Now more than ever before, young people are identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning or something other than cisgender and/or heterosexual.1 In order to best serve LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults and ameliorate their unique challenges, it is imperative that human service providers, educators, and supportive adults begin to understand how gender and sexuality are evolving, and how they too experience acculturation and socialization around these concepts. It is equally as important that they understand the connection between adopting an evolving framework of gender and sexuality and the improvement of educational and social outcomes for LGBTQIA+ youth in their classrooms and programs.

Training Objectives:
In Any Which Way You Go: Exploring Our Relationships to Gender Identity and Human Sexuality, trainees will: 

• Recall the importance of establishing co-created, intentional, and mutually agreeable rules of engagement we call community invitations 
• Learn and practice asking for names and Personal Gender Pronouns (PGPs) 
• Rehearse a strategy for reducing harm when the wrong gender pronoun is used for a student and/or program participant 
• Review terms and definitions related to gender identity and human sexuality 
• Compare and contrast a traditional gender model and an expansive gender model 
• Examine and discuss our own personal gender associations 
• Review the HMI Human Sexuality Model

In his 2016 op-ed for The Guardian, journalist and activist Tiq Milan purported that the increased visibility of transgender celebrities did not and will not necessitate safety for all trans people. He further posited that a ‘trans backlash’, or spike in violence towards transgender people, would ensue if the focus of movement work didn’t shift from celebrity to justice and liberation.

Unfortunately, Tiq’s forecasting proved to be true for both transgender folks as well as other members of the LGBTQIA+ community.  There has been a pronounced increase of verbal and physical assaults on LGBTQIA+ people, including youth and young adults, in communities across the nation—even in seemingly progressive metropolitan areas like New York City.

As such, it is imperative youth service providers recognize their responsibility in cultivating safer spaces, or environments that are intentional in healing the harm experienced by LGBTQIA+ youth through education and empowerment.

Training Objectives:
In Creating Safer and More Inclusive Environments for LGBTQIA+ Youth, participants will:

• Recall the importance of establishing co-created, intentional, and mutually agreeable rules of engagement we call community invitations 
• Reorient with the gender pronoun recognition tool, ‘Name + Personal Gender Pronouns (PGPs)
• Rehearse a strategy for reducing harm when the wrong gender pronoun is used for a student and/or program participant
• Compare and contrast participants notions of safety and safer spaces
• Review up-to-date data on LGBTQIA+ youth mental health and educational outcomes
• Complete and discuss individual and organizational LGBTQIA+ youth support readiness assessments
• Review HMI Best Practices for supporting LGBTQIA+ youth
• Practice using tools and strategies for creating safer spaces with other participants
• Questions & Answers

LGBTQIA+ youth are navigating a world where their rights, safety, and well-being are under unprecedented attack. Brave Spaces: Supporting LGBTQIA+ Youth in a Shifting World is a dynamic, solutions-focused workshop designed for educators, advocates, and anyone committed to standing with LGBTQIA+ youth in this critical moment.

This workshop is meant to be a call to action. We’ll confront the harsh realities of anti-LGBTQ+ policies, amplify the resilience of queer and trans youth, and equip you with concrete tools to create spaces where they can thrive. Whether you’re pushing back against discriminatory laws, supporting a young person facing rejection, or simply asking, “How can I do better?”, this workshop will meet you where you are and help you take meaningful steps forward.

This workshop includes:

• An overview of the current political climate and its impact on LGBTQIA+ youth, including anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, shifts in social attitudes, and media representation.
• Exploration of key challenges, such as legislative barriers, mental health disparities, school environments, family rejection, and intersectional identities.
• Strategies and best practices for validating, affirming, and empowering LGBTQIA+ youth, including how to foster allyship and address backlash.
• Practical tools for creating inclusive environments, with examples of small but meaningful actions.
• Resource sharing, including organizations and up-to-date information for continued learning and support.

Explore the frameworks of compassionate advocacy and effective support with our workshop, “Using a Strengths-Based Approach for Allies Working with LGBTQ Youth.” This workshop is more than just a learning opportunity; it’s a call to action. We believe that every LGBTQ youth deserves a network of allies who understand, uplift, and empower them, and this workshop will equip you with the tools and mindset to be that crucial ally.

Training Objectives:

In this workshop, we will delve into the transformative power of a strengths-based approach, a philosophy that recognizes and amplifies the unique strengths and potential of LGBTQ youth. Through engaging activities and in-depth discussions, you will:

• Explore the fundamentals of a strengths-based approach and how it can positively impact the experiences of LGBTQ youth.
• Learn effective communication techniques and active listening skills to better understand and address the unique needs of LGBTQ youth.
• Acquire practical strategies for creating safe spaces, promoting mental health, and fostering resilience within the LGBTQ youth community.
• Gain insights into the specific challenges LGBTQ youth may face, such as discrimination, mental health concerns, and the coming-out process.

Discover the unique and transformative role of youth workers in our workshop titled “Youth Workers as Bridges.” This workshop is a catalyst for change, a platform to explore the vital role of youth workers as connectors between LGBTQIA+ youth and their families. We believe in the power of forging bridges that strengthen families, nurture young identities, and foster understanding.

