The National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter (NASW-CA) stands with the NASW Texas Chapter (NASW-TX), trans and Gender Non-Binary (GNB) youth and families, and social workers in Texas in continuing to oppose any efforts to redefine child abuse to include gender affirming care. This recent attack on trans youth and families was first made through the Texas Attorney General’s non-binding opinion KP-0401 (released on February 18, 2022), defining gender-affirming care as child abuse under state laws. On February 22, 2022, Governor Abbott submitted a written order to the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Commissioner “directing” DFPS to investigate such accusations. It comes after several failed attempts by the Texas state legislature to limit and abolish gender-affirming care through similar bills.
NASW-CA Executive Director Deborah Son, noted, “This effort to weaponize social workers for political gain should matter to all of us. Our duty to our Code of Ethics, values, and principles – as well overwhelming legal and medical opinion citing direct harm to trans youth who are restricted from gender-affirming care – is in direct contradiction with this overreaching and dangerous action.”
Social workers are committed to social justice, self-determination, and service to all populations we serve, including members of the LGBTQ+ community. Social workers are called to engage in therapeutic and open conversations about identity, and to empower clients, consumers, and their families in all settings. Any attempt to restrict these conversations with trans and gender non-binary youth and families by defining them as child abuse will inevitably result in harm to both those providing services and those receiving them.
NASW-CA applauds social worker, State Senator, and Vice Chair of the California LGBTQ Caucus, Susan Talamantes Eggman for speaking out against these unjust and harmful actions taken by the Governor. She said, “As a social worker I was bound by the social worker code of ethics to empower and support the self-determination of all people. As a State Senator I am still guided by those ethics, but now am bound to the preservation of our state and federal constitution. This abhorrent decision from Governor Abbot is a mockery of all three. I stand in support of all Texas families and youth in urging Texas DFPS to reject this attack on Trans youth and their families.”
We encourage all NASW-CA members and California social workers to review the NASW-TX statement on this matter, and to stand in solidarity with us alongside trans youth and their families throughout the United States.
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