Why Social Workers Should NOT Be Able to Discriminate Against the LGBTQ+ Community
Tags: LGBTQ, Law, Discrimination, Social Work, Civil Rights

The LGBTQ+ community faces a myriad of challenges, such as discrimination, injustices, bullying, and even rape. Violation of their rights is also apparent even to those who are tasked with safeguarding their rights.

Social workers have a role in promoting community policies. They are positioned to be LGBTQ+ allies. LGBTQ+ people need social support, wellness, safety, and equity, which should be encouraged by social workers.

We see that discrimination is a prevalent trend in the U.S. Some social workers are part of the people discriminating against the queer community even though their role towards the LGBTQ+ community should be to support instead of discriminating or practicing unfairness.

Rules against Discrimination of LGBTQ+ People

The LGBTQ+ community has had various movements and campaigns aimed at fighting injustices. Some of these battles are presented to courts where some are successful such as the Supreme Court’s anti-discrimination rule in June. Several challenges are posed in multiple places to ensure that the regulations implemented can stop discrimination against LGBTQ+ people.

The U.S. Supreme Court has recently encountered such battles and ruled against discrimination for LGBTQ+ workers. The court ruling clearly emphasized the need for federal employment laws to protect LGBTQ+ workers.

Social workers are not exempt from this ruling. Support for the LGBTQ+ community ensures that LGBTQ+ people have access to social services regarding employment. A profound contribution of the social workers in enforcing the anti-discrimination law is hence vital.

Anyone remember Mrs. Sellner? Would she have been LGBTQ+ friendly?

Dropping of Non-Discrimination Rules for LGBTQ+ People

Social workers in Texas had recently dropped the non-discrimination rules against the LGBTQ+ community. It is, however, confusing because the social groups are supposed to protect the them. Recommendations from the governor’s office also seem not to favor the queer community.

However, it is a challenging task to try to do away with the protection of LGBTQ+ people by social workers. Because the social workers’ roles are inseparable from serving the queer community, failing to help them is not in order.

The code of conduct that prohibits social workers from turning away should not apply. Just like anyone else, members of the LGBTQ+ community should get quality services from everyone. LGBTQ+ folks shouldn’t be denied access to education, healthcare, housing services, and social services. Reinstatement of the ruling is therefore orderly.

LGBTQ+ People are Exposed to More Risks

Social workers play a crucial support role in protecting LGBTQ+ people. Discriminating against the social group means exposing them to more risks. Violation of their rights will persist if social workers do not provide essential services, and the cases will grow because no one works for them.

Such discrimination will grow even in other public places. The people who have initially played an active role in protecting the community have halted their services, leaving the queer community in a desolate situation. When the LGBTQ+ community is not protected, the level of fear grows.

Without social workers’ presence, the LGBTQ+ community will not participate in many activities due to fear of discrimination and bullying. The ethics and values that govern serving the queer community tend to lower hence affecting their equality. Members of the community need a voice that gets amplified by the social workers.

The Welfare of LGBTQ+ People at Risk

Having undergone various violations of their rights, the LGBTQ+ community is supposed to be supported by the social workers. They play a significant role in ensuring they guide and provide the kind of services the community needs.

If social workers do not provide support for the LGBTQ+ community, it can lead to a significant loss against the welfare of their daily lives.

The role of social workers in the lives of LGBTQ+ people is vital. Among the things they do is provide the queer community with social support, counseling, and guidance.

The lives of the queer community are exposed to violations of rights and unfairness when social workers fail to support them. Social workers should lead from the front in protecting LGBTQ+ rights, but not discriminating against them.