UNDERSTANDING AND WORKING WITH LGBT YOUTH

Would you know what to say if a youth announced to you he/she is gay?  How do you deal with the teasing, bullying and harassment that centers on a youth’s sexual orientation? As a youth intervention worker, you often provide the only safe place a youth can turn to for help. How you respond can either change that youth’s life for the better or may have long-lasting negative effects. Do you have the knowledge and skills to help this youth? Are you ready?

This free-flowing training is intentionally designed to engage you and your peers in a frank discussion about this issue.  Here is your opportunity to ask what you’ve always wanted to ask and learn about this delicate, yet highly important issue facing many youth. The presenters bring first hand personal knowledge to the table and are skilled at addressing this multi-faceted issue.  At the end of the presentation, you will hear from LGBT youth and have the opportunity to ask them questions about their experiences.

The needs of LGBT youth have ramifications for every aspect of youth intervention. In addition to dropping out of school, the high degree of bullying and harassment reported by LGBT youth places them at risk for alcohol and substance abuse. Suicide thoughts are also reported among a significant number of LGBT youth. Nationally, between 20% and 40% of homeless youth identify as being LGBT. 

Especially vulnerable are LGBT youth who are homeless, runaways, living in foster care and/or involved in the juvenile justice system. They have fewer sources of support and multiple risk factors. LGBT youth are at risk for homelessness and running away as family conflict related to coming out or trying to hide their sexual orientation can make home life intolerable. 

Whether you are in law enforcement, juvenile justice, education, counseling or work in an out of school time program or shelter, this training will provide the knowledge and skills you needed to effectively address LGBT related issues in your work.

Course Objectives:

  • Develop an in-depth understanding of LGBT issues related to youth, both historical and in the current environment.
  • Help straight youth accept LGBT youth and abstain from bullying and harassment in and out of school
  • Help parents to better understand and respond to the needs of their LGBT child
  • Know what to do if a youth “comes out” to you
  • Learn how to have healthy conversations about sexual identity
  • Work with LGBT youth in building their resiliency or protective factors
  • Know when and how to seek help when needed when facing prejudice and discrimination
  • Become more aware of support resources specific to the needs of LGBT youth and how to access them

Speakers:

Tammy Aaberg lost her 15-year-old son Justin to suicide on July 9, 2010.  Six weeks after his death, she learned that at school Justin was a victim of bullying and harassment because he was gay. Since Justin’s death, in addition to establishing programs that empower LGBT youth, Tammy is making it her mission to tell Justin's story in order to let others know that much work remains to be done to make our schools and communities safer. This includes being actively involved in efforts supporting federal legislation that protects all students from bullying and harassment. In addition to meeting with various representative and senators, Tammy has testified before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and spoken at the Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention Summit with the U.S. Department of Education.  In recognition of Tammy’s efforts at the national, state and community level, she was invited to be part of Governor Mark Dayton’s recent announcement of establishing a Task Force on the Prevention of School Bullying.

Jefferson Fietek is a middle school teacher in the Anoka-Hennepin School District. He has been working on the national and local levels to create safe and inclusive schools for LGBTQ youth.  This includes being the founder of the district’s first middle school Gay Straight Alliance (G.S.A.), as well as being a key presenter at the first ever LGBTQ Safe School's Summit in Washington D.C..  He has been awarded the Ordway Center's Education Award for Community Commitment, Anoka-Hennepin District 11's TOP Teacher Award and was runner-up for the GLSEN's (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) National Teacher-of-the-Year.

Training Details: