RECOMMENDATION 7
Recommendation 7:
Comprehensive & ongoing training and capacity-building focused on supporting 2SLGBTQ+ youth, and challenging homo/bi/transphobia and racism.
The Problem:
Across Ontario, there is a lack of understanding about homo/bi/transphobia, racism, and how to support 2SLGBTQ+ youth.
The lack of understanding results in a lack of resources and supports, which also results in harm to 2SLGBTQ+ youth. Even non-profit organizations that say they support 2SLGBTQ+ individuals can perpetuate harm and misunderstandings.
Training on its own is not enough. But having a mandated baseline of education is an important start. To ensure that change is possible, capacity-building (continuous efforts) is needed. This capacity can take many forms, but it is important that 2SLGBTQ+ youth voices be prioritized.
Training and capacity-building must also be accompanied by organizational or community change. For organizations and institutions, it is important to take the time to review their practices, policies and approaches to understand how and where homo/bi/transphobia and racism are at play. Rather than simply inviting a 2SLGBTQ+ speaker once a year, organizations and institutions are encouraged to allocate resources to transforming their organizations.
Those who support youth are a broad group, including:
Individuals who provide direct services, such as counsellors (including guidance counsellors in schools), youth workers, case workers, nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, settlement workers, program facilitators
Anyone who interacts with 2SLGBTQ+ youth (such as reception staff) or who has a responsibility for programs or services (such as finance staff) even if they are not providing services.
Community leaders who are responsible to 2SLGBTQ+ youth, such as elected officials at all level of government, community advocates, Executive Directors and CEOs
Educators and staff who work in the education sector
In local settings, organizations and institutions seeking trainers should first look to 2SLGBTQ+ youth trainers. If 2SLGBTQ+ youth trainers are not present, 2SLGBTQ+ adults can be asked to lead training, with input from 2SLGBTQ+ youth.
What 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Are Saying
“I would make identification of pronouns upon personal introduction more popular, normalized, and prioritized.”
— Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ youth from Peterborough
“Queer educational workshops for staff in local businesses for rural areas”
— 2SLGBTQ+ youth in Northern Ontario
“Have open access lectures/events for straight and cis folks to learn”
— Agender 2SLGBTQ+ youth in Kitchener
“More lgbt people moderating these spaces with learned experience. Tired of heterosexuals and their weird voyeurism of the trans experience”
— 2SLGBTQ+ youth in a small town
“More education about queer/trans/two-spirited identities and the barriers they face”
— 2SLGBTQ+ youth in Orillia
Ideas to #DoBetter
Community teach-ins organized by grassroots 2SLGBTQ+ youth group. The teach-in is held online, to increase access. After the teach-in, community organizations reach out directly to the grassroots group to request additional capacity-building support.
Teacher education that integrates the need to challenge homo/bi/transphobia and racism. Mandatory training within teacher education (no matter what level, no matter what subjects), including a commitment to self-reflection.
Medical education integrates the impact of homo/bi/transphobia on 2SLGBTQ+ youth and adult health outcomes. Mandatory training within medical education (longer than the current 1 hour for some medical schools), including clinical rounds focused on how to better support 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Standard of care for trans health care is mandatory training.
Labour unions across the district commit to hosting ongoing professional development focused on the intersections of race, gender and sexuality. A combination of community trainers and internal trainers are invited to lead sessions.
Community advocacy group develops a tip sheet for 2SLGBTQ+ youth to use when meeting with counsellors or doctors for the first time. The tip sheet lists a number of questions to ask counsellors or doctors to determine their competency and familiarity in supporting 2SLGBTQ+ youth.
Town Council has an annual learning session with 2SLGBTQ+ youth, led by grassroots group(s). The learning session shares 2SLGBTQ+ youth needs, and results in all Council members sharing their pronouns at every meeting.
In the lead-up to elections, all candidates are asked to share how they will support 2SLGBTQ+ youth. Their answers are published in the local newspaper for public access.
School board undertakes a process of understanding how it supports 2SLGBTQ+ youth. An investigator (who is 2SLGBTQ+) is hired, who leads an engagement process to connect with 2SLGBTQ+ students (current and former). The results are shared publicly, as well as any commitments that the board makes.