Texas Social Workers Can Now Deny Clients Who Have a Disability or Who Are LGBTQ
For decades, American people have rallied, voted, fought, and died for human rights and to end discrimination, this week Texas officials passed a law that rolls back those accomplishments.
Social Workers in Texas can now deny services to people who have a disability or those apart of the LGTBQ community. The Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners voted unanimously to alter their code of conduct after a suggestion was made by the Governor’s office.
Social workers in Texas are now allowed to reject clients for being LGBTQ+ or having a disability, per Gov. Greg Abbott’s recommendation.
Advocates have criticized the move, warning such groups are already discriminated against and could face more barriers getting help. pic.twitter.com/X8MYZBDGCP
— AJ+ (@ajplus) October 20, 2020
Republican Governor Greg Abbott wanted the board’s rules to align with Texas law, claiming that the rules of the Social Work Board cannot be more expansive than the law of the state. Abbott passed a law that gave the Governor more control over state-licensed professionals last year. Social Workers and Political Leaders have sounded off with disapproval, especially with how the state’s workers were consulted before the decision was made.
Many also brought forth the most obvious issue with the change: the LGBT community and those with disabilities are at higher risk of needing social work. With the removal of this discrimination protection, receiving care just became far more difficult for an already marginalized group.
We strongly oppose the removal of antidiscrimination protections for the LGBTQ community and individuals with disabilities in the social workers code of conduct. This will assuredly exacerbate existing barriers they face to accessing health care. #txlege #standwithtxsocialworkers pic.twitter.com/8GD5PbLWNf
— Dr. Mary E. Gonzalez (@RepMaryGonzalez) October 21, 2020
On social media, #StandwithTXSocialWorkers began trending, with similar sentiments that this discrimination goes against everything that social workers are taught. Some people even referred to change as disturbing and unethical, stating that discrimination has no place in social work. However, it was reassuring to see social workers from the state who let the world know that changing the rules does not mean that they will change the way they work.
Don’t mess with Texas Social Workers on this one…#StandwithTXSocialWorkers because every Texan’s life is worthy of respect, dignity, unbiased, and compassionate care that is upheld by safeguarding protections for the most vulnerable populations. pic.twitter.com/yrQJPG0Xxh
— NASW/TX Advocacy (@naswtx_advocacy) October 20, 2020
The Texas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers has launched a petition on change.org to oppose the new change, which can be signed here.
