Comments on: Michigan House To Vote On “First Do Harm” Anti-LGBT Bill

By: Tracy

Tracy — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 03:23:37 +0000

As a MSW and a member of the NASW this bill is in direct contradiction to our Code of Ethics in soooo many ways it is not even humurous. Let’s just begin with “Social Justice.” How can ANYONe in the helping field justify this line of thinking about any marginalized group of people…SMH.

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 20:11:47 +0000

You make a good point here Jake.

As a mental health professional one’s first and only objective should be the provision of competent and non-judgemental psychological care for those in need of such services.

I would hope that the APA and the NASW, for that matter, have protocols for weeding out those who are so damaged that they would adversely affect someone’s psychological foundation with attacks on their sexual orientation or gender identity. This is sort of akin to kicking someone while they’re down.

That said, it’s sad that our legislative leaders care more about enshrining discrimination and bigotry thinly-disguised as “religious and personal freedom” into our laws.

Instead of laws like DOMA and DADT, we need laws that forbid states from enacting laws that simply are structured to allow the unhealthy impact of religious intolerance and discrimination based on personal ideology.

Thanks for your comment.
R

By: lisa

lisa — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 20:03:56 +0000

anything that states “FIRST DO HARM” has something inherently wrong with it. We really need to stop trying to legislate morality in this country and move on to positive things

By: Jake

Jake — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 19:38:01 +0000

I dunno, on the one hand, I think it’s incredibly beneficial to have up-front proof that your therapist is a raging homophobe, I wouldn’t want to be treated by someone with severe enough mental problems to be on that side of the fence.

On the other hand, having a mom who’s a psychologist, I can’t imagine someone being allowed into the APA that would think that way. They’re obviously really damaged if they want to be a psychologist and their bottom line isn’t just making sure they help people.