Recent legislation and orders in the state of Texas from Governor Greg Abbott targeting transgender youth is completely antithetical to and against the American School Counselor Association’s(ASCA) Code of Ethics for School Counselors. The 2022 ASCA Annual Conference is currently scheduled to be held in Austin, TX in July 2022. This petition seeks to implore ASCA to consider changing the location of this conference in protest of and to not support a state that openly discriminates and puts youth’s safety and well-being in danger.

The most recent order from Mr. Abbott puts educators, such as school counselors, in a space to be held criminally responsible if we become aware that a transgender youth is receiving gender confirming care and do not report it as child abuse. This is in direct conflict with ASCA’s guidance and position on supporting transgender youth and puts school counselors at risk.

ASCA should abide by its code of ethics and not hold a conference or support a state economy that is in direct conflict with all that school counselors stand for.

Sources:

ASCA Position Statement-Transgender and Gender-nonconforming Youth 

NY Times Article-Gov. Abbott Order