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LGBTQ+
Rights 

About

What are
LGBTQ+ rights issues?

"Deeply-embedded homophobic and transphobic attitudes, often combined with a lack of adequate legal protection against discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, expose many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) people of all ages and in all regions of the world to egregious violations of their human rights.

 

The intersection with racial discrimination, on the grounds of race, color, descent, national or ethnic origin, makes LGBTQI+ people even more vulnerable to discrimination and hate-motivated violence."
                                                              -United Nations

Ethics

Related NASW Code of Ethics Ethical Standards

  • 1. Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities to Clients

    • 1.05- Cultural Competence​

      • (d) Social workers should obtain education about and demonstrate understanding of the nature of social diversity and oppression with respect to race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, and mental or physical ability.​

  • 6.  Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities to the Broader Society

    • 6.01  - Social Welfare

      • Social workers should promote the general welfare of society, from local to global levels, and the development of people, their communities, and their environments. Social workers should advocate for living conditions conducive to the fulfillment of basic human needs and should promote social, economic, political, and cultural values and institutions that are compatible with the realization of social justice.
        ​

    • 6.02 - Public Participation​

      • Social workers should facilitate informed participation by the public in shaping social policies and institutions.
        ​

    • 6.04 - Social and Political Action

      • (a) Social workers should engage in social and political action that seeks to ensure that all people have equal access to the resources, employment, services, and opportunities they require to meet their basic human needs and to develop fully. Social workers should be aware of the impact of the political arena on practice and should advocate for changes in policy and legislation to improve social conditions to meet basic human needs and promote social justice.

      • (b) Social workers should act to expand choice and opportunity for all people, with special regard for vulnerable, disadvantaged, oppressed, and exploited people and groups.

      • (c) Social workers should promote conditions that encourage respect for cultural and social diversity within the United States and globally. Social workers should promote policies and practices that demonstrate respect for difference, support the expansion of cultural knowledge and resources, advocate for programs and institutions that demonstrate cultural competence, and promote policies that safeguard the rights of and confirm equity and social justice for all people.

      • (d) Social workers should act to prevent and eliminate domination of, exploitation of, and discrimination against any person, group, or class on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, or mental or physical ability.

Orgs

Please note:  AdvanceSocialJustice.net recognizes that as society progresses, what is defined as inclusive, anti-biased terminology and vocabulary continually evolves. Due to this, specific terms and definitions that are used within the resources posted on this website may be outdated. While this website will continuously be updated with resources that will help you be prepared with up-to-date information, it is encouraged that you engage in ongoing dialogue and learning to remain informed on inclusive and anti-biased terminology to use in your practice. 

LGBTQ+ Rights Advocacy Organizations

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Human Rights  Campaign

In addition to campaigns, the HRC Foundation supports LGBTQ+ individuals, allies, and institutions with resources via a set of comprehensive programs.

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American Civil Liberties Union

The ACLU works to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people can live openly without discrimination and enjoy equal rights, personal autonomy, and freedom of expression and association.

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National LGBTQ Task Force

The National LGBTQ Task Force advances full freedom, justice and equality for LGBTQ people.

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Advocates for Youth

Advocates for Youth works alongside thousands of young people here in the U.S. and around the globe as they fight for sexual health, rights, and justice.

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Centerlink

CenterLink is an American LGBT organization which was founded in 1994 as a member-based coalition to support the development of strong, sustainable, LGBTQ community centers.

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COLAGE

COLAGE unites people with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer parents into a network of peers and supports them as they nurture and empower each other to be skilled, self-confident, and just leaders in our collective communities.

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Equality

Federation

 Equality Federation is a social justice, advocacy and capacity building organization serving and supporting state-based lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy organizations in the United States.

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GLSEN

 GLSEN is an American education organization working to end discrimination, harassment, and bullying based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression and to prompt LGBT cultural inclusion and awareness in K-12 schools. 

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Gender Spectrum

 Gender Spectrum is a national organization committed to the health and well-being of gender- diverse children and teens through education and support for families, and training and guidance for educators, medical and mental health providers, and other professionals.

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The National Center for Transgender Equality advocates to change policies and society to increase understanding and acceptance of transgender people. In the nation’s capital and throughout the country, NCTE works to replace disrespect, discrimination, and violence with empathy, opportunity, and justice.

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PFLAG

PFLAG is the United States' first and largest organization uniting parents, families, and allies with people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. PFLAG National is the national organization, which provides support to the PFLAG network of local chapters.

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The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is an American nonprofit organization founded in 1998. Focused on suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth, they offer a toll-free telephone number where confidential assistance is provided by trained counselors.

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Trans Youth Equality Foundation

The Trans Youth Equality Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) non profit foundation that advocates for transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex youth ages 2–18. 

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National Black Justice Coalition

The National Black Justice Coalition is an American civil rights organization serving primarily Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

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National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance

The National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance empowers LGBTQ+ Asians and Pacific Islanders through movement capacity building, policy advocacy, and representation

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GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change.

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Out and Equal

Out & Equal is the premier organization working exclusively on LGBTQ workplace equality. 

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Modern Military Association of America is the nation’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to advancing fairness and equality for the LGBTQ+ military and veteran community. Through education, advocacy, and support, we are making a real difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ servicemembers, military spouses, veterans, family members, survivors, and caregivers.

