harm. I know from my own experience with gay and lesbian youth the traumatic effects being told by a counselor that you are "not normal" can have on a person. A study done by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services during the Reagan Administration showed that the leading cause of death among sexual minority youth was suicide and that they were at a substantially higher risk for suicide than their heterosexual counterparts. Many of these young people end up in counseling. It is critical that they be given affirming information about homosexuality. Sometimes this can be the only thing that keeps them from becomming another one of the young people who ends thier life rather than accept being part of a hated minority. It becomes especially important that the counselor gives factual information to those gay and lesbian young people who come to them considering because, unlike members of other minorities, they have no built-in support system from thier families.

Often a counselor will do quite the opposite and give out false information that is based on personal or religious bias. A person engaged in a counseling profession should remember that, although by no means an exact science, psychology and other related fields should be approached from a scientific standpoint. What this means is that whenever possible one should base their analysis of a situation on facts and not personal opinion. Many grey areas exist in the fields of mental health and many theories exist as to exactly how one becomes gay or lesbian. One fact, however, has been proven rather conclusively: homosexual orientation is an innate condition. If in doubt even after reading the scientific journals, just ask a group of gay or lesbian people if they wanted to be homosexual. With a little research it becomes rather clear that people do not choose sexual orientation.
Considering this fact and that telling a person that has come to you for help that homosexuality is something they have chosen, or is immoral, can and probably will lead to harm, the moral and ethical decision to make in such circumstances is quite clear. The counselor should never do anything that could cause harm. This edict supersedes any bias the counselor may have. If a person who is wanting to work in the helping profession cannot accept this, or if they refuse to educate themselves about the facts, quite frankly, they do not belong in this particular profession. Too much harm has already been done by those who have sworn to help. This should not be allowed to continue. Professional counselors must learn that they have to affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and this should include gay and lesbian people as well.