The Norms of Conduct in Social Service Agencies:

The personal and professional situation of a Puerto Rican lesbian social worker is analyzed using feminist standpoint theory. Beginning within the circumstances of a specific group, this approach studies the effect of social structure on the lives of group members. Social service agencies claim organizational policies protecting lesbians and gay men from workplace discrimination. However, these policies are rendered void by cultural norms of conduct in the workplace supporting de-facto discrimination. This pattern of discrimination adversely impacts the professional development of social workers, the quality of service to clients, and the overall mental health of both.