The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) strongly endorses the U.S. Supreme Court's decision striking down the Texas sodomy statute in Lawrence and Garner v. Texas. The Court's 6-3 decision supports NASW policies and the efforts of social workers to create safe and supportive environments for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons.
The 150,000-member organization works in coalition with mental health and other human services professions to help enact anti-discrimination legislation at national, state, and local levels. The Association also actively campaigns against any laws allowing discriminatory practices against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people -- primarily in housing, professional credentialing, licensing, public accommodation, child custody, and the right to marry.
"Social workers are guided by the NASW Code of Ethics, which bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation," says Gary Bailey, president-elect of NASW. "NASW advocates that same-gender sexual orientation should be afforded the same respect and rights as other-gender orientation. The Court's language in the majority opinion resonates with social work ethics and principles, recognizing the harmful impact upon individuals' lives when their most private conduct is criminalized."
In Lawrence and Garner v. Texas, NASW and its Texas Chapter -- together with the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association -- filed an amicus curiae brief supporting the petitioners. Key arguments in the brief included:
-All major mental health professions recognize that homosexuality is a normal form of human sexuality, and not a mental disorder.
-Suppressing sexual intimacy among same-sex partners would deprive gay men and lesbians of the opportunity to participate in a fundamental aspect of human experience.
-Anti-sodomy statutes reinforce prejudice, discrimination, and violence against gay men and lesbians.
"Discrimination and prejudice directed against any group are damaging to the social, emotional, and economic well-being of the affected group, and to society as a whole," adds Bailey. "NASW could not be more pleased with the result in this case. This decision is a giant leap toward full social and legal acceptance and recognition of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in all states."
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