1. JaleaShakesnider
November15,2015
ProfessorBrown
HLTH 4387.03
Cultural Competence Experience
The LGBT community began to emerge as a culture in the twentieth century. Since
homosexual activity was outlawed through state laws, the members lived underground to avoid
legal barriers. Daughters of Bilitis is considered the first lesbian rights group and the Mattachine
Society is the first gay men rights group. The reason for their formation was to end
discrimination in the anticommunist era of the 1950s. By the 1960s, they did not approve of the
laws rejecting LGBT Americans. In 1969, the Stonewall riots were significant because it marked
the beginning of the gay/lesbian activism across the country. Usually police raid the gay/lesbian
bars and arrest individuals; when police raided the Stonewall Inn, gay and lesbians decided to
protest and riot in order to gain their rights.
As of today, the LGBT community faces unique health problems that increase due to
discrimination and stigma. In the 1980s, AIDS was introduced into the gay community,
estimating 702,000 who have been diagnosed with the disease since. Also, gay men and lesbians
are at a higher risk for certain cancers. Furthermore, gay men with cancer have a less survival
time than the general population. Lesbians have higher rates of heavy drinking, abstention,
cocaine use, marijuana, and inhalants. The elders in the LGBT community experience health
problems not faced by the general population. They are more likely to live alone than elders in
the population at large. Also, there are few agencies existing to meet their social service needs.
In the health care system, elders are less able to deal with discrimination than the younger
members. In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association declassified homosexuality as a mental
illness. Although, they are still at risk for mental health problems, due to stressors related to
antigay or negative attitudes. There are higher rates of depression, conduct disorders, bipolar

2. JaleaShakesnider
November15,2015
ProfessorBrown
HLTH 4387.03
disorders, and mood disorders. They also have higher rates of suicide attempts and suicides. The
transgender population experience health problems similar to those who face major life changes,
minority status, and chronic health conditions. There are tons of health problems the LGBT
community encounters, which should decrease as society is more accepting to them.
Same-sex couples are legally allowed to obtain a marriage license in all 50 states. “Wow!
History has been made,” a young, gay male whom I was interviewing exclaimed. “It has had
policies—responses to immediate needs or political pressures—that are often contradictory and
inadequate to cope with the size and diversity of its racial and ethnic populations” (Crawford,
2004). This is my reason for choosing this community. I did not agree with the decision United
States made because younger generations will assume it is okay to live their life this way. But, I
was interested in learning more about this evolving community. I wanted to know how has this
affected their lives for the better and what improvement has been made. What makes them
different from me, besides their preference of who they like? Do they consider themselves apart
of society? What challenges do they face on the daily? I was open to learning about life in the
LGBT community. After all, this is the second largest community in the world! It is unbelievable
to think on something people saw as a mental illness once before is now considered the norm.
Although the LGBT is one big community, there are several smaller gay/lesbian communities
located in cities; one of them are Huntsville. After asking around for an LGBT organization on
Sam Houston State University campus, Haven was brought to my attention. It is an organization
serving as a resource network and promoting equality for the LGBT community on campus.
After attending one of their meetings, I met a few gay/lesbian people who I will describe as

3. JaleaShakesnider
November15,2015
ProfessorBrown
HLTH 4387.03
positive, happy, and free. My interaction with this community was phenomenal. Everyone was
very accepting, despite not knowing anything about me.
“Competence implies having the capacity to function effectively as an individual and an
organization within the context of the cultural beliefs, behaviors, and needs presented by the
community as well as having the ability to foster respectful and effective interactions with people
of many cultures” (Cross, 1989; Lynch & Hanson, 1998). Mostly everyone whom I spoke with
faced discrimination in some type of form daily; yet, there was so much enthusiasm in their
voice. Being in this community gave them happiness and freedom. They were free to be
themselves and happy because of it, no matter what obstacles they faced. I could only think how
better functioning they were than most straight people in society. Also, my race, ethnicity, and
gender did not matter to them. “We’re all human we should not treat anyone differently because
of how they choose to live their life,” Jessica mentioned in one of the meetings. She was right.
Jessica, a Caucasian lesbian female, was one of the first people I encountered. After talking to
her, I realized there was no difference between us, except our liking of people. We had a lot in
common, which is when I realize I am one of them and she is one of us. I consider myself a
community “insider” because although I am not a part of the LGBT community, they made me
feel as though I was by welcoming me in with open arms and conversing with me as though
they’ve been knowing me. I have noticed their community is accepting because they know what
it feels like to be unaccepted, whether it is by society or their own family. This causes them to
grow a stronger liking to their partner and the LGBT community because there is no judgment
being made. “Despite widespread interest, cultural competence remains a vaguely defined goal
with no explicit criteria established for its accomplishment or assessment” (Hunt, 2001).

4. JaleaShakesnider
November15,2015
ProfessorBrown
HLTH 4387.03
Although there is no data presented, cultural competence has increased within the LGBT
community over the years. They are able to function in society better because of our conforming
attitudes towards them. Because of the law allowing marriage globally, the gay/lesbians respect
us more. “Respect is all we want, the law gave us a sense of that respect,” one interviewee
proudly said. I understand the LGBT community a lot better after getting to know them on a
personal level. After conversing with a few of them, it was brought to my awareness that they
just want to live their lives in peace just like everyone else. Although we face different obstacles,
I could relate to them because in life everyone wants to be respected or accepted in some type of
way, whether it is by society, family, school, friends, etc. Cultural competence is about
functioning properly within a community.
While society makes it hard on the LGBT community to function properly, they continue
to excel in this area. Their mental health problems have decreased, but still continue to affect
their lives in a major way because of the unjust treatment they receive daily. I, myself am more
accepting to the LGBT community after learning about them. Just imagine getting death stares,
harsh words, and inequality service from random strangers every day. I find it very courageous
they would endure this type of behavior. “Do not underestimate the power of words,” I was told
in one interview. Mike, an African American gay male won me over when he told me this story
of a guy friend he knew growing up who committed suicide after his dad called him worthless
and disowned him. It opened my eyes to a lot and just made me think about how someone’s life
can change drastically just based on a person’s choice of words. Some things are just better left
unsaid. I am very thankful for this experience. I have acquired knowledge on the LGBT
community that I can share with others in order to increase cultural competence.