Afternoon Workshop II Selections Session 13

Understanding the Help-Seeking Behaviors of Black, Gender & Sexual Minority Women

Presented by: DeShay Thomas, Arizona State University Session Track: Beginners Session Abstract The purpose of this workshop is to discuss the intersection of race, gender, sexuality and health as it relates to black GSMW (Gender & Sexual Minority Women) people. The first half of this workshop will review common health concerns and how black GSMW tend to address their health. To achieve this goal, the presenter will focus the discussion around key barriers that impact the black GSMW community and the role of culture in the help-seeking process. Secondly, the presenter will discuss the qualitative study tentatively titled, Black Sexual Minority Women & Help-Seeking, which seeks to address disparities in service utilization and to understand how culture influences the process of seeking formal and informal help. The next part of the workshop will address interventions that buffer the adverse effect of the many barriers that continue to low service utilization; specifically, the interventions that are geared toward increasing the cultural competency and sensitivity of the physical and mental health practitioner.

Afternoon Workshop II Selections

Session 14 Celebrate, Investigate, Advocate: Findings from the University of

Arizona LGBTQA+ Needs Assessment Presented by: Peggy Glider, Ph.D., University of Arizona Campus Health Service Patricia Manning, University of Arizona Campus Health Service

Session Track: Beginners Session Abstract Beginning in the fall semester 2013, a group at the University of Arizona (UA) representing LGBTQ Affairs, Campus Health Service and Residence Life developed a needs assessment to collect data regarding campus culture and climate, health and wellness, UA policies, programs, services and curriculum related to awareness and support of those who identify as LGBTQA+. This needs assessment was administered online in April/May of 2014 through multiple listservs on campus and in the Tucson community that were likely to be read by those who identify as LGBTQA+. The data from this survey will be used to help strengthen the UA as an institution and the lives of those in the UA community (regardless of how they identify, their gender or sexual orientation). This presentation will focus preliminary on highlights from this survey (we will be analyzing this survey in more depth over the coming months) and will discuss implications for the UA campus community and beyond. The data provide numerous possibilities for experiential programming to increase understanding, invite empathy, and encourage bystander interventions for LGBTQA+ populations. Presenter Bios Peggy Glider, Ph.D. (Coordinating presenter) is the Coordinator for Evaluation and Research with the University of Arizona Campus Health Service. She is the Principal Investigator of a five-year grant titled, Prevention of substance abuse disorders in the high risk population of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) young adults in Arizona, from which this needs assessment grew. Dr. Glider also chairs the Arizona Institutions of Higher Education Network on Alcohol, Other Drug, Mental Health and Violence Issues. She has been conducting prevention and intervention research for over 28 years, with 22 of those working in higher education. She represents Arizonas institutions of higher education on the Substance Abuse Prevention Committee of Arizona, the Arizona Epidemiology Workgroup for Substance Abuse and the Arizona Department of Health Services GSM/LGBTQ Advisory Committee. Patricia Manning (Co-presenter) is a Qualitative Evaluator with the University of Arizona Campus Health Service. She has worked on a variety of research-action projects dedicated to assessing needs and improving the health and well-being among diverse, often marginalized populations.

Afternoon Workshop II Selections

Session 15 Back into the Shadows: The Unheard Voices of the Older LGBT

Arizonan. Implications on Social and Emotional Health and Well-being

Presented By: Mandee Rowley, PhD, LPC, University of Phoenix Rhea Christorhus, University of Phoenix Susanne Sansonne, University of Phoenix

Session Track: Intermediate Session Abstract As the baby boomer generation continues to grow into the stage of retirement and their older years, those involved research, practice and policy have started to take the necessary steps to ensure that the needs of this population is adequately addressed. The growing number of people over the age of 60 who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer add a unique perspective to these needs. The intent of this workshop is threefold:

(1) Provide critical information and build skills sets enabling human service and healthcare professionals to create a welcoming environment to provide quality care to all clients regardless of sexual orientation or age. (2) Provide personal anecdotes that will break down the misconceptions and stereotypes about this population. (3) Assist in recognition of the unique challenges faced by LGBT seniors, and the trepidation one might encounter when considering a human service/health care provider.

Attendees will walk away from the workshop with strategies to influence their work with the older LGBTQ person living in Arizona and promote greater social and emotional health.

