The Privatization of Social Services from Public to Sectarian

Abstract

This article explores the privatization of social services from public to sectarian points of view while examining the implications of the Charitable Choice movement on the gay and lesbian community. The history of this movement is explored from a developmental perspective outlining the socioeconomic makeup of gays and lesbians, the societal perceptions and mythology of the economic status of homosexuals, and actual figures related to the number of gays and lesbians who rely on publicly supported social service providers. The article explores the history as well as the positive and negative aspects this type of privatization movement involves. Finally, a comprehensive assessment of the effects of this movement on the gay and lesbian community is presented and future recommendations will be made.

Sexual orientation disparities in food insecurity and food assistance resource use in U.S. adult women: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005-2014

“…Summary statistics were calculated to describe demographic, socioeconomic, and psychosocial factors. Age was recoded into four categories representing respondents across emerging (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25), young (26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35), middle (36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45), mid-late (46-59) stages of adulthood. NHANES' original variable structure was retained for race/ethnicity categories (non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, Mexican American, other Hispanic, and other race including multiracial).…”

“…It is concerning that SMW are more likely to use emergency food assistance, but not more likely to use SNAP, despite evidencing disparities in food insecurity. SNAP participation reduces food insecurity [36,37]; as such, increasing SMW's SNAP participation may alleviate disparities. One explanation for SMW's underutilization of SNAP is that SMW women may earn too much to qualify for SNAP, but not enough to afford food.…”

Advancing Discussion of Federal Faith-based Social Service Policies through Overview and Application of Established Health Services Research Models

“…Religion is also not universally linked to pro-social behavior, but, in fact, can foster in-group/out-group dynamics detrimental to the greater community, such as greater prejudice and harsher treatment to out-group members (Hall, Matz, & Wood, 2010;McKay, Efferson, Whitehouse, & Fehr, 2010;Preston, Ritter, & Hernandez, 2010). Religion can also be detrimental to in-group members when their identity is in conflict with their communities' religious teaching, most obviously with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered community members (Blackwell & Dziegielewski, 2005;Levy & Reeves, 2011;Rowatt, LaBouff, Johnson, Froese, & Tsang, 2009;Sherry, Adelman, Whilde, & Quick, 2010;Whitley, 2009). It should be noted that all major allied health professional organizations oppose "reparative therapy" or "sexual orientation conversion therapy," even with youth (Just the Facts Coalition, 2008).…”