The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has joined several mental health organizations to urge states repeal or not pass so-called “Religious Freedom” laws that discriminate against people who are LGBT.
Such legislation allows individuals and businesses to deny services, employment and housing to LGBT people if they believe doing so violates their religious beliefs. Other legislation would require people who are transgender to use bathrooms based on the sex they were assigned at birth.
Read the full Joint Statement on Religious Freedom Laws
In addition the Tennessee General Assembly recently passed a bill that would allow certain mental health professionals to deny services to people who LGBT based on the counselor’s religious beliefs.
Such bills and laws run counter to the policies of NASW, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychoanalytic Association and the American Association of Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work.
In their joint statement these organizations said they do not condone discrimination in any form. The legislation is also harmful because it will have a negative impact on the mental health of people who are LGBT, NASW and the other organizations said.
Learn more about NASW’s efforts to fight against such legislation.
