Katherine van Wormer's Social Work with Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals: A Strengths Perspective (Allyn and Bacon, 2000) co-authored by Joy Wells and Mary Boes, is a balanced and comprehensive account of the historical, social and cultural contexts of homosexuality in the United States.
Written for Social Work students and professionals, the text provides a broad overview of Social Work and related theory on gay, lesbian and bisexual identities across the lifespan. The authors compassionately and sensitively portray the personal, professional, and social implications of same-sex attraction and love in a predominately heterosexual and heterosexist society.
The book affirms the collective and individual courage, determination, and resilience that has marked the struggles of gays, lesbians and bisexuals for dignity, respect, and for the rights and freedoms afforded the heterosexual majority. These include the rights to be heard, to be taken seriously, and to take pride in and function productively and happily within this subculture, as parents, adolescents, lovers, spouses, employees, students, and successful, if diverse, role-models to others.
The text also highlights the contributions of gay culture in film, theatre, literature, art and music, and in its political influence , in spite of the oppression and marginalization. Van Wormer's strengths perspective emphasizes that gays, lesbians and bisexuals are persons, first and foremost, with much to offer. It seeks to educate and sensitize Social Work students and professionals working in the field to the kinds of unique challenges facing homosexuals and those who love them.
Finally, the text provides social workers with specific strategies for increasing client self-determination and personal power, reducing internalized homophobia, and minimizing the effects of oppression and prejudice upon this group.