Social Work Situation Analysis

Before taking this course, I never truly understood how many ways coming out of the closet and living your life as a lesbian can impact a woman’s life. From our readings of Charity & Sylvia: A Same-Sex Marriage in Early America by Rachel Hope Cleves, “‘No Kisses Like Youres’: An Erotic Friendship between Two African-American Women during the Mid-Nineteenth Century” by Karen V. Hansen, and Odd Girl Out by Ann Bannon, I learned that having a relationship with another women can cost a woman her reputation, her self-identity, her job, and even her own family. Throughout the readings, several issues mentioned that are common within lesbian relationships include rumors, loss of support from family members, jealousy, trying to adhere to societal norms, trying to live a life in the closet, …show more content…
Rumors have the ability to destroy a person’s reputation and their relationship with others. As I read Cleve’s history, I began to grasp how powerful rumors can become, especially ones regarding one’s sexuality, with one rumor about her sexuality forcing Charity to move and find a new job. These rumors can effortlessly damage a person’s reputation in their community or workplace. In regards to coming out of the closet, I realized how coming out of the closet can truly affect a person’s relationship with others. Before taking this course and reading Cleve’s history, I never truly thought about or was aware of the huge impact that coming out of the closet can have on a person’s life. Cleve’s history changed the way that I thought about coming out of the closet and made me realize the impact coming out of the closet can have your relationship with your family and with your community. Cleve’s work made me think about how these lesbian issues can truly alter a woman’s