Bruff and Walden cases indicate that rigid referral positions toward LGBTQIQ clients can lead to employment termination. True or False?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not addressed
• D. It depends on the state

Answer: (A)

Respecting clients’ identities and ensuring access to competent care are central to counseling ethics. When a clinician adopts a rigid stance—refusing to treat LGBTQ clients or insisting on a referral pattern that effectively blocks care—their actions clash with those ethical commitments. Bruff and Walden are cited in ethics discussions as examples where such inflexible, non-affirming approaches led to termination or disciplinary consequences. The codes require nondiscrimination, beneficence, and competence; if a counselor cannot serve a client respectfully, the ethical path is to refer to an appropriate, affirming provider or seek supervision—not to impose a discriminatory barrier. Therefore, this statement is true: rigid referral positions toward LGBTQ clients can lead to employment termination because they violate fundamental professional duties.