In recognition of Pride, Switchboard has compiled this resource round-up. It includes materials designed for organizations and case managers serving LGBTQI+ clients, including how to create welcoming environments, ensure use of inclusive language, and address the unique needs of this population.
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- National Newcomer Navigation Network (N4): Immigrant and Refugee Services for SOGIE Diverse Newcomers (LGBTQ2S+ Services) (2021): This webinar recording describes key programmatic factors and data related to LGBTQ+ clients that can be replicated in organizations across Canada. To access the recording, you need to create an N4 account and login.
- Organization for Refuge, Asylum, and Migration (ORAM), Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression (SOGIE) Toolkit (2020): This toolkit contains several resources, including:
- Sexual and Gender Minority Refugees Safe Space Checklist: This checklist can be used by your organization to ensure office practices and environment, documents, training etc. are safe and open for LGBTQI+ clients.
- Enhancing Protection of Sexual & Gender Minority Beneficiaries and Staff in Organizational Codes of Conduct: This document provides a behavioral rulebook and an ethical compass for modern aid organizations, with focus on the particular needs and sensitivities of sexual and gender minorities (“SGMs”).
- Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression: Essential Terminology for the Humanitarian Sector: This five-language dictionary, glossary, and usage guide aims to help humanitarian professionals communicate effectively and respectfully with and about people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. It is available in Arabic, English, Farsi, French, and Turkish.
- “You are Safe Here” Pins and Posters: These materials can be printed and displayed by staff and in offices to indicate that it is a safe space for LGBTQI+ clients.
- HIAS, In Search of Safety: LGBTQ+ Refugee Protection and HIAS (2020): This webinar recording discusses the unique needs and vulnerabilities of this population, and how HIAS and its U.S. and international partners have stepped up to advocate for the human rights of LGBTQI+ clients and provide lifesaving support.
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- ORAM and TENT Partnership for Refugees, How Companies can Mentor LGTBQ Refugees (2020): This guidebook is intended to provide companies with guidance on how to establish and implement professional mentorship programs for LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers. It includes how to set up a mentorship program, training materials for mentors, and resources for four mentor-mentee meetings.
- Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI): Positive Spaces Starter Kit (2014): This toolkit contains five fact sheets and five stories drawn from interviews with LGBTQ+ newcomers, staff and allies.
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- Heartland Alliance, LGBT Refugee Resettlement Guidelines and Agency Self-Assessment (2013): This tool serves as a set of guidelines for resettlement agencies to use for determining which of their affiliates are best suited to accept LGBTQI+ refugees for placement; and as an agency self-assessment to help refugee programs identify strengths and challenges that they may face when resettling LGBTQI+ refugees.
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- Heartland Alliance, A Rainbow Retrospective: Reflecting on Best Practices and Successes from the Field (2013): This guide includes information on creating safe spaces, forming community, collaborating with external partners, case management services, housing, employment, leveraging support from LGBTQI+ communities, and engaging communities of faith.
