Twelve United Nations entities this week released an joint statement calling for an end to violence and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people. The document, “Ending violence and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people,” states that all people have the equal right to live free from violence, persecution, discrimination and stigma.
Aligned with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Policy Statements found in Social Work Speaks, it calls upon the global community to protect all individuals from violence, to work to prevent cruel and degrading treatment, repeal all laws that criminalize homosexuality and transgender persons, stop discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and safeguard freedom of expression, association, and assembly of all LGBT persons.
Recently, NASW published an updated Position Statement on Sexual Orientation Change Efforts and Reparative Therapy, which provides additional guidance for social workers working for LGBT equity.
