As art therapists, we have an ethical imperative to provide culturally humble care and advocate for communities marginalized by systemic inequities or social exclusion.
Statement of Opposition of Kansas SB 233
Upon recent efforts by lawmakers to restrict gender-affirming access to Kansans aged 21 years and under, the Kansas Art Therapy Association has a duty to speak out against the harmful Kansas SB233 and similar drafts of legislation in Kansas and across the United States. Gender-affirming care encompasses many facets of healthcare including medical, surgical, non-surgical, mental health, and psychosocial services for transgender and and/or gender nonbinary (TGNB) individuals. This bill would take away life-saving resources from TGNB youth and young adults, which is especially concerning after data released from The Trevor Project, an American nonprofit organization focused on suicide prevention efforts among LGBTQIA+ youth, found that 54% of TGNB youth seriously considered suicide and 29% of TGNB youth attempted suicide in 2019 (The Trevor Project, 2020). The Kansas Art Therapy Association, along with other major medical and mental health organizations such as the American Medical Association (AMA), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Psychological Association (APA), believe that decisions regarding gender-affirming care should be decided upon by the TGNB individual, their parents/guardians (for TGNB youth), and their medical providers.
KATA Stance of George Floyd and BLM
Art therapists value inclusivity and hold paramount the worth and dignity of all members of our communities. The Kansas Art Therapy Association stands proudly with those who gather across our state and the nation to demand justice for Mr. George Floyd, his family, and the Minneapolis community, as well as for the innumerable victims of police brutality across the country. In the United States, victims of police brutality are disproportionately people of color. We echo the words of Governor Laura Kelly, "It's time that we listen to those voices in our marginalized communities, speak out against injustice and actively address the roots of these issues in our neighborhoods, our workplaces, and in our public institutions.
KATA Solidarity Statement
In light of recent events at this past year’s AATA conference, the Kansas Art Therapy Association (KATA) would like to take this time to reaffirm our belief in solidarity with those impacted by sexual, physical, verbal, and emotional assault/harassment and discrimination in our profession. KATA believes that all people, regardless of race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or any other identifiers deserve respect and safety. We believe that our colleagues in and out of our state deserve to be heard and protected.