Rainbow Health Ontario provides training and education to improve the accessibility and quality of health care services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities in Ontario. We offer a range of services to assist organizations and groups in developing cultural competency with regards to diverse LGBT communities, including:
• Conferences and Seminars
We participate in the delivery of conference workshops, keynote lectures or panel presentations that address LGBT health issues. We also participate as exhibitors at conferences, health fairs and community events where we provide informal education about our services and LGBT health issues.
• Classroom Presentations
We provide educational presentations on LGBT health issues to college and university students in health and social issue classes.
• Training Resources
The RHO Resource Database features a variety of LGBT health resources, including training manuals, curricula, clinical guidelines and other resources designed to educate health and social service providers. To search the database, please click here.
• Trainer Database
The RHO Trainer Database features profiles of independent trainers who provide LGBT education and training across Ontario. To find a trainer near you, please click here.
• CME Clinical Sessions
RHO offers 4 clinical sessions that meet the accreditation criteria of The College of Family Physicians of Canada. Each session has been accredited by the Ontario Chapter for up to 2.5 Mainpro-M1 credits. For more details, please click here.
• LGBT Training Sessions
RHO’s training and education sessions are designed to assist health care and social service providers in providing equitable and comprehensive services to LGBT people. These training sessions can be tailored and custom designed to different audiences including front-line staff, mental health workers, counselors, management or board directors and volunteers.
Rainbow Health Ontario encourages all participants to attend Introduction to LGBT and Health Needs as a prerequisite to other RHO trainings. The introductory workshop will provide a sound foundation to understand and grasp the terminology, complexity of barriers and challenges for LGBT persons to access comprehensive health care. The trainings are designed for staff and/or volunteers who work in community based organization, educational institutions, recreational, residential and health care facilities.
Fees: Most of the education and training sessions by RHO staff are offered on a cost recovery basis. RHO will request that the cost of photocopies, materials and travel be reimbursed. Independent trainers are paid as per training session.
RHO requires a minimum of 10 attendees at any training session. All training sessions are a minumum of 2 hours. We currently offer the following workshops:
1. Introduction to LGBT and Health Needs
The interactive workshop provides an overview of LGBT communities in North America and a global perspective. The session addresses the myths and stereotypes, history of LGBT communities, assumptions, exploring the differences between sexual behavior versus sexual orientation and health disparities affecting LGBT communities. The participants will explore various LGBT terms and definitions, case scenarios and the impact of homo/bi/trans phobia on health. Participants will learn of culturally competent practices and how to provide good care. Presented by Rainbow Health Ontario staff.
2. Introduction to LGBT Emotional and Mental Health
Canadian studies show that LGBT people report higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders, poorer self-perceived mental health status, and higher rates of lifetime suicidality relative to heterosexuals. Furthermore, there is evidence to show that substance use may be higher in LGBT communities, and that patterns of use are different. This workshop explores how social stigma and discrimination can affect LGBT people's mental and emotional health, including how external negative situations become internalized and how unhealthy coping strategies can develop. Participants will also learn about practical and psychological supports that can protect the individual and promote resilience. Presentation, interactive exercises and case studies will provide participants with evidence-based learning, new strategies and skills. This workshop is for health and social service professionals; it is not focused on psychotherapy practice. Presented by Rainbow Health Ontario staff.
3. The Joy of Gender
The Joy of Gender is a lively and thought-provoking workshop that prepares service providers to understand and embrace work with trans people. Transgender experience is presented as an ordinary, if unusual, aspect of human diversity. Participants will gain an appreciation of the historical and cross-cultural contexts of trans people's lives as well as current international efforts by trans communities as they reach for visibility, human rights, and access to health care on their own terms. Presented by an independent trainer.
4. LGBT Seniors and Health Needs
The workshop explores the impact of aging and LGBT. The session addresses their challenges growing up in an era when it was criminal to be LGBT, the experiences of LGBT seniors navigating the health care system and the lack of sensitive services for senior LGBT. Participants will learn of the societal factors that impact LGBT seniors and how to improve services, provide sensitive and competent health care to the invisible population. Explore the steps to create an LGBT-positive environment in long-term care homes for seniors. Presented by Rainbow Health Ontario staff and independent trainers.
