Rainbow Resource Centre

LGBTTQ Awareness Training

This introductory session runs from 1.5 to 3 hours in length.

LGBTTQ* Awareness training provides general knowledge to individuals who wish to broaden their understanding of sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression. Participants will learn how to identify homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and heterosexism from a personal, social, cultural, and systemic framework.

This training session is appropriate for those who are seeking basic and general knowledge. It is highly recommended to complete a half-day Awareness Training prior to a Rainbow Resource Centre full-day Ally Training. Participants completing an LGBTTQ* Awareness training will:

• Be more familiar with definitions, terminology, culture and history
• Understand the differences and intersections between sex, gender and sexual orientation
• Identify the impacts of LGBTTQ* myths and stereotypes
• Know and identify homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and heterosexism
• Be more familiar with issues and barriers faced by children, adolescents, adults, and aging populations
• Learn how to adopt the various tools, strategies, and recommendations for affirming change

Participants will receive a certificate of completion indicating they have completed an LGBTTQ* Awareness Training through the Rainbow Resource Centre. It is highly recommended that all members of an education, social services and healthcare organization attend this session before taking Ally Training.

The method of instruction will comprise of lecture, personal reflection and group discussion.

LGBTTQ Ally Training

LGBTTQ* Ally training gears individuals to identify, speak out, and stand up for a person or group that is targeted and/or discriminated against based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. An ally works to end oppression by supporting and advocating for people who are stigmatized, discriminated, or treated unfairly because of who they are.

Allies are people who do not necessarily identify as an LGBTTQ* person (as all people can be an ally), but do support the LGBTTQ* community by standing up against homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and heterosexism so all people can live in a more affirming and safer environment, community, and society. Included will be the following:

• How to debunk myths and stereotypes of LGBTTQ* people and their families
• How to use appropriate language, and supportive and affirming communication
• Linking homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and heterosexism as systems of oppression
• How social, political, and health determinants and intersections affect the lives of LGBTTQ* people and their families
• How to be an effective advocate for systemic change
• How you can create a more supportive and affirming space, environment, and society for LGBTTQ* individuals and their families

Upon completing a minimum of 6.5 hours of Ally Training, individuals will receive a full colour Ally card that acknowledges completion of the training. .

This session is ideal for teachers, school administrators, counselors, therapists and business people who wish to expand their knowledge on the issues. The method of instruction will comprise of lecture, personal reflection and group discussion.

LGBTTQ Ally Training 2.0

Ally Training 2.0 delves deeper into the issues faced by LGBTTQQI individuals including minority stress, syndemics, social ecological frameworks and social determinants of health, and re-frames perceptions of what it means to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, Two-Spirit and queer. Case scenarios, interactive processing, communication tools and lived experiences may be included in a 2.0 session.  This session is ideal for those who have completed basic training and those who grasp understandings of sexual orientation, gender identity, homophobia and heterosexism.

Youth Educating Against Homophobia: Anti-homophobia presentations

Trained youth educators speak directly to students either by workshop or facilitating discussions on celebrating diversity as well as the impacts of homophobia on all people regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. This popular workshop has been delivered to students from elementary to high school senior levels. Using age appropriate teaching and learning modules, students will learn how to identify and combat school based bullying and discrimination, and how to be stronger role models for their peers and school community. Classroom presentations are 45 minutes to 1 hour in length.

To book a YEAH workshop, please click on the following link and submit a YEAH Workshop Request Form: www.rainbowresourcecentre.org/YEAH .

You can also contact Jared Star. YEAH Program Coordinator at yeah@rainbowresourcecentre.org, or by calling 204-474-0212, ext. 202.

Creating a Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) in Your School

As more students are feeling comfortable self disclosing their sexual orientation and gender identity (including heterosexual allied students with LGBTTQ friends and family), many of them are creating groups and clubs for support, safety and programming. Gay/Straight Alliances (GSAs) are becoming more common throughout Canada and the United States. Usually, GSAs are teacher supervised however it is the participants themselves that initiate and deliver the programming.

