
LGBTQ+
Rights
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
Related NASW Code of Ethics Ethical Standards
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1. Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities to Clients
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1.05- Cultural Competence​
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(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.​
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6. Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities to the Broader Society
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6.01 - Social Welfare
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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.
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6.02 - Public Participation​
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Social workers should facilitate informed participation by the public in shaping social policies and institutions.
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6.04 - Social and Political Action
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(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.
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(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.
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(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.
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(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.
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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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.
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)
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.
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.
Journal Articles
Jump to: Articles • Podcasts • Videos • Legislation • Tools & More
Other Types of Articles
Advocating for Transgender Clients
Link:
https://www.naswoh.org/page/transadvocacy/Advocating-for-Transgender-Clients.htm
The Ethics of Being an Ally to the LGBTQ+ Community
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Link:
https://csw.osu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Schwartz-Majorie.pdf