Since 2021, various states have enacted legislation restricting access to gender-affirming care. This qualitative study explores ethical issues faced by social workers and other mental health professionals who provide services to transgender and gender-diverse clients, including how they managed conflicts between their ethical obligations and legislative restrictions on gender-affirming care.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, attendees should be able to:
Describe how recent laws restricting access to gender-affirming care affect transgender and gender-diverse youth and adults.
Engage students in critical thinking while analyzing ethical dilemmas related to legislative restrictions to gender-affirming care in relation to the principles of beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, justice, integrity, consent/assent, and cultural humility.
Educate students about how to brainstorm options in relation to advocacy, referrals, psychoeducation, record keeping, legal compliance, and problem-solving for clients who are unable to access gender-affirming care in their states.