Resources

LGBTQ+ Rights Resources

Articles

Transgender rights & the urgent need for social work advocacy

Witt, H., & Medina-Martinez, K.
 

Citation: 

Witt, H., & Medina-Martinez, K. (2022). Transgender rights & the urgent need for social work advocacy. Social Work in Public Health, 37(1), 28-32.

 Speak out! Structural intersectionality and anti-oppressive practice with LGBTQ refugees in Canada

Lee, E. O. J., & Brotman, S.

Citation: 

Lee, E. O. J., & Brotman, S. (2013). Speak out! Structural intersectionality and anti-oppressive practice with LGBTQ refugees in Canada. Canadian Social Work Review, 157-183.

Black Lives Matter, Intersectionality, and LGBTQ Rights NOW

Monique Perry
 

Citation: 

Perry, M. (2020). Black Lives Matter, Intersectionality, and LGBTQ Rights NOW. Penn GSE Perspectives on Urban Education, 18(1)

Same-sex marriage and the assimilationist dilemma: A research agenda on marriage equality and the future of LGBTQ activism, politics, communities, and identities
Mary Bernstein

Citation: 

Bernstein, M. (2018). Same-sex marriage and the assimilationist dilemma: A research agenda on marriage equality and the future of LGBTQ activism, politics, communities, and identities. Journal of Homosexuality, 65(14), 1941-1956.

Activism, intersectionality, and community psychology: The way in which Black Lives Matter Toronto helps us the examine white supremacy in Canada's LGBTQ community

Furman, E., Singh, A. K., Darko, N. A., & Wilson, C. L. 

Citation: 

Furman, E., Singh, A. K., Darko, N. A., & Wilson, C. L. (2018). Activism, intersectionality, and community psychology: The way in which Black Lives Matter Toronto helps us the examine white supremacy in Canada's LGBTQ community. Community Psychology in Global Perspective, 4(2), 34-54. 

Articles

Journal Articles

Jump to:    Articles  •  Podcasts  •  Videos  •  Legislation  • Tools & More

Podcasts

Social Work Talks

Podcast

EP73: Every Month is Pride Month

LGBTQ&A

Podcast Series

Making Gay History

Civil Rights Podcast

S05 E06: Trans Rights
are Civil Rights

Human Rights Pulse Podcast

Ep 8: 55 Years Fighting for LGBT+

Outward Podcast

Is the Supreme Court Coming for Marriage Equality Next?

Legal LGBT Podcast

Podcast Series

Sex Ed With DB

LGBTQ+ Advoacy and Anti-Extremism with Brandon Wolf

We Are For Good Podcast 

The Trevor Project: LGBTQ Advocacy and Suicide Prevention

Thrive Spice

LGBTQ+ and BIPOC Mental Health Advocacy  With James Coleman

Root Causes Podcast

 Episode 5: Pride, Resilience, & LGBTQ+ Advocacy

Queer America 

Podcast Series

Podcasts

Jump to:    Articles  •  Podcasts  •  Videos  •  Legislation  • Tools & More

Videos

Videos

Social Workers Stand Up for LGBTQIA Youth 

 40% of Homeless Youth Are LGBTQ – What We Can Do

Advocacy groups are getting ready to fight anti-LGBTQ legislation

LGBT Rights Are Human Rights

MassMutual Timeline of LGBTQ Advocacy

LGBTQ+ Webinar 5: Advocacy

Psychology and LGBT+ State Legislative Advocacy 2022 Webinar

Advocating for LGBTQ Rights

LGBTQ+ Advocates and Activists Creating Change with The National LGBTQ Task Force

LGBTQ Youth Advocate Panel:
Nothing For Us, Without Us!

Jump to:    Articles  •  Podcasts  •  Videos  •  Legislation  • Tools & More

The ACLU tracks the state legislation that impact LGBTQ Rights across the country, and is updated on a monthly basis on Fridays. 

The Human Rights campaign lists the federal legislation and policies that they support accompanied by an explation of what the legislation is about.

Legislation

 Legislation Search Tools

This search tool lets you search pending bills in Congress, track their status, read the legislation in its entirety, and view roll call votes.

Jump to:    Articles  •  Podcasts  •  Videos  •  Legislation  • Tools & More

Tools and More

Other Tools and Resources

The HRC created this glossary of terms  to help give people the words and meanings to help make conversations easier and more comfortable. 

This page provides tools and resources to enhance social workers’ capacity to support LGBTQIA2S+ people across the lifespan.

Designed for new allies who want to support LGBT Americans but often face an array of confusing terminology and language, this short guide offers an overview of essential vocabulary, terms to avoid, and a few key messages for talking about various issues

A teaching tool  to understand the concept of gender and appropriate terminology relating to gender.

Jump to:    Articles  •  Podcasts  •  Videos  •  Legislation  • Tools & More



It is with gratitude and humility that it is acknowledged that this website was developed on the ancestral and unceded territory of the  Piscataway People. Please join in remembering the Indigenous Peoples' histories and sacred connection to this region. We honor the Piscataway Elders and other Indigenous caretakers of these lands, the Indigenous Peoples today, and generations to come. 
 





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