The Time is Right for Advocating Alongside Trans and Gender Nonconforming Communities
by Luis R. Alvarez-Hernandez, PhD, LCSW
Trans and gender nonconforming communities have historically been marginalized, criminalized, and oppressed. In the United States, multiple states have introduced policies that are harmful to these communities. However, there have been countless times in which political leaders make comments about the lives of trans and gender nonconforming communities. Although some of these statements are not formal policies, they inevitably affect the well-being and safety of these communities and could lead to the development of formal policies. The state of Texas is one of the states under scrutiny for these reasons.
The Attorney General of Texas, Ken Paxton, issued an opinion about trans-affirming care among minors on February 18, 2022. In this opinion, Mr. Paxton equates trans-affirming care to child abuse. Following this opinion, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a letter on February 22, 2022. In this letter, Governor Abbott asked the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to investigate trans-affirming care among minors as child abuse. The Governor also asked licensed professionals, mandated reporters, and the general public to report trans-affirming care to DFPS. NASW Texas issued a statement opposing the Governor’s efforts. Social workers in Texas and across the United States must advocate alongside trans and gender nonconforming youth, their families, and communities.
Why Is it Critical for Social Workers To Advocate?
The National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics (2021) states that we must ensure the well-being of our communities and demand social justice. Statements that criminalize and pathologize our trans and gender nonconforming youth go against these principles. We know trans and gender nonconforming children and youth are more likely to die of suicide than their cisgender peers, especially when they are also children and youth of color. We also know that crisis lines get an increase in calls when statements like this are made by politicians. In Texas, the Trevor Project (an LGBTQ+ crisis line) has seen an increase in suicidality-related calls as a result of anti-trans bills. This is serious—a matter of life and death for our most vulnerable youth. Social workers are not law enforcement agents. Our commitment is to our communities. With this year’s theme for Social Work Month being “The Time is Right for Social Work,” we all must do what is right.
How Can Social Workers Do What is Right?
Continue Learning
- Assess your biases and question any patriarchal, cisnormative, heteronormative, misogynist, racist, and ableist assumptions.
- Attend CEU training that addresses the needs and strengths of LGBTQ+ populations.
- Read research and materials in this area. Two helpful resources are: “The Queer and Transgender Resilience Workbook: Skills for Navigating Sexual Orientation and Gender Expression” by Dr. Anneliese Singh (2018) and “Trans Kids and Teens: Pride, Joy, and Families in Transition” by Dr. Elijah Nealy (2019).
- Attend allyship training provided by your academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and grassroots groups.
- Watch documentaries on the history of LGBTQ+ communities in the Valley by filmmakers in our community.
- Seek out paid consultation from trans and gender nonconforming individuals.
Advocate at the Macro Level
- Stay informed about policies and harmful messages that may come from leaders in your communities, state, and at the federal level.
- The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services has a contact form that you can complete under “Public Comment on Proposed Rules” in the recipient field.
- You can contact the Texas Governor through the NASW-TX action page (everything is pre-filled).
- You can find the contact information for your U.S. representatives and senators and send them a message asking them to support trans and gender nonconforming communities.
Support Community-Based Organizations
- Search for the organizations in your communities that are already working on behalf of trans and gender nonconforming communities. For example, some organizations in Texas include the Trans Education Network of Texas (TENT) and the Organización Latina de Trans en Texas.
- Support these community-based organizations with your skills, finances, and voice.
The Time is Now
Yes, the time is right for social work. Yes, that time is now. As social workers, we must use our duty, power, and privileges to support our already strong communities. Li An Sánchez, a Latina trans activist in the state of Georgia, has repeatedly said, “You can chain my hands and my feet, but never my mind or my heart.” Our trans and gender nonconforming communities are advocating for social justice. What will you do today to advocate alongside them?
Dr. Luis R. Alvarez-Hernandez (pronouns: he/him/él) is an assistant professor at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, School of Social Work. His research focuses on the well-being of Latinx, LGBTQ+, and immigrant communities with particular attention to the experiences of people living at the intersections of these identities. Dr. Alvarez-Hernandez teaches courses on direct micro practice with individuals, families, and groups.