Sadly Gay Male Nurse Stereotype is Not Just Trolls

Mistaken post ... sorry y'all ...

Thank you, Steph! THAT is Christianity in action!

I think it is important, even when we disagree, to treat each other with respect . . I especially like the open dialogue commitment. This is part of a media release prior . . can't find the article of the actual event right now. My son told me the students washed the buses and the atmosphere on campus was great.

"Soulforce notified APU in January of their intent to visit campus as the group travels through California. Prior to the Azusa stop, the group’s itinerary includes visits to Biola University in La Mirada, Calif., as well as California Baptist University in Riverside. From APU, the group proceeds to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Azusa Pacific will be the 11th school on the bus tour.
After careful consideration, the university decided the best way to affirm its core Christian values and offer teachable moments that clearly integrate faith and learning in a Christ-like manner would be to allow dialogue, said Dr. Terry Franson, senior vice president for student life. APU has planned several activities for riders, from a welcome breakfast and attending chapel service to a discussion with administrators and student leaders. These events are reserved for the APU community. Members of the media may visit the media area, designated in the northwest parking lot on East Campus, near the stadium.
“As a university firmly anchored in God’s infallible Word, we believe the Gospels provide clear direction toward a God-honoring response: we are called to love our neighbors, as Christ commanded,” said Franson. “We approach next week’s dialog committed to creating an atmosphere characterized by mutual respect, understanding, and listening. However, APU holds that sexuality is a gift from God and basic to human identity as well as a matter of behavioral expression. We believe that the full behavioral expression of sexuality is reserved for the marriage covenant between a man and a woman and that individuals remain celibate outside of the bond of marriage.”

Jesus spent most of his time with the sinners of his society and most of his interactions with religious leaders was spent pointing out their hypocrisy and telling them to take care of the beam in their own eye before trying to help with the speck in their neighbors. Jesus loved the sinner and was a perfect example for us. He did not, however, condone or excuse sin in order to do so, his response to it was simple... "go and sin no more". Churches who condone or excuse sin in an attempt to promote love and unity deny the whole reason Jesus came and died. they seem to be saying go and do whatever you feel like!

God's law is impossible for man to live up to. "for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God"
the wages of sin is Death (eternal separation from God in Hell: the "second death")
Christ died for our sins and if we acknowledge our sin and our need for him then we are saved.
1 John 1:9
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

How can you, or why would you confess to a sin that you didn't believe is a sin? That's why it is so important not to excuse or dismiss something clearly labeled as sin in scripture.

I have addictions in my own life that I know are sinful. I don't excuse or condone it in my own life and am continually striving to pull the beam from my own eye. I don't however advertise my sinful behavior to the world or to the church and ask them to approve it as acceptable.

Jesus calls us to be salt and light. salt seasons everything it touches (even allnurses.com) and light shines everywhere you take it. I'm sorry if I offend and I genuinely mean that I love you all, and would consider it an honor to be friends with you all. I am not asking for you to accept everything I say here though that would be great if you do, just don't hate a guy for believing strongly the Truth of God's word. I hope to cross paths with you over the next several years of my career in nursing so you can see how genuine I am. I would love to take you out to lunch if we meet at a nursing conference or something.

I think that the purpose of this thread is not to discuss the morality of homosexuality but how stereotyping our health care providers impacts patient care and its effect on nursing student retention. The fact of the matter is that stereotyping has a negative impact on the nurse - patient relationship and discourages potential students from enrolling in nursing school due to the fear of being ridiculed for becoming a nurse.

!Chris

:yeahthat: i'll get off my soapbox now. i would honestly take just as much offense to being assumed to be a DR as being assumed gay. we all know what ass-u-me-ing does!

What I seriously want to know is how, in 2009, does this ridiculous stereotype still exist? Surely it must be in the minds of people who either have no cultural fluency or tufts of cotton candy floating around their brain pans, or scariest of all...both.

I work in large unit in a large hospital. Of the 50 or so staff nurses that I know, 24 of them are men, including myself. As far as I know, I am the only gay man among them. Most of them are married with kids, the rest are single and dating or engaged. The men that are nurses that I know in other units are also straight, with the exception of two, whom I knew socially out of work before I started working there. Those two have worked there much longer and know who's who. We are always talking about how we are pretty sure we are the only three gay male nurses in the hospital.

Incidentally I am out at work and have encountered no negative reactions whatsoever. I talk in general terms about "may partner and I did this or that over the weekend" in the typical social chit chat the goes on around the nurses station, and refer to him as "he" within those conversations.

So my advice is to do what I do when I hear the old, ridiculous BS about male nurses and sexual orientation...roll your eyes and tell the purveyor of such lunacy that they are woefully uncool and behind the times.

Thank you for re-directing the conversation.

A friendly reminder to everyone: A general nursing forum is NOT the place for religious or philosophical debates; this is why we have AN Central. Please stay on topic and avoid inflammatory/insulting language. Thank you.

I appreciate your reminder . . . however, it is hard to answer questions like:

Originally Posted by AZO49008 What I seriously want to know is how, in 2009, does this ridiculous stereotype still exist? Surely it must be in the minds of people who either have no cultural fluency or tufts of cotton candy floating around their brain pans, or scariest of all...both

. . .without talking about WHY this stereotype still exists?

I don't think people know much about nurses period . . although they are getting quite an education with Nurse Jackie.

I didn't know the difference between a CNA, an LVN, an LPN, and an RN until I went to nursing school in my 30's.

My own husband used to think that only gay men would want to be a nurse - prior to my entering that field and educating him.

It is just hard to talk about this issue . .without talking about religion or philosophy.

I appreciate Keith's honest attempt to convey his thoughts, without malice.

steph

I also appreciate the reminder---but I agree with Steph that it's hard to debate why the stereotype still exists without examining the reasons the stereotype started in the first place.

I also appreciate Keith's heartfelt post; it is apparent that he has very strong beliefs and he lives those beliefs. Keith, you are a salty Christian!

In response to something Keith mentioned, I, too, would find it irritating to be mistaken for a doctor all the time or to be asked if I was a nurse as a "stepping stone" to becoming a doctor.

One negative stereotype that I've heard used to justify keeping men out of nursing school is that "men can't care the way women do." :angryfire That is simply sexist and RUDE. :angryfire (And yeah, I heard it from a female faculty member....)