The Intersection of Religion and Sexual Orientation: Pedagogy and Challenges

Abstract

The Council on Social Work Education's (CSWE) 2008 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) included the goal of competency in the ability to “engage diversity and difference in practice.” This goal continued efforts to raise awareness of diversity issues for clients articulated in earlier EPAS. Social work education has included cultural competence in areas of difference including sexual orientation and religion and spirituality. Undergraduate social work students should understand the complexity of this intersection to provide culturally competent services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer clients, and to understand religious backgrounds that may not include affirmative messages on sexual orientation. This article presents an overview of the intersection of religion/spirituality and sexual orientation, and recommends audiovisual materials that can highlight salient issues for BSW students in pedagogy on this intersection.