PRIDE TRAINING:

CREATING INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTS FOR WORKING WITH YOUTH

Leo Kattari, MSW Colorado Youth Matter

Disclosure Statement

• There are no conflicts of interest or restrictions (including off-label use disclosure) related to this presentation and/or related materials Leo Kattari, MSW CASBHC 2013 Annual Conference May 2, 2013

Introductions

• Name • What do you do?

• Preferred pronoun (masculine, feminine, gender neutral) • What do you hope to get out of this workshop?

Dialogue Guidelines

• P articipate • R espect • O pen and honest communication • C onfidentiality • E xperiment with new ideas/ challenge assumptions • S eek to understand or agree to disagree • S tep forward/step back *No experts!

Review of Terminology

Alphabet Soup:

The Power of Language

• 86% Verbally harassed.

• 44% Physically harassed.

• 61% Feel unsafe at school.

• 22% Report being physically assaulted.

GLSEN and Harris Interactive (2012). Playgrounds and Prejudice: Elementary School Climate in the United States, A Survey of Students and Teachers. New York: GLSEN

What have you heard about the term

Queer Umbrella

• Encompasses various sexual orientations and gender identities.

• Originated as a derogatory term, has been reclaimed.

• Not everyone uses the term (can depend on age, background, geographic region, etc).

• Some folks do identify as queer.

Sexual Orientation & Sexual Identity

•

Sexual Orientation:

• Emotional and physical attraction and expression of that attraction • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Straight, etc •

Sexual Identity:

• • How a person identifies their own sexual orientation I am… straight, queer, bi, gay, etc •

Identity, orientation and behavior may not always be congruent

• Homophobia, labels don’t tell all, etc

GenderWHAT?!

What messages have you received about what it means to be a boy or a girl?

Beyond the Box

BOYS:

Tough Strong Don’t show emotion Good with Technology Angry Assertive Athletic Can fix things Smart – Math/Science

GIRLS:

Docile Nurturing/Caring Good at cooking/cleaning Emotional Care-takers Weak Can’t be assertive Helpless Pretty/Beautiful

Experiences of Gender Non-Conforming Youth

• More likely to be called names, made fun of or bullied • 64% verbally harassed • 27% physically harassed • Twice as likely to have mean rumors spread about them • 13% assaulted • Three times more likely to be cyber bullied • 62% do not report incidents in school because they don’t think action will be taken or things will get worse • Less likely to feel safe at school • More likely to not go to school because of fear.

• 34% of students who do report say nothing happen in response.

• •

GLSEN and Harris Interactive (2012). Playgrounds and Prejudice: Elementary School Climate in the United States, A Survey of Students and Teachers. New York: GLSEN Kosciw, J. G., Greytak, E. A., Diaz, E. M., and Bartkiewicz, M. J. (2010). The 2009 National School Climate Survey: The experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth in our GLSEN.

nation’s schools. New York:

Sex does not equal Gender

• Biological Sex • Gender Identity • Gender Expression •

Sexual Orientation is NOT Gender Identity.

Image credit: www.itspronouncedmetrosexual.com

Stars Activity

What You Can Do

Image credit: www.everybodysgood.com

You Can Influence Change

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. (2012). Youth Sexual Health in Colorado: A Call to Action. Denver, CO

Policies & Systems

• Non-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression at all levels (federal, state, local, organizational).

• DOMA & Prop 8 type laws.

• Hate crime laws and prevention.

• Bullying prevention laws and policies.

• Homelessness policies and shelter policies.

Community

• Inclusive forms (preferred name, preferred pronouns, fill in options for sexual orientation and gender).

• Gender neutral bathrooms and locker rooms. • Develop an internal guidelines for staff and youth who come out as transgender/plan on transitioning.

• Create inclusive signs and other marketing materials.

• Hire LGBTIQ staff or don’t encourage LGBTIQ staff to be closeted.

• Train staff on LGBTIQ inclusivity (and youth).

• Make sure all youth feel safe by promoting safety, respect and a clear and consistent system for preventing and responding to bullying, discrimination and abusive behaviors.

• Convene a group of young people who want to address inclusivity and acceptance.

Family and Relationships

• Not all parents/families are accepting of their LGBTIQ children. Be a blue star.

• Educate yourself about what’s happening in LGBTIQ communities and how you can support them as an ally.

• Being LGBTIQ is just one piece of that person’s identity (think of your pie chart).

• Advocate and vote for leaders who support ALL youth.

• Meet with local agencies, organizations and elected officials.

• Ask ALL colleagues and youth you work with for preferred name and preferred pronouns.

• Avoid labels and assumptions.

• Remember the difference between identity and behavior.

• Respect identities, even if they don’t fit your perceptions.

• Talk openly with your supervisor and colleagues about how the organization can improve on LGBTIQ inclusivity .

• Call out LGBTIQ-phobic remarks as soon as you hear them.

All Young People Deserve :

• To learn about various sexual and gender identities.

• A safe and supportive environment.

• To have a trusted and askable adult in their life.

• Access to resources that are free from stigma and shame.

• To be confident and comfortable with who they are.

Ignite Boulder – That’s so gay

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxs78C3XGok

Thank YOU!

ASK ME QUESTIONS: Leo Kattari

Training and Education Manager

Colorado Youth Matter

[email protected]

Did you enjoy this workshop? Please consider donating to Colorado Youth Matter to ensure more people receive this important information!

www.coloradoyouthmatter.org/donate