Gay and Lesbian Faculty in Social Work: Roles and Responsibilities

Gay and lesbian students in schools of social work may experience discriminations and other forms of overt or subtle oppression, which is contrary to the NASW Code of Ethics and CSWE Curriculum Policy Statements. Gay and lesbian faculty in these schools must be encouraged to assume important roles and responsibilities in addressing the needs of these students. Primarily they must make sure that lesbians and gays, and their issues, do not remain invisible,. They should be open about thei9r sexual orientation and actively work toward creating an atmosphere that is truly committed to faculty must have explicit guarantees of nondiscrimination and other sources of support.