Among the missing: content on lesbian and gay people in social work journals

Lesbian and gay issues are barely visible in the social work literature. This study examined the content of articles on homosexuality that were published in four major social work journals between 1988 and 1997. Articles were coded according to their focus on either HIV/AIDS and the gay community or other issues pertaining to lesbians and gay men. Articles were also coded as client focused, worker focused, or macro focused. Two-thirds of the 77 articles published on homosexuality focused on HIV/AIDS. Most articles reflected a problem-oriented view of gay and lesbian people; few addressed heterosexism or environmental interventions. More literature is needed that focuses on strengths, heterosexist conditions, and social justice for lesbian and gay people.