clinical social work association

Dear CSWA Members,

The attached "Statement on Discrimination” is CSWA’s way of addressing the appalling legislative attempts in several states to create laws that implement discrimination against LGBT citizens. While only four states have passed legislation – North Carolina, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Georgia – have actually passed such legislation, there are several other states considering doing so.

As stated in the CSWA Code of Ethics, “Clinical social workers do not, in any of their capacities, practice, condone, facilitate, or collaborate with any form of discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, or physical or emotional disability. (CSWA Code of Ethics, Section VI(a), 1997.)” It is with these fundamental values in mind that CSWA encourages its members to take a stand against discrimination in any form. 

If you live in one of the states that has passed a discriminatory law, please send the following message to your state and Federal legislators: “I am a member of the Clinical Social Work Association [and your state Society] which strongly opposes any laws which are based on discrimination. [Bill/Law in your state] is extremely discriminatory of our LGBT citizens and should be removed from [our laws/consideration] in our state. This law is a violation of my Code of Ethics as a clinical social worker and our national Bill of Rights.”

 You can find the addresses for your members of Congress at https://www.congress.gov/members  State legislators can be found at your state government websites.

As always, please let me know when you have sent any messages.

Laura Groshong, LICSW, CSWA Director, Policy and Practice