In this workshop, we will explore the pivotal role that youth workers can play in building bridges of understanding and acceptance within families and the broader community. Join us in this transformative journey towards creating a world where LGBTQIA+ youth and their families can thrive together, harmoniously embracing diversity and love.

Training Objectives:

Through interactive sessions and heartfelt discussions, you will:

• Explore the concept of youth workers as bridges and understand their influence in connecting young people to resources and opportunities.
• Explore the challenges and experiences of LGBTQIA+ youth
• Learn effective strategies for building trusting relationships with youth and their caregivers, creating a safe space for open communication and support.
• Acquire practical tools for facilitating skill development, emotional well-being, and resilience among young individuals.

Recent observations highlight the imperative for youth workers to engage LGBTQIA+ youth with a sex-positive mindset, recognizing that holistic sexual health education is crucial for their overall well-being. Embracing a sex-positive approach not only empowers youth workers but also contributes to the creation of inclusive and supportive spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals.

In our workshop, “Empowering Futures: Navigating Sex Positivity with LGBTQIA+ Youth”, we go beyond the basic understanding of sex positivity by incorporating best practices for fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

This workshop includes opportunities to:

• Explore the principles of sex positivity and understand its importance in fostering a healthy and affirming environment for LGBTQIA+ youth.
• Reflect on current sexual health education practices and our own experiences with such.
• Acquire tools for open and non-judgmental communication about sex and relationships, fostering trust and understanding with LGBTQIA+ youth.
• Learn strategies to integrate sex-positive practices within youth programs, ensuring that all LGBTQIA+ youth feel valued, respected, and supported. 

In the Summer of 2020, through Black Lives Matter and Pride month, more of us learned that the intersections of gender, sexuality, and race truly affect our experiences with the systems of oppression around us. LGBTQIA+ youth of color and transgender teenagers experience unique challenges and elevated stress, and according to the Human Rights Campaign, only 11% of youth of color believe their racial/ ethnic group is regarded positively in the U.S. Research from True Colors United shows that when considering that Black youth have an 83% higher risk of experiencing homelessness than youth of other races, it’s clear that youth homelessness is one of the many issues that are compounded by race, sexuality and gender identity. In Kimberlé Crenshaw’s words, let’s work together to ensure that no one “falls through the cracks of our movements.” Through reflecting on our own intersectional identities, privileges, and marginalizations, we can better serve LGBTQIA+ youth with multiple intersecting identities.

Training Objectives:

In Beyond Boundaries: Empowering Youth Workers through Intersectional Understanding, trainees will:

• Define intersectionality and explain why it is important to consider
• Listen to people’s lived experiences with reflections afterwards
• Review methods of how to talk to youth about intersectionality, including lesson plans
• Understanding structural inequity/ systems of interlocking oppressions
• Identify barriers that people of many identities may face in participating in your service

Understanding and empathizing with trans identities and experiences is crucial for creating a world where everyone can live authentically and without fear of discrimination. Our workshop, “Transparency Talk: Demystifying Trans Identities and Experiences” offers enlightening discussions and open conversations to debunk myths and broaden perspectives on transgender identities, emphasizing empathy, understanding, and inclusion. We believe that knowledge is a powerful tool for breaking down barriers and fostering empathy, and that’s precisely what we aim to achieve through this enlightening conversation.

By the end of this workshop, you will not only have a clearer understanding of trans identities but also the tools and empathy to contribute to more accepting and inclusive spaces. Join us in this transformative conversation and be a part of the change towards demystifying and empowering trans identities and experiences.

This workshop includes:

• Candid conversations that dismantle stereotypes and misconceptions.
• Foundational knowledge about what it means to be transgender, including terminology, identities, and the spectrum of gender.
• Exploration of the diverse spectrum of transgender identities.
• Insightful global narratives shared by transgender individuals.
• Practical strategies for creating inclusive environments for transgender individuals.

Understanding that LGBTQ identities are not a modern phenomenon but a rich and diverse part of human history across all cultures is crucial for supporting the well-being of queer and trans youth today. Our workshop, “Rooted in Resilience: A Global History of LGBTQ Identities” offers a journey through time and across continents to explore the vibrant spectrum of gender and sexuality that has always existed. We believe that knowledge of our collective past is a powerful tool for combating isolation, building resilience, and fostering true inclusion, and that’s precisely what we aim to provide through this transformative session.

By the end of this workshop, you will not only have a broader, more accurate understanding of LGBTQ history but also the practical tools and historical context to create affirming spaces where all youth can see their stories reflected and their identities validated. Join us in this essential conversation and be a part of the change towards a more informed, empathetic, and global approach to LGBTQ youth work.

This workshop includes:

• Candid conversations that dismantle the myth that queerness is a “Western import” and explore the global roots of LGBTQ identities.
• Foundational knowledge about pre-colonial and indigenous queer frameworks, such as Two-Spirit, Muxe, and Hijra identities, and how colonialism sought to erase them.
• Exploration of hidden histories, recovering the stories of LGBTQ figures and movements that have been censored from mainstream narratives.
• Insightful historical and global narratives that connect past struggles for queer liberation to modern-day advocacy and resilience.
• Practical strategies for incorporating these diverse histories into your everyday youth work, from counseling and mentoring to program design and curriculum.