5. Bisexuality and Bisexual Health Issues
This interactive workshop provides an overview of the unique issues, needs and experiences of bisexual people - including myths and stereotypes, the impact of biphobia, relationship dynamics, and health disparities. The session aims to build the knowledge and capacity of health care and social service providers to offer inclusive and appropriate services for bisexual clients. There is also a full day training option available in which participants receive detailed instruction and materials on Sherbourne Health Centre’s “The B Side: Exploring Bisexuality” group model to enable them to offer this type of support and educational group in their community. Presented by an independent trainer.
6. Removing the Barriers: Making your Organization LGBT-Positive
The workshop uses an anti-oppression/anti-racism framework to examine the process of developing organizational sensitivity and responsiveness to diverse LGBT communities. The session addresses creating a positive and welcoming work environment for both LGBT staff and clients. The interactive workshop will explore various strategies such as specific programs, HR policies, community consultation and LGBT representation in organizations. The workshop will address steps at board level, management, front-line to volunteer levels to provide and deliver equitable services and access for LGBT communities. Presented by Rainbow Health Ontario staff.
7. Transition in the Workplace
This workshop explores the process and procedure for organizations when a staff is transitioning in the workplace. The session will assist agencies create inclusive spaces and policies for trans persons in their work environment. The interactive session includes: introduction to terminology, exploration of the gender binary system and its limitations; myths and assumptions; tools and tips for allies such as use of proper pronouns, as well as to address transphobia in the workplace. Participants will learn evidence based information on the impact of discrimination on trans people’s health and methods to create policies and practices that fosters a positive work environment. Presented by Rainbow Health Ontario staff.
8. Understanding Cultural Competency within an LGBT Framework
In this workshop you will be introduced to various concepts and applications of anti oppression and cultural competency, within an LGBT framework. The workshop will focus on identity and acceptance, both internal and external to the LGBT community, as well as pertinent issues related to offering and accessing services. Participants will gain an understanding of how LGBT issues fit within larger societal frameworks and structures, as well as within their organization’s model of service delivery. Presented by an independent trainer.
9. Providing Services for LGBT Youth
The interactive workshop examines healthy sexuality and creating safe spaces for queer and trans youth. The session addresses sexual identity, sexual development, identities and attractions, the coming out process and issues experienced by LGBT youth. The session further explores the numerous challenges of LGBT youth such as intersections of oppression; exploitation, homelessness, harassment, school bullying, violence, peer-pressure and vulnerability. Participants will learn of various tools for providing services for youth and community links to resources developed for youth by youth. Presented by Supporting Our Youth staff. http://www.soytoronto.org/
10. The Relationship Game (for Service Providers) is a tool that facilitates communication with young people of any and all sexual and gender identities to identify and explore power imbalances in relationships. It strengthens the capacity of service providers in assisting youth in making more informed relationship choices for improved sexual and emotional health. Using various scenarios in both individual reflection and large group discussion formats, it enables young people to identify areas of concern, build self-awareness, increase negotiation skills, explore options, and strengthen their emotional vocabulary. Presented by Supporting Our Youth staff. http://www.soytoronto.org/
11. The Relationship Game (for youth groups) is a tool that facilitates communication with young people of any and all sexual and gender identities to identify and explore power imbalances in relationships. Participation in the Game strengthens the capacity of young people to make more informed relationship choices for improved sexual and emotional health. Using various scenarios in both individual reflection and large group discussion format, it enables young people to identify areas of concern, build self-awareness, increase negotiation skills, explore options, and strengthen their emotional vocabulary. Presented by Supporting Our Youth staff. http://www.soytoronto.org/
12. LGBT newcomers
LGBT newcomers, immigrants and refugees face many barriers to access services. Community programs and service providers often are not aware of the complexities that come with multiple levels of social oppression associated with the various identities carried by LGBT newcomers. Through our work with young newcomers - who are often facing homophobia, transphobia and racism while living in poverty - we are able to help build a more elaborate understanding of the barriers to health, wellbeing and social inclusion that this population faces on a daily basis. Presented by Supporting Our Youth staff. http://www.soytoronto.org/
13. Queering the Family Tree: Welcoming LGBTQ Families
This workshop explores the question: What does it mean to be an LGBTQ-positive service provider to LGBTQ families? The interactive presentation addresses some of the commonly-held negative ideas about LGBTQ people raising children; offers some interesting findings from recent research on LGBTQ parenting; and some practical suggestions for service providers interested in making their programs and services more accessible and welcoming to LGBTQ families. Key to this workshop’s success is a comfortable and open environment where participants are free to ask lots of questions. Workshops can be custom-designed, and have been offered to practitioners and students in health care, social work, education, supervised visitation, family resource programs, and midwifery. Presented by LGBTQ Parenting Network staff. http://www.lgbtqparentingconnection.ca.
