Creating a Culture of Respect for Gender and Sexual Diversity

DESCRIPTION

Hosted by the Family Resilience Project with support fromMinistry of Human Services, City of Edmonton, United Way of Alberta Capital Region, and REACH Edmonton

The Calgary Sexual Health Centre (CSHC)and the Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA) partnered to conduct an environmental scan focused on understanding healthy relationship support for newcomers. The results of the environmental scan are outlined in the final report “Courage to Begin”: Building Capacity of Immigrant Service Providers and Sexual Health. The results of the research found that sexual health is an important area of work for the settlement and integration sector. Both frontline practitioners and senior leaders within immigrant serving organizations identified that issues related to sexual health and LGBTQ identities emerge in their practice. To respond to this, staff need to have the requisite comfort and skill to support these clients.

Since this scan, we have worked to develop curriculum that is relevant and appropriate for staff within immigrant serving organizations and also for front line staff in non-immigrant organizations who work with immigrants and newcomers. We have evaluated these workshops and have seen very positive outcomes related to service providers reporting increased comfort and skill around LGBTQ identities, increased understanding of resources available to support clients from the LGBTQ community, and a willingness to integrate sexual health into practice with clients.

In this workshop we will build on the concepts identified in the “Courage to Begin” report and we will discuss the root causes of homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and heterosexism. We will examine how personal values about sexuality may help or hinder our abilities to work with diverse clients. The workshop will create a safe, respectful environment for participants to work through scenarios and challenges that they, or their organizations may be facing in regards to inclusive practices. Participants will leave with practical strategies for creating a safer, more inclusive, and respectful work environment. They will also learn about additional community resources and referrals.

Agenda

9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Creating a Culture of Respect for Gender and Sexual Diversity Workshop

12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.: Networking Lunch

1:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.: Facilitated Discussion/Needs Assessment