If not now, then when? Social work educators, cis-supremacist legislation, and the question of professional obligation

The US is experiencing a wave of legislation seeking to limit the rights and autonomy of transgender and nonbinary (TNB) people across multiple domains, even attempting to cease the legal recognition of TNB people altogether. Social work is committed to social justice. However, the profession has been largely silent in the face of these legislative attacks. This article utilizes an anonymous survey to examine social work educators’ understanding of this legislation and the profession’s role in response. The vast majority of respondents believe the profession, including professional organizations (95 percent, n = 155) and schools (93 percent, n = 153), has an ethical duty to act. Concrete strategies are needed to guide schools of social work in addressing cis-supremacist legislation within the classroom, as well as at the local, state, and national levels. We call on social work’s professional organizations to denounce cis-supremacy, collaborate on an evidence-informed statement, and call members to action.