As a person who has gone through counseling, I was confident that whatever I told my counselor would stay between us. But this will no longer be true if Tennessee Republicans have their way. They're trying to pass a law that requires all school counselors to report students to their parents if they even suspect they might be LGBT. As a person who has struggled with feeling gay in the past, I can't tell you how comforting it was to know it would all be said in confidence. Not only does this bill destroy the counseling profession's rule of therapist-patient confidentiality, it puts young people in danger. I hate to say this, but I'm beginning to think Republicans are basically trying to make a political and/or religious point at the expense of potentially putting our youth in harm's way.
To any counselors who might read this blog: could you live with yourself if you comply with this law, knowing that a child could be kicked out of his or her home, ostracised, or in the most extreme case killed? Any school counselor who complies with this law can no longer call themselves a counselor.
Don't be afraid to stand up for the safety of your students and the integrity of your profession. Peacefully disobey this law.
No comments:
Post a Comment