VIOLENCE AND EMPOWERMENT PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ PERSONS VIOLENCE AND EMPOWERMENT PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ PERSONS KATARZYNA DUŁAK / JAN ŚWIERSZCZ INTRODUCTION: KATARZYNA DUŁAK AND JAN ŚWIERSZCZ AUTHOR OF THE CHAPTER I: JAN ŚWIERSZCZ AUTHOR OF THE CHAPTER II: KATARZYNA DUŁAK PROOFREADING: MARCIN TEODORCZYK COVER DESIGN AND TYPESETTING: JOANNA SYNOWIEC EDITION I ISBN 978-83-933619-1-5 PUBLICATION CO-FINANCED BY EVZ FOUNDATION PUBLISHER: KAMPANIA PRZECIW HOMOFOBII (CAMPAIGN AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA) UL. SOLEC 30A, 00–403 WARSZAWA TELEPHONE: 22 423 64 38 WWW.KPH.ORG.PL [email protected] COPYING AND DISTRIBUTING IS ALLOWED IS ALLOWED UNDER THE CONDITION OF PROVIDING THE SOURCE. THE PUBLICATION IS DISTRIBUTED FREE OF CHARGE. COPYRIGHT © BY KAMPANIA PRZECIW HOMOFOBII (CAMPAIGN AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA), 2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 6 CHAPTER I / JAN ŚWIERSZCZ 10 THE ORIGINS OF HOMOSEXUALISM 11 DISCRIMINATION IN SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 19 PATIENTS AND EXAMINED PERSONS 26 PERVERSE SOCIETY 29 THE WORLD OF LIVING 32 OPPRESSION AND VIOLENCE 37 WELFARE OF LGBTQ PERSONS 46 EMPANCIPATION AND LIBERATION 52 CHAPTER II / KATARZYNA DUŁAK 58 PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ PERSONS 59 PSYCHOLOGICAL ETHICS AT WORKING WITH LGBTQ PERSONS 60 SOCIO-CULTURAL ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING SEXUALITY 67 SOCIO-CULTURAL ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING SEX 78 ECOMMENDATIONS FOR INSTITUTIONS AND INDIVIDUALS PROVIDING PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT 87 CHAPTER III 113 THE PATIENT NEVER HAS SYMPTOMS – A CONVERSATION WITH DANIEL BĄK 114 REJECTION OF ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT EXISTENCE OF ANY OBVIOUSNESSES – A CONVERSATION WITH KATARZYNA BOJARSKA 136 UNLEASHING THE SENSE OF PRIDE AND INFLUENCE ON ONE’S OWN LIFE – A CONVERSATION WITH ALICJA DŁUGOŁĘCKA 151 THE BASIC THING IS AWARENESS – A CONVERSATION WITH GRZEGORZ INIEWICZ 162 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLISH SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES REGARDING TREATMENT AND THERAPEUTIC ASSISTANCE FOR HOMO- AND BISEXUAL PERSONS 178 DICTIONARY 183 INFORMATION ABOUT AUTHORS 192 INTRODUCTION 6 We feel pain because we harm each other, and we shall suffer as long as we continue to harm. To break the circle of oppression, let us take care of the world and other people, instead of curing and fixing them. DAVID SMAIL Dear Reader, in this book we are trying to provide you with essential infor- mation that may be helpful in supporting persons experiencing oppression motivated by homophobia. It is not a publication about victims of violence. We do not call them “victims”, for we are convinced that this term labels, in- the situation of violence as empowerment and regaining control over one’s owncapacitates, situation and and may life, become that is leaving a self-fulfilling the role ofprophecy. victim behind. We perceive Everyone leaving has experienced an oppression or violence of some kind, but nobody wants to remain a victim: a helpless person, with no possibility of initiative, feeling 7 the personal responsibility of therapists working with persons experiencing violenceguilty for motivated their situation, by hatred and placingis enormous. difficulties All these in themselves. persons are Therefore, exposed extent,to violence this motivatedviolence concerns by homophobia; persons breakingit may include with stereotypicalboth LGBTQ1persons, expecta- tionsand heterosexual regarding women persons and fitting men, into that gay is „effeminate or lesbian stereotypes.men”, „manly To women” a large or persons whose gender is not unambiguous in social reception. homosexual and bisexual women and men, transgender persons, and personsIn this thatpublication do not specifywe shall their focus sexuality mainly onor LGBTQgender persons,in a traditional that is (heteronormative, cisgender) way. We believe that psychologists pro- viding therapeutic support, that is also you, have necessary compe- 1 Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer. Letter Q is an acronym for “queer”, referring to persons who identify themselves non-heteronormatively and/or outside of dichotomic division of genders. For the needs of this text, we employ the word “queer” as an umbrella term covering all named (but less popular than LGBT) and unnamed sexual and gender identities which elude heteronormative assumptions. Depending on context, in the book we use either LGBTQ or LGB abbreviation. At the end of the book you can find a dictionary explaining special terms. INTRODUCTION tences and tools for work, their own therapeutic styles, and wisdom that allow them to assess skills and apply them to various therapeutic situa- tions. However, sometimes there is not enough experience and knowl- edge. Professional