PRIDE TRAINING: Creating inclusive environments for working with youth

1. PRIDE TRAINING: Creating inclusive environments for working with youth Leo Kattari, MSW Colorado Youth Matter

2. 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

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

4. Dialogue Guidelines • Participate • Respect • Open and honest communication • Confidentiality • Experiment with new ideas/ challenge assumptions • Seek to understand or agree to disagree • Step forward/step back *No experts!

5. Review of Terminology Alphabet Soup:

6. 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

7. What have you heard about the term

8. 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.

9. 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

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

11. 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

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

14. Sex does not equal Gender • Biological Sex • Gender Identity • Gender Expression • Sexual Orientation is NOT Gender Identity.

15. Image credit: www.itspronouncedmetrosexual.com

16. Stars Activity

17. What You Can Do Image credit: www.everybodysgood.com

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

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. Ignite Boulder – That’s so gay • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxs78C3XGok

24. Thank YOU! ASK ME QUESTIONS: Leo Kattari Training and Education Manager Colorado Youth Matter Lkattari@coloradoyouthmatter.org Did you enjoy this workshop? Please consider donating to Colorado Youth Matter to ensure more people receive this important information! www.coloradoyouthmatter.org/donate