Afternoon Workshop II Selections

Session 16 LGBT Youth in Out-of-Home Care

Presented By: Michael Carr, Arizona Department of Child Safety Session Track: Intermediate Session Abstract LGBT youth in out-of-home care do not fit into a one-size fits all approach. Out-of-home care is not just a child welfare situation; it also involves youth in behavioral health placements. In the past, these youth were often referred to as the invisible. These youth are no longer invisible, agencies who are attempting to develop effective child welfare, and behavioral health services may be faced with moral objections from its employees or board of directors. All young people in behavioral health placements and state custody have a right to be safe in the institutions and facilities in which they are residing. Agencies need to ensure that all staff members understand their legal obligations to protect LGBT youth and provide therapeutically appropriate services. The workshop will use storytelling vignettes from LGBT youth who have been involved in the system to introduce the various barriers and systemic issues which will be discussed in the workshop. By the end of the workshop, participants will have increased confidence and competence in discussing sexual orientation and gender identity issues with adolescents and their families, and addressing these issues in practice. Participants will be able to identify specific areas of risks, barriers, and protective factors specific to LGBT youth, their families, and service delivery systems. Participants will develop an action plan for immediate, short-term and long-term activities that will develop or enhance professional and agency cultural competency and their service delivery system effectiveness.

Afternoon Workshop II Selections

Session 17 Being Poor is Expensive: LGBTQI, Poverty and Health

Presented by: Chad Mosher, Ph.D., Living Out Loud/CODAC Behavioral Health Services Session Track: Advanced Session Abstract The title of this presentation is paraphrased from the author and activist James Baldwin. LGBTQI poverty is not often discussed within academic or social justice circles; however, LGBTQI individuals are many times more likely to live in poverty, not access financial support or public assistance, and unlikely to report their concerns to professionals; exponentially true for LGBTQI people of color and/or linguistic minorities. Arizona contains some of the most impoverished communities within the United States, yet LGBTQI realities are often marginalized within economic reports and survey results. The purpose of this presentation is to highlight the impact of poverty on the intersectional LGBTQI identities, as well as provide a strategy for economic empowerment. Strategies include creating programming specific to queer economic empowerment that focuses on accessing jobs and careers as well as the creation of alternative economic methods (e.g., small businesses). The health concerns of LGBQTI individuals living in poverty will be presented and discussed, including disparate rates of smoking, nutritional deficiencies, and behavioral health concerns. A holistic approach to conceptualizing the intervening will be taken, within a culturally responsive and social justice-oriented model. Presenter Bio Chad M. Mosher, Ph.D., is currently Program Coordinator of Living Out Loud, an LGBTQI Health and Wellness Center in Tucson. He received his doctorate in counseling psychology from The University of Memphis in 2006, having specialized in LGBTQI psychology and multicultural counseling competence. He has lived in Tucson for over 10 years. He has published works on coming-out concerns and identity formation, LGBTQI care, masculinity among gay male subcultures, and sex-positivity in psychology.

Afternoon Workshop II Selections

Session 18 A Question of Faith

Presented by: Davin Franklin-Hicks, La Frontera Arizona, United Church of Christ Sarah Jean Herndon, La Frontera Arizona Session Track: Advanced Session Abstract Access to familiar paths of faith development and communities devoted to faith practice are often removed and/or blocked from a person once they come out (or are outed) as a Gender and Sexual Minority. Individuals who have a desire to lead honest, authentic lives often cite fear of negative response from faith communities as a primary reason that prevents them from coming out at an earlier time. Additionally, individuals who experience a negative response from their communities have higher rates of depression, substance abuse and suicidal ideation (Family Acceptance Project and ML Hatzenbuehler). This workshop aims to discuss the impact of shunning practices within faith and seeks to explore ways for Gender and Sexual Minorities to reclaim faith practices and a sense of agency in their spiritual lives. Using Fowlers Stages of Faith Development and Cass Identity Model, participants will consider the intersections of the coming out process and faith development across life spans. Additionally, helpers will have the opportunity to explore the unique strengths and challenges of discussing a persons faith and spirituality openly in a helping relationship. What are the barriers that exist for a person who has been told they are not loved or accepted by the God of their understanding? What are the ways in which individuals have continued in their faith and spiritual development post rejection from their faith community or faith leaders? How does a helper reconcile their own beliefs and remain open and impartial when discussing faith from the helpees perspective? What are practical ways a helper can come alongside an individual as they wrestle and reconcile their own questions of faith?

Afternoon Workshop II SelectionsPresented by: DeShay Thomas, Arizona State UniversitySession Track: BeginnersSession AbstractAfternoon Workshop II SelectionsSession 14Presented by: Peggy Glider, Ph.D., University of Arizona Campus Health ServiceSession Track: BeginnersSession AbstractPresenter BiosAfternoon Workshop II SelectionsSession 15Presented By: Mandee Rowley, PhD, LPC, University of PhoenixSession Track: IntermediateSession AbstractAfternoon Workshop II SelectionsSession 16Presented By: Michael Carr, Arizona Department of Child SafetySession Track: IntermediateSession AbstractAfternoon Workshop II SelectionsSession 17Presented by: Chad Mosher, Ph.D., Living Out Loud/CODAC Behavioral Health ServicesSession Track: AdvancedSession AbstractPresenter BioAfternoon Workshop II SelectionsSession 18Presented by: Davin Franklin-Hicks, La Frontera Arizona, United Church of ChristSession Track: AdvancedSession Abstract