Safe Spaces Training Module Part 4

Part IVInclusivity & Representation : 

Part IVInclusivity & Representation

Why? : 

Why? By making LGBTQ youth feel like outsiders, you could limit their willingness to access your resources, seek your services, get tested for STI’s and HIV, attend support groups, try to quit smoking with your cessation program, volunteer to outreach. . .

Objectives for Inclusivity and Representation : 

Objectives for Inclusivity and Representation To better understand how diversity, inclusion, and representation play out in your organization To initiate a process of assessing your agency on four levels of inclusivity and representation Environment Personnel Interactions Resources

Slide 5: 

While language is one of the first steps in making spaces safer for LGBTQ youth, sometimes actions speak louder than words, right?

Slide 6: 

Inclusivity Inclusion is being a part of what everyone else is, being welcomed and embraced as a member who belongs (Kids Together, Inc) Diversity A broad term encompassing all of the ways that we human beings are both similar and different.  It involves variations in factors we control as well as those over which we have no choice. (Managing Diversity, Gardenswartz and Rowe) Representation Who’s presence is valued and who’s voice is heard. Race Socio-Economic Status Gender Sexual Orientation Ability Education-level Geographic Origin Ethnicity & Culture Age Language Lifestyle Religion

4 General Areas : 

4 General Areas Environment Personnel Interactions Resources

Environment : 

Environment Physical Space Accessibility Confidentiality Gender Neutral Bathrooms Open Door Policy A Greeter at the door

Environment : 

Environment Art Posters Media – Magazines, films, books Pamphlets and Literature

Personnel : 

Personnel Are you asking the right questions? What are the right questions?

Personnel : 

Personnel How diverse would you consider the staff at your agency? What does your agency do to encourage people of diverse backgrounds to apply? Is diversity represented across all staff levels, including manager positions?

Personnel : 

Personnel How do staff members treat one another? How is respect maintained? How do staff members act towards guests and/or participants?

Personnel : 

Personnel Does your organization support or give trainings or workshops around Diversity trainings Cultural awareness Cultural competency Critical thinking

Interactions : 

Interactions How does your organization interact with clients? those seeking services? youth participants? How do participants treat one another? Are these governed in your policies and procedures manual?

Interactions : 

Interactions Intakes and information gathering Demographic questions Inclusion of varying sexualities and gender identities Non-Discriminatory Policies Lambda Legal, “Basic LGBTQ Policies, Training and Services for Child Welfare Agencies”

Interactions : 

Interactions How are interactions amongst participants handled? Organizational Culture Conflict mediation Discussion groups Facilitation Peer to peer communication and interaction Importance of allies, youth leaders, and responsible adults

Interactions : 

Interactions How are interactions amongst participants handled? Organizational Culture Conflict mediation Discussion groups Facilitation Peer to peer communication and interaction Importance of allies, youth leaders, and responsible adults What methods would for your agency and/or space? Between Staff? Between Youth and Staff? Between Youth?

Resources : 

Resources Advocates for Youth Lesson Plans on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Resources : 

Resources

Representation Resources : 

Representation Resources Links to lists of LGBTQ inclusive Movies Books Literature Music Magazines Links to biographies and features on famous LGBTQ Artists Activists Musicians Writers/Poets

Slide 21: 

1638 R Street NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20009 Phone 800.541.6922 Web http://www.nyacyouth.org Email nyac@nyacyouth.org

Slide 22: 

Questions? Jennie Beeson, Program Associate jennie@nyacyouth.org 800.541.6922 x.12