The LGBTQ community continues to experience incidences of prejudice and bias. Not only are these prejudices exemplified in interpersonal interactions through slurs and violent acts but also in the policies maintained in social work agencies and institutions. On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court extended marriage rights to same-sex partners. Since this ruling, the federal government has extended all federal and military/veteran benefits to married same-sex couples. Despite this progress, states continue to debate laws and policies that would legalize forms of discrimination toward LGBTQ individuals. Advocacy organizations, such as the Human Rights Campaign, provide policy maps showing the different rights provided in different states (see
Social workers are expected to fight to eliminate these inequalities throughout communities, programs, and institutions.
To prepare: Consider the following statement:
NASW encourages the adoption of laws that recognize inheritance, insurance, same-sex marriage, child custody, property, and other rights in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender relationships. The Association firmly believes that all federal protections and responsibilities available to legally married people in the United States should be available to people who enter same sex unions (including domestic partnerships, civil unions, and same sex marriages).
By Day 5 of Week 7
Submit your reaction to this statement of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Describe what you think is the role of social workers in equal rights and access to LGBTQ populations.
Solution:
Social Workers and the LGBTQ Population
Introduction
From a personal perspective, I believe that the NASW is right to recognize and respect all forms of marriage regardless whether they are homosexual or heterosexual. This to a huge extent has facilitated the acceptance of LGBTQ community and enhanced the practice of social work in addressing homosexuality. Further, it has enabled the access to resources by the LGBTQ community without discrimination. However, according to Dentato, Craig, Lloyd, Kelly, Wright and Austin (2016), despite the legalization of marriages between same sex, the LGBTQ community has continued to face challenges and difficulties that often extent beyond the marriage rights. As social workers, it is highly crucial that we understand and acknowledge how these clients are affected by the societal and social influence, discrimination and oppression in order to develop productive approaches to handling them.
The role of social workers in equal rights and access to LGBTQ populations
The social work practice plays a crucial role in ensuring that equality is achieved to all diverse individuals regardless of their diverse cultural backgrounds and personal beliefs. Social workers to a considerable extent have influence on provision of equal rights as well as access to LGBTQ individuals. Taking this into consideration, the social workers ought to be sensitive and culturally competent to unique needs of the homosexual clients in order to comprehend the psychosocial stressors that have the propensity to affect LGBTQ community members (Denzin and Giardina, 2016)….Please click the icon below to purchase full solution at $10