In the last few years, social policies and other laws targeting and restricting the rights and existence of LGBTQ+ communities have been proposed and passed in more than 25 states, while other states have taken a different view and looked at ways of affirming and protecting LGBTQ+ people and communities though social policy and programs. For our discussion:
Select one social policy that has been either passed and/or implemented in the last two years that you believe has had a negative impact on the LGBTQ+ community. Briefly describe the policy and its negative impact.
Select one social policy that has been either passed and/or implemented in the last two years that you believe has had a positive impact on the LGBTQ+ community. Briefly describe the policy and why it will have a positive impact.
Share some strategies and approaches that you and other social workers and advocates can use to overcome some of the challenges they face when trying to create affirming policies and reject harmful practices and policies such as “Don’t Say Gay”, book bans, conversion therapy, criminalizing drag, and preventing trans specific health care?
Expanding LGBTQ+ Equality and Equity Through Policy Practice – Ch.4
From the chapter’s introduction: “The second half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century brought considerable advances in civil rights for LGBTQ+ individuals, both in the United States and worldwide.”
Natale, A., Havig, K., Gandy, M., McLeod, D., Gates, T. (2022). Expanding LGBTQ+ Equality and Equity Through Policy Practice. In M. Dentato (Eds.). Social Work Practice with the LGBTQ+ Community: The Intersection of Health, History, MenDtal Health, and Policy Factors. (pp. 88-115). Oxford University Press.
Impact of HB 1557 (Florida’s Don’t Say Gay Bill) on LGBTQ+ Parents in Florida
From the report’s abstract: “In March 2022, the Florida Legislature passed HB 1557, the Don’t Say Gay bill, to prohibit instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in schools. Using data gathered from 113 LGBTQ+ parents in Florida, this study examines the concerns and perspectives of LGBTQ+ parents regarding the bill..”
Goldberg, A.E. (2023). Impact of HB 1557 (Florida’s Don’t Say Gay Bill) on LGBTQ+ Parents in Florida. Los Angeles, CA: The Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law.
Download Download The Williams Institute report
The Impact and Infrastructure of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Community Centers
From the article’s introduction: “Previous literature on microaggressions has suggested that oppressed groups including lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons are affected by overt discrimination. However, there has been little research to explore how LGB individuals cope with microaggressions (subtle forms of discrimination), or how microaggressions affect their mental health”
Movement Advancement Project and CenterLink. November 2022. 2022 LGBTQ Community Center Survey Report.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh3HvYH4rxs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu9DRfFzFsE&t=2s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu9DRfFzFsE&t=2s
