NASW strongly opposes legislative and public policy efforts across multiple states that are harmful to and restrict human rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ people. Since the start of 2022, there has been an exponential rise in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation across the U.S. to include efforts to ban trans kids from playing sports, to eliminate access to LGBTQ+ inclusive educational curricula, and to criminalize the provision of life-saving gender affirming health and mental health care. The rise of these state-led actions are taking place at a pivotal time when rates of suicide and compromised mental health for LGBTQ+ children and especially transgender kids are at an all-time high due in part to the persistent threats posed by homophobic and transphobic laws and institutional policies. NASW stands in solidarity with LGBTQ+ youth and will continue to advocate with our coalition partners for passage of federal legislation including the Equality Act (H.R.5, S.393) which if passed would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in areas including public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit, and the jury system.
Additional resources from NASW partner organizations:
Contact Your Congressional Lawmakers: Urge Your Senators to Pass the Equality Act (H.R.5, S.393).
Share Your Story: The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is collecting stories from LGBTQ Americans who are willing to share their personal experiences with discrimination in the workplace or elsewhere in an effort to help pass the Equality Act in Congress.
Out of State Support for Texas Trans Youth & Families
Do you live outside of Texas and are outraged at the attacks on transgender youth and families? Join us!
Learn more from Teresa Huizar, CEO, National Children's Alliance about how you can help stop the attack on trans kids in Texas.