The Rainbow Resource Centre can speak to your school about:

• Understanding the purpose of a GSA
• Programming, networking and program ideas
• Understanding and identifying homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and heterosexism
• Identifying school bullying based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression
• How students can be more inclusive and avoid assumptions
• How students, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity, can become more open, aware and embracing of social differences
• How to respond to those who are not supportive of GSAs

The Rainbow Resource Centre provides cultural competence training on gender, gender identity, and gender expression. Issues relevant to transgender, transsexual, gender non-conforming individuals and families will be explored including how assumptions and stereotypes impacts and affects all people. The following gender series workshops include building capacity and embracing inclusivity through a gender lens perspective. Sessions also include the impact of homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and heterosexism on gender and gender identity. All gender trainings include:

• Language, terminology and definitions
• Gender identity development
• Issues of disclosure
• Health and safety concerns of trans people
• Adapting and recognizing gender inclusivity (human resources, public policy, service provision)
• Gender transition process in Manitoba

Gender Identity and Awareness Training

This introductory workshop can be delivered as a half day or full day session. This session is appropriate for healthcare providers, social service providers, teachers/education assistants/school administrators, and all other service providers working with trans people and their families and wish to broaden their understandings and build capacity. The delivery format includes lecture, small and large group discussion and personal reflection.

Gender Identity and Awareness Training for Social Service Providers

This session focuses on the role of social service providers as advocates for the needs and rights of trans people seeking holistic services. The session includes:

• How to utilize professional power and privilege to assist trans communities in navigating transphobia
• Exploring trans-positive counselling to individuals, couples, and families, particularly around the potentially vulnerable times around starting transition
• Assisting trans clients with practical tasks like documents (such as providing a letter of support for someone to start hormones, or assisting with a name change form), or navigating systems barriers (advocating with health care agencies, liaising with other providers)

Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Students in School Settings

This session is ideal for teachers, guidance counsellors, education assistants, school trustees, educational consultants, and support staff including before and after school staff. This specific session addresses the following:

• Understanding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression
• Recognizing and understanding the impact of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying
• Intersections of sexism, racism, and class
• Recognizing personal bias
• Creating a gender inclusive school environment (environment, policy, curricula)
• Pedagogical approaches in education
• How to be more aware and inclusive of LGBTTQ* issues
• Gender transition process in Manitoba

The following are a sampling of previous sessions tailored to address specific issues that affect sexual and gender minorities. Should you have an inquiry not already listed, please contact the Rainbow Resource Centre.

Welcoming LGBTTQ Newcomers, Immigrants and Refugees (for newcomer agencies, agencies working with newcomers, mental health professionals, healthcare professionals)

Gay and Bisexual Men, and Disordered Eating (for community healthcare centres, health care professionals, counsellors and therapists, mental health professionals, in-take and crisis workers, residential and shelter workers)

Pre Natal Issues and Challenges for Lesbian Mothers (for community healthcare centres, health care professionals, counsellors and therapists, mental health professionals)

Perpetuating the Phobias Within the LGBTTQ* Communities: Issues, Policies and Practice (for any organization or business that specifically serves the LGBTTQ* communities)

The Rainbow Resource Centre offers seminars to insurance agents and brokers as part of the Insurance Council of Manitoba annual continuing education credit hour requirement.

This seminar offers sensitivity and customer service training to employees who encounter same-sex couples seeking to purchase insurance, as well as those individuals seeking to amend their sex designation on their driver’s license. Understanding and sensitivity will enable providers to provide the highest quality customer service and service provision to all clients, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity. Issues addressed in this seminar include:

• Understanding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression
• Understanding the social, emotional impacts of homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and heterosexism and its effects on customer service delivery
• How staff can appropriately and sensitively deal with clients who identify as either gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or two-spirit
• How can your service be more inclusive from a human resources and service provision prospective

Benefits include:

• Greater staff sensitivity to same-sex couples inquiring or purchasing insurance
• Greater staff sensitivity to those who amend their sex identity on legal identification
• Greater staff sensitivity to those who may appear androgynous
• A better understanding of the gender reassignment process in Manitoba
• Owners will be able to identify how their business can be made more accessible, respectful, and embracing of social differences.

This seminar is appropriate for:

• Life Insurance Agents
• Accidental & Sickness-only Insurance Agents
• General Insurance Agents and Brokers
• Independent Insurance Adjusters
• Auto-Only Brokers

For more information about educational services, please call the Education Program Coordinator at 204-474-0212 ext. 201 or email: education@rainbowresourcecentre.org

The Rainbow Resource Centre appreciates opportunities to be part of your event by putting up a display or information booth. Please contact us a minimum of 2 weeks prior to your event.