14. Workshops for Adoption/Foster Care Workers and/or Foster Parents
Workshop content is similar to “Queering the Family Tree” workshop (see above), with special emphasis on the results of a research project conducted in partnership with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. The study, “LGBTTT Adoption in Ontario: Policy, Practice & Personal Narratives,” surveyed adoption agencies in Ontario about their policies and procedures related to LGBTQ adoption and interviewed 43 LGBTQ adoptive parents. The workshop addresses both positive and negative experiences with the adoption system, and emphasizes practical strategies for adoption/foster care workers and foster parents who are interested in creating a more welcoming environment for LGBTQ families. Presented by LGBTQ Parenting Network staff. http://www.lgbtqparentingconnection.ca.
15. LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer) Training for Fertility Clinics and Sperm Banks
Specifically designed for fertility clinics and sperm banks and informed by years of experience working with LGBTQ people accessing assisted human reproduction (AHR) services, trainings include definitions and language; history and social context of LGBTQ family creation; commonly-held negative ideas about LGBTQ parenting; recent research on children growing up in LGBTQ families; examples of how homophobia, transphobia and heterosexism play out in AHR services; issues for LGBTQ people in relation to the Assisted Human Reproduction Act; practical suggestions for making AHR services more accessible and welcoming to LGBTQ families, including trans clients; information about local services and programs for LGBTQ families. Presented by LGBTQ Parenting Network staff. http://www.lgbtqparentingconnection.ca.
16. Workshops for LGBTQ Parents and Prospective Parents
Workshops can be custom-designed depending on needs and interests of participants. All workshops explore practical, emotional, social and legal issues related to LGBTQ parenting. Workshops for prospective parents can include issues of entitlement to parent, how to “talk back” to commonly-held negative ideas about LGBTQ parenting; fertility awareness, insemination options and procedures, parenting arrangements, co-parenting, adoption and fostering, surrogacy, birth options, legal issues and more. Workshops for LGBTQ parents who had children within heterosexual contexts can include coming out to children, parenting arrangements, negotiating with ex-partners, step and/or co-parenting, blended families, and more. Presented by LGBTQ Parenting Network staff. http://www.lgbtqparentingconnection.ca
17. Reading, Writing & Resilience: Queer Spawn Speak Out About Schools
Based on the results of a research study that asked queer spawn (children with LGBTQ parents) about their experiences at school, this presentation explores how homophobia/heterosexism/transphobia manifest in schools and discusses ideas and strategies for achieving more inclusive and welcoming school environments. This workshop is of interest to parents, teachers, prospective parents and teachers, early childhood educators, family resource program workers, education administrators and, of course, queer spawn! Presented by LGBTQ Parenting Network staff. http://www.lgbtqparentingconnection.ca
18. Classroom Presentations
The LGBTQ Parenting Network provides workshops, lectures, keynote addresses and panel presentations on LGBTQ parenting issues to college and university students. We have spoken in programs including gender and sexuality studies, sociology/anthropology, history, political science, criminology, law, midwifery, medicine, nursing and family studies. Presented by LGBTQ Parenting Network staff. http://www.lgbtqparentingconnection.ca
19. LGBT Issues in Social Service Work - Trends, Challenges and Solutions
This workshop will introduce participants to key elements of LGBT positive social service delivery. Drawing on current research and trends, the facilitator will discuss concepts and theoretical frameworks of identity, assessment and intake tools, construction of language, becoming an ally, disclosure, and cultural orientations of agencies. Participants will gain a new understanding of the challenges and assumptions inherent in the client / worker relationship. Presented by an independent trainer.
For more information on training sessions or to request a training:
If you have questions on training and education, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions and to download the Request a Training Form click here.
For all training enquiries contact Education Coordinator, Devan Nambiar at, dnambiar@rainbowhealthontario.ca or 416-324-4100 ext. 5262
