Ethics and Equity in Care: Recognizing and Eliminating Disparities in Access to Care for LGBTQIA+ Populations

Ethics and Equity in Care: Recognizing and Eliminating Disparities in Access to Care for LGBTQIA+ Populations

Date: June 15, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:15 PM ET
Format: Live Virtual Training
CEs: 3 Category I Ethics CEs

Providing ethical, equitable, and culturally responsive care requires social workers to understand the unique barriers many LGBTQIA+ individuals face when accessing behavioral health, healthcare, and social services. As awareness grows and demand for affirming services increases, social workers have an ethical responsibility to strengthen their knowledge, challenge misconceptions, and address disparities that impact client outcomes.

Join us for this timely and engaging workshop exploring the intersection of ethics, health equity, and culturally responsive care for LGBTQIA+ populations. Participants will examine how individual, systemic, and legislative factors contribute to disparities in access to care and explore evidence-based strategies for creating affirming and supportive treatment environments.

Through practical discussion and real-world examples, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the social determinants of health, barriers to care, and ethical considerations that influence service delivery for LGBTQIA+ communities.

What You'll Learn:

• Explore the ethical implications of health, behavioral health, and social disparities affecting LGBTQIA+ populations

• Examine how family systems, social support networks, and broader policy environments impact access to care

• Identify common trends, challenges, and misconceptions related to LGBTQIA+ behavioral health needs

• Understand how affirming, evidence-based care can improve treatment engagement and outcomes

• Apply practical strategies for creating inclusive and supportive care environments

• Strengthen approaches to care coordination, community collaboration, and addressing social determinants of health

This training will help participants build greater cultural humility and develop practical skills to support ethical decision-making and equitable service delivery.

Presenter: Lee Westgate, MSW, MBA, LCSW-C

Lee Westgate is a social work advocate, educator, and clinician with extensive experience in social work policy, practice, research, and leadership. His professional background includes medical social work in oncology, critical care, integrated behavioral health, and work with LGBTQIA+ populations.

Lee has participated in national initiatives focused on trauma-informed practice, ethics, HIV education, behavioral health, and health equity, including work with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the University of Maryland School of Social Work, and regional AIDS Education and Training Centers. His scholarship and teaching focus on integrated behavioral health, healthcare policy, chronic illness, addiction, LGBTQIA+ health, and health equity.

A highly regarded educator, Lee has received numerous teaching and professional awards, including the Dean's Teaching Award, the Innovation in Social Work Award, and the Camara Jones Faculty Award. His work has been published in multiple professional journals and industry publications.

Please Note: This workshop qualifies for the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners' 3-hour ethics requirement for license renewal.

Registration Fees:

• Members: $50

• Non-Members: $75

• Retired Members: $30

• Student Members: $20

Join us to strengthen your ethical practice, deepen your cultural humility, and explore practical strategies for advancing equity in care for LGBTQIA+ communities.

Register today!