NASW Hopes President’s Statement Will Add Momentum to Marriage Equality Movement

Washington, D.C. (May 10, 2012) The National Association of Social Workers applauds President Obama for publicly supporting marriage equality for all. NASW has long held the position that people of same gender sexual orientation should have the same rights as persons of other-gender orientation. 

NASW believes the President’s historic announcement, coming on the heels of North Carolina’s disappointing ban on same-sex marriage, will give the marriage equality movement additional momentum and raise hope in the LGBT community.
“President Obama’s courage in allowing his political stance on same-sex marriage to evolve to endorsement of full marriage equality is to be celebrated,” said NASW President Jeane Anastas, PhD, LMSW, who is a lesbian. “My wife and I are deeply grateful that our commitments to love, care, and mutual responsibility are being recognized as equal to those of any other married couple.”

NASW is committed to continuing the push for equal treatment of LGBT persons, including marriage equality, and has filed several amicus briefs through its Legal Defense Fund. For example, Goodridge v. Department of Public Health in 2002 established the right of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts by the highest court in the state, Jackson v. DC Board of Elections and Ethics, in 2010 challenged the proposed referendum to ban same-sex marriage in DC, and Perry v. Brown in 2011 challenged the legality of Proposition 8 in California.   

Despite recent gains in the marriage equality movement and President Obama’s statement there is a long road ahead. There are more than 1,000 federal protections and responsibilities denied to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender families because they cannot legally marry in this country.  Recent reports released by the Movement Advancement Project, the Family Equality Council, and the Center for American Progress, and supported by NASW, provide additional details about these inequities.

They include family health coverage, child custody and medical bereavement leave. LGBT families also cannot file joint tax returns and enjoy income and estate tax benefits.  NASW hopes this important presidential announcement will increase public awareness and bolster support for marriage equality.

“President Obama’s determination to ensure fairness is an inspiration to all of us,” Anastas said.

For more information on NASW’s work on LGBT issues, click here.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with nearly 145,000 members. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy.