EFLAG Report

--Lori Messinger, Chair, EFLAG

Educators and Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People (EFLAG) promotes research, education, and organizational support to social work educators around lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and questioning (LGBTIQ) issues in undergraduate social work practice and education. The EFLAG committee met at the 2007 CSWE Annual Program Meeting and again at the 2008 BPD conference.

EFLAG offered one sponsored session at the 2008 BPD Conference entitled, “Organizing for social justice in the workplace: Using LGBT-related campus policies as exemplars for students.” Presenters for the session were Lori Messinger (University of Kansas), Cathryne Schmitz (University of North Carolina at Greensboro), and Linda Moore (Texas Christian University). This session reviewed research on LGBTIQ-related activism on U.S. campuses related to LGBTIQ-inclusive nondiscrimination policies, domestic partner benefits, and the creation of an LGBTIQ-affirmative campus. Presenters discussed reflections from those who have undertaken these projects as part of student projects. Participants were provided with suggestions for activities they could undertake on their own campuses. 

We published course modules related to LGBT issues in social work on the BPD website. Topics include stereotypes about LGBT people, ethical issues, coming out, adolescence, gay affirmative practice, and working with rural African American and Hispanic gay men. We would like to express our appreciation to all those who contributed and reviewed these modules, and we would encourage all BSW educators to take a look at them at http://www.bpdonline.org/site/indexer/178/content.htm.

At our last meeting at the BPD conference, EFLAG clarified that one of our ongoing goals is to reach across different kinds of diversity and oppression to become better allies and advocates. In that vein, EFLAG is planning to work with the Anti-Racism committee on developing a pre-conference institute for the next BPD. Several members of EFLAG offered to serve as planners and facilitators. The group also discussed planning a field trip to lesbian and gay retirement and assisted care communities in Phoenix, or to invite members of those communities to come speak at the conference. We also identified other potential opportunities for a salon at the conference. The members of EFLAG are also looking for ways to enhance the conference experience for LGBTIQ students.

Please join us in our important work. I will be stepping down from the role of chair at the end of this year, and we will be recruiting a new chair. If you would like to participate or take on a leadership position, please contact me at lorim@ku.edu.