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CAMFT affirms our support of marriage equality, a value first stated by CAMFT in 2009 which is rooted in the dignity and rights of all LGBTQPIA2S+ individuals, including the right to marry.
The CAMFT Board of Directors stands in opposition to discrimination based on identity and/or gender, expression, sexual orientation, and/or marital status. We unequivocally uphold marriage equality. This statement is more than just a policy; it is a recognition of love in all its diverse forms. By supporting marriage equality, the CAMFT Board of Directors honors and welcomes all families. We recognize that families come in many beautiful forms, and we are committed to supporting and celebrating this diversity. Our dedication to fostering an inclusive and accepting environment reflects our belief in the fundamental principle that everyone deserves the right to love and be loved, and to have their relationships respected and valued.
As Marriage and Family Therapists, we know that social and systemic issues impact individual mental wellness and overall health. The CAMFT Board of Directors is committed to raising awareness about the impact of social and systemic issues on mental well-being and emphasizing the importance of culturally responsive training for mental health clinicians. (See CAMFT's Social Policy Statements).
A multitude of studies over decades show that discrimination, including LGBTQPIA2S+ discrimination and bigotry, is linked to increased stress, and that facing social stress often results in higher instances of mental health struggles (Brandt, et al., 2022; Moagi, et al., 2021; Kates, et al., 2016; Hatzenbuehler et al., 2010). Legislation that denies rights to LGBTQ+ people perpetuates stigma and reinforces prejudices that exacerbate social stressors, which can lead to poorer health outcomes and reduced access to care (NACDD, 2023; Rostosky et al., 2009).
The LGBTQPIA2S+ community must be able to live and thrive with equal rights and protections. We will continue to advocate for all members of the LGBTQPIA2S+ community’s fundamental rights, including the right to marry.
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Any correspondence or inquiries regarding CAMFT Social Policy Statements should be addressed to communications@camft.org.
References Brandt L, Liu S, Heim C, Heinz A. The effects of social isolation stress and discrimination on mental health. Transl Psychiatry. 2022 Sep 21;12(1):398. doi: 10.1038/s41398-022-02178-4. PMID: 36130935; PMCID: PMC9490697.
Hatzenbuehler ML, McLaughlin KA, Keyes KM, Hasin DS. The impact of institutional discrimination on psychiatric disorders in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: a prospective study. Am J Public Health. 2010 Mar;100(3):452-9. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2009.168815. Epub 2010 Jan 14. PMID: 20075314; PMCID: PMC2820062.
Kates, J., Ranji, U., Beamesderfer, A., Salganicoff, A., & Dawson, L. (2016). Health and access to care and coverage for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals in the U.S. Retrieved from http://kff.org/report-section/health-and-access-to-care-and-coverage-for-lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-health-challenges/
Moagi MM, van Der Wath AE, Jiyane PM, Rikhotso RS. Mental health challenges of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people: An integrated literature review. Health SA. 2021 Jan 20;26:1487. doi: 10.4102/hsag.v26i0.1487. PMID: 33604059; PMCID: PMC7876969.
National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD), (2023, June). Impact brief: Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation will widen the gaps in health outcomes and accessibility to care. Accessed at https://chronicdisease.org/anti-lgbtq-legislation-will-widen-the-gaps-in-health-outcomes-and-accessibility-to-care/.
Rostosky, S. S., & Riggle, E. D. B. (2011). Marriage Equality for Same-Sex Couples: Counseling Psychologists as Social Change Agents. The Counseling Psychologist, 39(7), 956-972. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000011398398