Hosted on June 25, 2024, the training was delivered by Rob Callus, Switchboard Training Officer; Max Niedzwiecki, consultant for the Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) Rainbow Initiative, visiting scholar at Clark University, and an anthropologist; Anita Fábos, PhD, anthropologist; Al Green, Ministry Director of the LGBT Asylum Task Force at Hadwen Park Congregational Church, UCC, and Karin Ferraz, Program Officer at the Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange (CORE).
“Welcoming” and “belonging” are important concepts in all resettlement contexts, but they may emerge as particularly significant for LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning) newcomers and those who serve them. Cultivating inclusive environments for newcomers in the LGBTQ+ community can serve as an essential catalyst for fostering not just successful community integration, but genuine empowerment and interconnectedness. This webinar will explore and address the multifaceted challenges and opportunities associated with fostering inclusivity for LGBTQ+ individuals in newcomer services contexts. Speakers will discuss vital considerations for both policy and practice aimed at safeguarding and supporting clients, staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders in the LGBTQ+ community. Participants will learn best practices for communication strategies, confidentiality considerations, and the nuances of belonging for LGBTQ+ newcomers within their families, ethnic communities, and new local communities.
By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:
– Recognize how creating LGBTQ+-friendly spaces and implementing inclusive policies contribute to cultivating a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ newcomers and everyone involved in supporting them
– Use an intersectional lens to examine the cultural and interpersonal dynamics of welcoming LGBTQ+ newcomers
– Apply actionable strategies to support LGBTQ+ newcomers in your own client services context
