What I offer...
You can expect my workshops to be:
- authentic
- interactive & conversational
- questions welcome and encouraged
- customized and tailored to the needs of each group
Inclusion, Equity and Justice Workshops
Beyond Cultural Competency: Moving Towards Cultural Humility & Responsiveness
- When I hear the term cultural competency, I think about having a checklist of how to treat someone who belongs to a certain identity group. I actually don't think it is that simple. In this workshop, we will discuss how to go deeper in our relationships. Questions that may emerge and be explored could include:
- How do we acknowledge systems of oppression in our work?
- How do our identities play out in conversations?
- How do we navigate these differences?
- How do we stay in conversations when our impact is different than our intention? How do we listen for and navigate the language people use for their identities instead of what we think is correct?
- How do we take risks to have more authentic conversations with people?
Diversity, Inclusion & Equity: It Takes All Three
A framework of diversity brings difference in the room, but often in name or "checkboxes" only. A framework of inclusion creates more space for the voices and presence of difference in conversations, and yet does little to ensure equity of access to the resources and supports available. Moving towards a framework that includes diversity, inclusion AND equity ensures justice and a brave new world for all. In this workshop, we will deconstruct these three crucial concepts and reassemble them to build a fully functional "three-legged stool" that all people can sit on without worry.
Unpacking White Supremacy Culture
Okun and Jones wrote a strong article on the characteristics of White Supremacy Culture. These characteristics are part of most companies and organizations. There are ways in which these characteristics are useful and ways that they are harmful. In this workshop, we will review the characteristics and have an honest conversation about how they show up in the workplace and in life. For those characteristics that don’t serve individuals or the organization well, we can brainstorm how to make changes that increase equity and inclusion.
Dreaming Forward Toward a More Equitable Future
What would happen if we dreamed together the world we want to live in and then made a plan to get there? What if we started being more proactive than reactive? In this interactive workshop we dream forward to a world where equity is present and then plan how to get there.
SOAR Analysis: DEI Focus
The SOAR Analysis tool is a strengths-based tool to look at your organization’s:
Strengths: What can we build on?Opportunities: What are our stakeholders asking for?Aspirations: What do we care deeply about?
Results: How do we know we are succeeding?
In this interactive workshop, the group will walk through each step of the SOAR analysis and think about the organizations work in equity and inclusion. We will use the information to brainstorm how move forward.
In this interactive workshop, the group will walk through each step of the SOAR analysis and think about the organizations work in equity and inclusion. We will use the information to brainstorm how move forward.
Series
- On-going conversations are the best way to learn deeply and make change. I would love to build a series for your organization so participants can go deeper into the work of inclusion, equity and justice.
- Some options:
- String together several of the offerings above
- Social justice series on the frameworks of social justice and the different "ism's"
LGBTQIA Workshops
LGBTQIA: The Basics
In this workshop, participants will learn not only about vocabulary, but also how to navigate language used in the LGBTQIA communities. Participants will learn how to debunk myths about bisexuality. They will also learn about gender identity and expression and the issues facing the transgender and gender non-binary communities.
Making Spaces Safer for Trans and Non-Binary Staff and Clients
People who are trans and gender non-binary have so much to navigate! What can you do to make your office as welcoming as possible? In this workshop we will go over some of the basics of the differences between birth assigned sex, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation. We will discuss how to navigate the ever-growing vocabulary that is being used and how to keep up and how to navigate when you make mistakes. We will also discuss how to make your environment and policies as friendly as possible. You will leave with resources to continue your learning.
Musings of a 60-Year-Old Genderqueer: History, Theory and Lessons Learned
I’m a child of the 60’s who grew up having to follow extremely strict rules around my gender expression and morality. In the mid-80’s, I came out as a lesbian while working for the international headquarters of my church. In the mid-90’s, I heard Leslie Feinberg, author of "Stone Butch Blues," speak and this opened the door for my exploration of my gender identity. During our time together, I will share some stories (and pictures) about my journey of self-discovery. I will weave in some LGBTQIA+ history and theory and leave time for questions and conversation. I will close with what I hope the future holds and how allies/co-conspirators can be part of the work to make that future possible.
Tips & Tools for Allyship
In this workshop, participants will explore the differences between being an ally and being in allyship to oppressed communities. They will deepen their understanding of the four components of allyship: awareness, education, skills and action. I will provide the awareness and education for the frameworks of allyship. Using the collective wisdom of the group, we will then brainstorm strategies to assess and sharpen our skills and put them into action.
Series - The Path to Allyship
The Stonewall riots started on June 28, 1969. This was not the beginning of people fighting for gay rights, and it was the springboard for the visibility of the movement. In 2021 the LGBTQIA communities are still fighting for non-discrimination policy on the national level and to stop bad and harmful legislation, like the ones in the Texas legislator this session.The LGBTQIA communities cannot do this work alone. We need people in allyship who will speak up and fight with us.
Being in allyship is a journey:
Awareness: becoming aware of the LGBTQIA communities and that there continues to be work to be done. What are the top issues facing the LGBTQIA communities? What is some of the fundamental history of the communities?Knowledge: learning the basics. What is the difference between sexual orientation, birth assigned sex, gender identity and gender expression? How do I navigate all the language used in the communities? How do I ask people what pronouns they use? Why should I share my pronouns? What do I do if I make a mistake? Skills: learning how to work beside members of the LGBTQIA communities. How do I intervene when you hear microaggressions? How do I advocate for better policies?
Action: taking the learning and putting it into action! What can I do on a daily basis? What are the best practices I should be promoting?
I would love to build a series of conversations for your organization that will bring your members on the path to allyship.
Custom Workshops
If you are looking for a workshop on a specific topic related to issues faced by LGBTQIA communities, cultural humility and responsiveness, DEI, and/or social justice frameworks, I would love to work with you. I can tailor topics to the needs of your particular organization and/or the populations you work with. In the past, I have developed workshops on LGBTQ healthcare, needs of trans people in homeless shelters and working with LGBTQIA youth in a variety of settings.