The document discusses oppression, privilege, and cultural norms as they relate to the LGBTQ community. It defines key terms like oppression, privilege, and cultural imperialism. It also defines terms within the LGBTQ community like biological sex, gender, transgender, and sexual orientation. The document outlines issues and risks LGBTQ students face like double stigma, shame, harassment, and higher rates of suicide attempts. It stresses the importance of promoting resiliency for LGBTQ students by understanding social structures, examining one's own beliefs, being culturally competent, and creating an inclusive climate where all students feel valued and supported.

3. PART I:
Understanding Socialization &
Cultural Norms

4. ● variety or difference; the fact
or quality of being diverse
● with people – often refers to
cultural diversity
Diversity

5. Who Are You?

6. Stereotype, Prejudice, &
Discrimination

7. Oppression & Power
“The prejudice and discrimination of one
social group against another, backed by
institutional power. Oppression occurs when
one group is able to enforce its prejudice and
discrimination throughout society because it
controls the institutions” (Sensoy & DiAngelo, 2012,
40).
Categories of Oppression:
•exploitation
•marginalization
•powerlessness
•cultural imperialism
•violence

8. “Privilege exists when one group has
something of value that is denied to
others simply because of the groups
they belong to, rather than because
of anything they’ve done or failed to
do” (Johnson, 2006, 21).
Privilege
“A systematically conferred
dominance and the institutional
processes by which the beliefs and
values of the dominant group are
‘made normal” and universal. The
key criterion is social and institutional
power” (Sensoy & DiAngelo, 2012, 57).

9. PART II:
WHOMakes up the LGBTQ Community

10. ● Because all stigmatized groups face unique problems &
challenges
● Because these problems & challenges can have a lot to do
with their mental health & mental illness
● Because if we understand these problems & challenges we
can help our students understand & address them
● Because they’re key to real understandings & solutions
● Because no doing so means students remain at risk for
relapse for both psychiatric symptoms & substance abuse
Why Even talk about sexuality &
gender identity?

11. L- Lesbian
G- Gay
B- Bisexual
T-Transgender
T-Transsexual
T-Two Spirited
Q- Queer
Q- Questioning
What does LGBTQ mean?

12. ● Different terms in different communities
● Terms are always changing
● Self definition
● In group/out group words
Terms and Definitions

13. Biological Sex – refers to your biological make-up, either male
or female.
Gender – social construction of biological sex.
• “I was born a baby, not a boy.” –Janet Mock
•Transgender and Genderqueer – these identities do not always
have to do with sexual orientation.
Definitions to Understand

14. Homophobia means a "fear of or contempt for homosexuality or
homosexuals" or the fear of becoming homosexual.
Heterosexism describes the presumption that everyone is
heterosexual & that heterosexuality is the norm.
Most “ism’s” are learned and not intentional.
Definitions to Understand

15.  “Homosexual Lifestyle” or “Gay Lifestyle” – These phrases tend to trivialize sexual
orientation.
 “Sexual/Gender Identity Confusion” – These terms should not be used to describe
conflict or ambivalence about sexual orientation.
 “Sexual Preference” – Sexual orientation is a complex bio-psycho-social phenomenon,
not merely a preference, such as preferring red wine to white wine. This would imply
choice, and there is evidence to support the fact that sexual orientation is an inherent
quality of everyone’s being.

16. Respect how people choose to name themselves.
Remember that you are human and you will make
mistakes.
Be determined to keep on learning.

17. PART III:
Issues & Risks LGBTQ
Students Face

18. ● Homosexuality was removed as a psychiatric disorder from the
DSM in 1974
● Being LGBT does not mean you have a mental illness, although
there are many societal and internal stressors that may contribute to
depression, anxiety and other mental health symptoms
● Do not recommend therapy or counseling to a youth without
identifying the purpose, i.e. acceptance, coping skills, substance
abuse, etc
LGBTQ and Mental Health

19. ● Double stigma
● Shame
● Judgment
● Harassment
● Heterosexism
Issues LGBTQ Students face
● Homophobia
● Ostracism
● Rejection
● Exploitation
● Oppression

20. Risks at School

21. LGBTYouth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than
heterosexual youth.

22. Resiliency
Emotional and physical “survival skills”
Increased appreciation for family/community
Greater sense of personal insight/understanding
Courage
Strengths of LGBT Students

23. Need to be understood
Need to be supported
Need to be accepted for who they are
Need to feel safe and secure
Need to feel loved unconditionally
Need to feel whole as a person
Need opportunities to succeed
Need to find their voice
Need to know they are not alone
THESE NEEDS ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN THE NEEDS OF ALL HUMAN BEINGS
Common Needs for LGBT Students

24. PART IV:
Promoting Resiliency

25. 1. Understand the complex social structures that exist to
drive the Cycle of Privilege and Oppression.
2. Know who makes up the LGBTQ Community.
3. Examine your own beliefs.
4. Recognize the issues and risks that LGBTQ youth face.
5. Work towards LGBTQ Cultural Competency:
● Make yourself a visible member of the LGBTQ community or as an ally
● Don’t assume heterosexuality
● Use affirming & inclusive language
● Educate yourself about LGBTQ issues
● Explore ways to creatively integrate
WhatYOU Can do!

26. Stages of LGBTQ Cultural Competency
to Promote Resiliency

27. An inclusive climate is one in which all staff
and students feel valued and have the same
opportunities to achieve their academic
potential.
Developing an inclusive climate is about
identifying and proactively tackling any
barriers that might prevent groups of people
from being fully engaged or being able to
fulfill their academic potential.
What is an Inclusive Climate?

28. Be an ALLY!
1) Be VISIBLE
2) SUPPORT all students
3) RESPOND to anti-LGBTQ words/actions
4) LISTEN
5) LEARN more

30. Questions?