development consists precisely in acquiring new publication more as an essential resource of information that introduces experience and enriching one’s knowledge. Therefore, you may treat this- tion, rather than a textbook with therapeutic tools. you into the context of work with LGBTQ persons and indicates a direc- chologists working in this area, except competences necessary to work withViolence persons motivated experiencing by prejudice violence, is need a specific additional form knowledge, of violence; expe psy- rience, and skills that consider the social context of persons experienc- is knowledge about mechanisms contributing to formation of discrim- inationing violence. phenomenon, The element the mostindispensable extreme symptomfor competent of which aid in is thisviolence area motivated by prejudice, or knowledge about functioning of persons re- maining in a situation of permanent stress, what is characteristic of 8 those belonging to minority groups. In this publication we extensively in members of socially disadvantaged groups. Self-awareness concern- ingdiscuss one’s social own contextattitudes, contributing stereotypes to andoccurrence prejudices, of specific as well difficulties as critical many psychological trends and theories, are key elements needed for ef- reflection on homophobia and, resulting from it, transphobia present in personsficient and to ethicalviolence psychological in comparison assistance. to heterosexual persons. In addition, asHomophobia a result of common present and in thesilent society consent increases to heterosexism the exposure and homophoof LGBTQ- bia in society and political debate (e.g. homophobic statements during politicians’ and publicists’ debates), reacting to this kind of violence re- quires greater self-awareness and knowledge of mechanisms connected with prejudices and discrimination. When working with persons experi- encing homophobic violence, it is extremely important to notice context andin which its consequences. that violence occurs. Therefore, we encourage to first paying careful attention to social situation in which LGBTQ persons function In the second part of this publication we shall thoroughly discuss the competences of assistance profession specialists – their knowledge and awareness which are essential for effective work with persons experi- encing violence motivated by homophobia. In this part we shall discuss current guidelines and standards, focusing on ethics of undertaken ac- persons,tions within such the as: scope careful of psychological language usage support and awareness for LGBTQ ofpersons. messages We carriedshall discuss by the basic language; issues connectedguidance on with where professional and how work can one with increase LGBTQ their competences through supervision and education, participation in specialist trainings, as well as one’s own work (e.g. by consulting the- In the last part of the publication we invite you to familiarize with indi- matic literature, filmography, knowledge of support networks). with or for them and agreed to share their experience. Such work en- tailsviduals various engaged dilemmas in counselling and challenges, for LGBTQ as well persons as seeking in Poland, one’s who own, work best method of professional development. In conversations with us, special- ists from Poland share guidance and good practices which may be useful 9 also for you. At the end of the publication we have included a dictionary contain- which you may consult should there be any term unknown to you. ing basic definitions connected with the subject of gender and sexuality persons on a daily basis; providing support, we strive to have the best insightWe treat into our issues psychological and joys connected work as with a mission. this social We workgroup. with We are LGBTQ also engaged in educational activities, cooperating with various professional groups and community life actors for anti-discrimination. Moreover, we - ing our professional life with social and personal one. In this publication weare sharenot observers our knowledge, of LGBTQ acquired person’s experience, reality; we and participate also perspective in it, merg and approach to assistance work. We hope that this book will become a valuable source of knowledge and in- spiration. 10 CHAPTER I THE ORIGINS OF HOMOSEXUALISM As defined by the old civil and canon law, sodomy was counted among tortious acts, with the offender being nothing but a defendant. Nineteenth century homosexual gained a personality, had a past, history and childhood, character and way of life, as well as morphology with incorrect anatomy and, possibly, mysterious physiology. He completely withdraws into his sexuality, it is pervasive within him: hidden in all behaviours, for it is their insidious and, in a way, active principle; he wears it unashamedly written on his face and body, as this secret always reveals it. It coexists with him, not so much as a sinful habit, but rather as a peculiar nature