Happy Pride Social Workers!

Happy Pride Social Workers! 

This June, we celebrate our LGTBQIA2S+ social work community! Michigan LGTBQIA2S+ social workers have long been the leaders in expanding civils rights and expanding access to services across our state and nationally. Today, our LGTBQIA2S+ social workers continue to develop new resources, provide critical mental health care, advocate for clients, and rally for more inclusive policies at the organizational, local, state, and federal levels. Throughout the month we will highlight some of our amazing Michigan LGTBQIA2S+ social workers.

Over the last year however we have seen a slew of unconscionable attacks on the LGTBQIA2S+ community through dangerous policies across the United States. NASW-Michigan is committed to organizing and advocating against these harmful attacks on our communities and working with our legislative and coalition partners to stop any efforts that may come to Michigan. We will need all social workers to assist us in these macro level efforts:

• NASW encourages all social workers to develop and participate in coalitions with other human rights, social action, and professional associations to lobby for the rights of LGB people and to defeat efforts that aim at limiting LGBT people’s rights.

• NASW advocates for increased funding for programs designed to eliminate hate crimes and anti-LGB violence.

• NASW advocates for increased funding for programs designed to provide education, health, and mental health services for LGB people.

• NASW supports the legal recognition of LGBT families through comprehensive parental recognition laws at the state level to fully protect children raised in these families.

• NASW calls on the United States and our global social work allies to fund and implement changes necessary to meet the core obligations of states with respect to protecting the human rights of LGB people.

• NASW supports the passage of the Equality Act, which would provide affirmative, statutory nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ Americans both in the workplace and in the community.

Some Michigan LGTBQIA2S+ organizations to know, volunteer with, and donate to:

-Transgender Michigan - www.transgendermichigan.org

-Ruth Ellis Center - www.ruthelliscenter.org

-Affirmations - https://goaffirmations.org/

-SAGE Metro Detroit - www.sagemetrodetroit.org

-Salus Center - www.saluscenter.org

-Equality Michigan - https://equalitymi.org/