Pride month lunch and learns june 2013, ranjith kulatilake

Ranjith Kulatilake Community Health Worker – LGBTQ+ Newcomer Initiatives

June 17, 2013

Accessing Alliances for

LGBTQ+ Newcomers

Life

Sunlight

Spirit

Serenity/ Harmony

Nature

Healing

What is in this Rainbow?

What is Pride… to You?

From the very beginning, Pride has been connected to a sense of place.

J.P. Larocque, X-tra June 11, 2013

Identity

Diversity Power Politics Celebration

Joy

Fullness

Fun

Acceptance

Human Rights

Struggles

Inclusiveness

Justice

Love Happiness Visibility

Equality

Dignity Peace

Resistance

Unity

Differences

Pride means that LGBTQ+ people should not keep the fact of their sexuality secret

and that they should be proud of it instead. Cambridge Dictionary (online, 6/16/2013)

Confidence Freedom

Coming Out Being an Ally

Achievements

Sharing

Questioning

Listening

Courage

Sense of Community

Pride for LGBTQ + Newcomers? – A Reality Check

Source: bbc.co.uk (6/16, 2013)

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association - 2013


Source: ILGA World, 5/9/ 2013

Homosexuality is illegal in 91 countries, punishable by death penalty in 7 countries: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Nigeria, Mauritania, Sudan and Yemen.


Racism

Classism

Heterosexism

Xenophobia

Homo/Bi/Transphobia

Immigration Status

Social Isolation

Impact on Health Outcomes Adapted from Among Friends Training Module, Access Alliance

Pride vs. Realities of LGBTQ+ Newcomers

• Dealing with sexuality being in Canada -> Finding support in the Canadian LGBTQ communities -> Not finding newcomer positive services

• Queerness often not the first and only thing on agenda -> Need same support as other newcomers

• Lack of overall LGBTQ positive services

Adapted from Among Friends Training Module, Access Alliance


• Different channels of arrival -> Impacting health and wellbeing

• Understanding of Canada as a safe heaven for LGBTQ -> Feeling of shock when that does not materialize

• Belief of lack of support from communities of origin -> Protecting themselves from others finding out



• Often facing persecution in home country -> Increase

challenges in learning and retention of language

• Interpreter anxiety -> Not communicating/ being able to

communicate legal/medical/personal information

• Often sent to Church street to meet new people ->

Different levels of awareness about STIs and HIV/AID

• Lack of access to meaningful employment and volunteer

opportunities -> increase isolation and decrease civil

participation


Q: So, can you identify an LGBTQ+

Newcomer?

A: Can you identify a Straight

Newcomer?

• I don’t know any lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or queer clients.

• Usually I can ‘spot’ a lesbian, a gay man or a trans- person,

• But there aren’t any LGBTQ clients I can see.

• Being lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans is abnormal and unnatural.

• I don’t know how to help LGBTQ clients.



Forming Alliances… some Tips

• Do not assume

• Do NOT stereotype

• Do not ask: ‘Are you married?’, ‘Do you have family/ children back home?’, ‘Are you on birth control pills?’

• No there is nothing ‘sensitive’ about being LGBTQ+ . It’s not a sensitive issue.

• Confront your own assumptions, phobias

Forming Alliances… some Tips

• Be welcoming, empathetic

• Be the first to introduce yourself: as an LGBTQ+ Ally

• Provide info on the services available for LGBTQ newcomers

• Assure confidentiality, the right to be who you are, AA policy, the existence of legal protections

• Let the clients talk, be an ‘active listener’

• Create and sustain a comfortable, positive space

• Do ask, ‘How can I be of help to you?’

Let’s share some of (y)our experiences with LGBTQ Clients and/ or Participants

Thank you!

Pride month lunch and learns june 2013, ranjith kulatilake

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Transcript of Pride month lunch and learns june 2013, ranjith kulatilake