Journal Entry–Social Workers and the LGBTQ Population 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 http://www.hrc.org/state_maps). Social workers are expected to fight to eliminate these inequalities throughout communities, programs, and institutions. Human Rights Campaign 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). 2 pages ...

1. Journal Entry–Social Workers and the LGBTQ Population
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
http://www.hrc.org/state_maps). Social workers are expected to
fight to eliminate these inequalities throughout communities,
programs, and institutions.
Human Rights Campaign
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). 2 pages