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Practice Area Network-LGBTQ

 

LGBTQ+ is an umbrella term that can include those with non-heterosexual sexual identities and/or those identifying as Transgender or gender expansive (non-binary, etc.). Individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ) can face a unique set of experiences that social workers should be aware of. Unfortunately, members of LGBTQ+ communities may be singled out or discriminated against by their family, friends, or society as a whole. This stigma, along with other factors, can result in a variety of health disparities for LGBTQ+ individuals, including:

  • LGBT youth are more likely to be homeless and are 2-3 times more likely to attempt suicide
  • Transgender individuals have a high prevalence of HIV/STDs, victimization, mental health issues, and suicide
  • LGBT populations have the highest rates of tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use
Social workers can assist LGBTQ+ individuals in a variety of ways, from providing one-on-one counseling sessions to fighting for equal laws for members of LGBTQ communities. Social workers from all practice areas should work to educate themselves and continuously advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. The LGBTQ Practice Area Network can help current and future social workers understand issues facing LGBTQ+ communities, as well as how they can build and support existing resiliency.

 

If you have questions or need support in working with LGBTQ+ communities, please email membership.naswnc@socialworkers.org.

 

Transgender individuals have been the target of a number of hateful bills introduced across the nation, including North Carolina. To stay up to date on bills moving through the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA), click here to sign up for NASW-NC Advocacy Alerts.

 

March 2023: NASW-NC Supports Broad Protections For LGBTQ+ People. Read the press release here.

June 2023: The Human Rights Campaign has declared a State of Emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans. Read the full press release here.

 

Jump to a Section: 

Overview of Actions Impacting LGBTQ+ Populations

General Resources

NASW Resources

North Carolina Resources

National Resources

 

Note: This section was originally developed on February 28, 2025 and will be updated as needed to reflect additional developments.

 

 

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 June 2023: NASW Reaffirms its Support for the LGBTQIA+ Community

 

The NASW Code of Ethics includes several sections relating to LGBT topics. While you should refer to the full document for more details/context, you will find some relevant sections listed below.

  • Ethical Standards 1.05 Cultural Awareness and Social Diversity
    • (c) Social workers should obtain education about and seek to understand 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.
  • Ethical Standards 4.02 Discrimination
    • Social workers should not practice, condone, facilitate, or collaborate with any form of discrimination 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.
  • Ethical Standards 6.04 Social and Political Action
    • (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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  • Equality NC
    • Equality NC is North Carolina's largest LGBTQ advocacy and education organization.
  • North Carolina PFLAG Chapters
    • PFLAG chapters offer support for families and friends of LGBTQ individuals, as well as education and advocacy efforts. Click the link to search for one near you.
  • North Carolina LGBT Centers
    • LGBT Centers tend to offer community-level support, education, and events. Click the link to search for one near you.
  • Time Out Youth
    • Charlotte, NC-based center for LGBTQ youth and their allies.
  • iNSIDEoUT
    • NC Triangle-based youth-led organization by and for LGBTQI+ youth.
  • Youth Safe
    • Greensboro, NC-based LGBTQIA youth organization.

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  • Advocates for Youth
    • LGBTQ-affirming organization that aims to help youth make informed decisions about their reproductive and sexual health.
  • Gender Spectrum
    • Helps families, organizations, and institutions increase understandings of gender.
  • GLSEN
    • National education organization that focuses on ensuring safe and affirming schools for LGBTQ students.
  • Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
    • The largest national LGBTQ civil rights organization, HRC advocates for LGBTQ equality and educates the public about LGBTQ issues.
  • It Gets Better Project
    • Organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe.
  • Lambda Legal
    • National legal organization working to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of LGBT individuals through litigation, education, and public policy.
  • Movement Advancement Project
    • Independent think tank that provides research, insight, and analysis for LGBT issues.
  • National Center for Transgender Equality
    • Organization devoted to ending discrimination and violence against transgender people though education and advocacy.
  • National Resource Center for LGBT Aging
    • The country's only technical assistance resource center aimed at improving the quality of services and supports offered to LGBT older adults.
  • OutServe-Service Members Legal Defense Network
    • Organization that represents that LGBT military community through education, legal services, advocacy, and support.
  • PFLAG
    • PFLAG offer support for families and friends of LGBTQ individuals, as well as education and advocacy efforts.
  • The Safe Zone Project
    • A free, online resource for creating LGBTQ awareness and ally training workshops.
  • The Trevor Project
    • Organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ young people under 25.
  • You Can Play
    • Organization working to ensure the safety and inclusion of all in sports, including LGBTQ athletes, coaches, and fans.

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NASW-NC provides these resources as a benefit to our members. NASW-NC does not necessarily endorse or approve of all of the information contained within the linked websites. If you have concerns about a linked resource, or if you encounter a broken link, please email membership.naswnc@socialworkers.org.
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