Page 40 - Microaggressions in Everyday Live Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

14 racial, gender, and sexual-orientation microaggressions

(lower or outer limits) of social desirability and consciousness. We may view
them in negative ways (undesirable) and/or be oblivious to their existence
and their life experiences. Many sociodemographic groups in the United
States are defined by sexual orientation (gay/lesbian/bisexual), disability,

class (poverty), and religion (Islam and Judaism); are confined to the edge

of a system (cultural, social, political, and economic); and may experience
exclusion, inequality, and social injustice. When microaggressions make their
appearance in interpersonal encounters or environmental symbols, they are

reflections of marginality and/or a worldview of inclusion/exclusion, supe-
riority/inferiority, desirability/undesirability, or normality/abnormality
(Sue, 2003).
Like racial and gender microaggressions, for these groups microaggressions
are a common and continuing experience in their lives. Microaggressions
against these groups are plentiful as indicated by the examples below.

• A lesbian client in therapy reluctantly disclosed her sexual orientation to
a straight male therapist by stating that she was “ into women. ” The ther-
apist indicated he was not shocked by this disclosure because he once
had a client who was “ into dogs. ” (Hidden message: Homosexuality is
abnormal and akin to bestiality.)
• A gay adolescent was frequently made to feel uncomfortable when
fellow classmates would describe silly or stupid behavior by saying
“ that ’ s gay. ” (Hidden message: Homosexuality is deviant.)
• A blind man reports that, when people speak to him, they often raise their
voices. A well - meaning nurse was actually “ yelling at him ” when giving
him directions on taking his medication. He replied to her: “ Please don ’ t
raise your voice, I can hear you perfectly well. ” (Hidden message: A
person with a disability is defined as lesser in all aspects of functioning.)

• During a parent - teacher conference, a teacher suggested to a mother
that her son, 16 - year - old Jesus Fernandez, had learning problems.
He was inattentive in class, unmotivated, late with homework, and
frequently napped at his desk. The teacher was unaware that Jesus
worked 4 to 5 hours after school to help support the family. (Hidden
message: Lack of consciousness about how dealing with poverty can
sap the energies of people.)

• In referring to an outfit worn by a woman on TV, the viewer described it
as “ trashy ” and “ classless. ” (Hidden message: Lower class is associated
with being lesser and undesirable.)

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