Discuss one or more of the following:
What are the key factors that need to be addressed when working with LGBTQIA2S+ people?
Discuss similarities and differences in the several groups contained within the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
Are there similarities between any of these groups and the groups you researched? (AFRICAN AMERICAN, HISPANIC)
How would you incorporate the key factors into your plan for working with clients from these groups?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Understanding and Supporting LGBTQIA2S+ Communities
Key Factors When Working with LGBTQIA2S+ People
When working with LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, healthcare professionals must consider several key factors to create an inclusive and supportive environment:
1. Cultural Competence: Understanding and respecting the diverse backgrounds and experiences within the LGBTQIA2S+ community is crucial. This includes recognizing different identities such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, two-spirit, and others. Each identity comes with its own set of challenges and cultural nuances that must be acknowledged.
2. Affirmative Language: Using inclusive and affirming language is essential. This involves using correct pronouns and names as well as avoiding assumptions about a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation based on their appearance.
3. Mental Health Considerations: Individuals from the LGBTQIA2S+ community often face higher rates of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation due to discrimination, stigma, and social isolation. It is important to approach these topics sensitively and offer appropriate resources for mental health support.
4. Access to Care: Many LGBTQIA2S+ individuals may have experienced discrimination in healthcare settings, which can lead to reluctance in seeking care. Creating a safe space where clients feel comfortable discussing their health concerns is critical.
5. Intersectionality: Recognizing that many individuals belong to multiple marginalized groups (e.g., racial minorities, people with disabilities) is important. The intersectionality of these identities can compound experiences of discrimination and affect access to care.
Similarities and Differences Within the LGBTQIA2S+ Community
The LGBTQIA2S+ community is not monolithic; it consists of diverse groups with unique characteristics:
– Similarities:
– Shared experiences of marginalization and discrimination.
– A common goal of advocating for rights, recognition, and acceptance.
– Communities often provide support networks that foster solidarity and resilience.
– Differences:
– Cultural influences can shape experiences significantly—for instance, transgender individuals may face unique challenges related to gender-affirming care.
– Different groups within the community may prioritize various social issues (e.g., marriage equality vs. transgender rights).
– The intersection of race and ethnicity within the LGBTQIA2S+ community can lead to different experiences; for example, Black and Hispanic LGBTQ individuals may face additional barriers related to race in addition to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Similarities Between LGBTQIA2S+ Groups and Racial Minority Groups
There are notable similarities between the LGBTQIA2S+ community and racial minority groups such as African American and Hispanic communities:
– Shared Experiences of Discrimination: Both groups have faced systemic discrimination, stigma, and marginalization in society. This often leads to significant mental health challenges.
– Cultural Pride and Identity: Just as the LGBTQIA2S+ community celebrates pride in their identities, racial minority communities often engage in cultural celebrations that affirm their heritage.
– Community Support Systems: Both groups tend to develop strong community networks that provide support, advocacy, and a sense of belonging.
Incorporating Key Factors into Client Planning
To effectively work with clients from LGBTQIA2S+ communities as well as African American and Hispanic communities:
1. Training for Cultural Competence: Healthcare providers should undergo training on LGBTQIA2S+ issues as well as cultural sensitivity regarding racial minorities. This training should include understanding unique health disparities faced by these communities.
2. Creating Safe Spaces: Ensure that healthcare environments are visibly affirming (e.g., displaying inclusive signage) to foster trust among clients.
3. Personalized Care Plans: Develop individualized care plans that consider the unique needs of clients from these communities. This involves open conversations about health issues relevant to their identities.
4. Collaboration with Community Organizations: Partner with local LGBTQIA2S+ organizations as well as those serving African American and Hispanic populations to facilitate outreach, education, and resource sharing.
5. Advocacy and Policy Change: Actively advocate for policies that promote equality and access to care for all marginalized populations, recognizing that systemic change is necessary for long-term improvement in health outcomes.
Conclusion
Working effectively with LGBTQIA2S+ individuals requires an understanding of their unique experiences, challenges, and cultural identities. By acknowledging the similarities and differences within this diverse community—and recognizing parallels with other marginalized groups—healthcare providers can create more inclusive and effective care strategies. Implementing cultural competence training, fostering safe spaces, developing personalized care plans, collaborating with community organizations, and advocating for policy change are all essential steps in this process.
References
Budge, S. L., Adelson, J. L., & Howard, K. A. (2013). Anxiety and depression in transgender individuals: The roles of social support and social identity. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 81(3), 545-557. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031774
