10 Free Resources For LGBTQ+ Education And Inclusion
Educate yourself and those around you with these free workshops and webinars.
Now, more than ever, it is crucial to raise awareness and educate others about the social and systemic challenges facing the queer community. If you, your organization, your classroom, or your workplace is in need of conversations that center the experiences of queer people, here is a list of resources that facilitate or freely provide educational webinars, sensitivity and ally training workshops, and effective practices around LGBTQIA+ inclusion.
Related: Utah Governor Bans Transgender Students From Dorms Matching Their Gender Identity
PFLAG NYC
PFLAG NYC is a family-based organization committed to celebrating LGBTQIA+ young people. PFLAG aims to increase understanding and acceptance of LGBTQIA+ people by serving NYC families, schools, and communities. The “Safe Schools Program” is an educational speaking and outreach program for teachers, parents, administrators, school staff, and students to eliminate hate, bias, and discrimination in the classroom. The program trains faculty and staff on approaching LGBTQIA+ issues, teaches proper allyship, and supports LGBTQIA+ students in understanding their sexual orientation and gender identity. PFLAG offers classroom student presentations for grades 6-12 and 1-5 and professional development workshops for educators of all grades. Visit their page to get more information on bringing the program to your school.
Welcoming Schools
HRC Foundation’s “Welcoming Schools” program provides schools or districts with certified facilitators to improve school climate using gender and LGBTQIA+ inclusive training. The program offers comprehensive training modules, lesson plans, book lists, and resources to prevent bias-based bullying in schools, help transgender and non-binary students thrive, and create classrooms that welcome all families. The program takes an intersectional, anti-racist approach dedicated to actionable practices and policies. Visit their page to find a list of training modules available for LGBTQ+ and gender-inclusive professional development and request training for your school.
Queer Education Foundation
The Queer Education Foundation offers diversity and inclusion training on intersectional bias with a focus on 2SLGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. The team provides comprehensive workshops, facilitated panel discussions, and client consulting packages. Workshops include “2SLGBTQ Foundations,” “Trans and Non-Binary Foundations,” “Unconscious Bias 101,” “Queer Current Events,” “Indigenous Learning 101,” “100 Years of Drag History,” and many more. Book a panel or workshop session with the Queer Education Foundation to bring important conversations to your organization, community, or group.
Related: Behold The Spectacular Incompetence Of The Government’s Stonewall Fumble
AMA Ed Hub
American Medical Association (AMA) Ed Hub is an online learning platform for physicians and other medical professionals designed to support lifelong learning. AMA Ed Hub addresses difficulties faced by the LGBTQIA+ community while seeking healthcare, including finding knowledgeable and affirming doctors. AMA Ed Hub provides a curated CME course that offers a wide overview of the spectrum of sexual orientation and gender identity. These courses are designed for medical professionals who seek to expand their knowledge of LGBTQIA+ health. Visit their page to find a variety of courses under categories like “Comprehensive Insights into Sexual Orientation and Gender Identities for Physicians,” “Navigating Prevention and Management of Infectious Diseases,” and “Affirming Medical & Surgical Care for the Transgender Community.”
National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center
The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center within the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) offers educational programs, resources, and consultations for healthcare organizations that prioritize quality, cost-effective health care for LGBTQIA+ people. The Education Center provides over 80 on-demand webinars with a wide range of LGBTQIA+ topics. The center recommends starting with the webinar “Achieving Health Equity for LGBTQIA+ People (2020),” which highlights the relationship between stigma and LGBTQIA+ health disparities and more.
Mazzoni Center
The Mazzoni Center offers quality comprehensive health and wellness services catered to an LGBTQIA+ environment. The center provides LGBTQIA+ professional development workshops which are available as private sessions for organizations. In-person workshops are available for 25-35 participants and live virtual workshops are offered to 100-500 participants. Current topics include “Sex, Gender, and Sexuality 101,” “Gender-Affirming Language,” “Supporting Queer and Trans Youth,” and “Trauma-Informed Care.” Visit their page to find an extensive list of courses offered and request a specific workshop.
Related: Department of Education Pushes to Erase Records And Awards Set By Trans Athletes
Safe Zone Project
The Safe Zone Project offers free online resources that provide activities, resources, and curricula, for educators and learners who want to explore concepts of sexuality, gender, and general LGBTQ+ education. Their activities page has resources for educators wanting to incorporate queer education into their classroom, including lessons on “Demystifying Coming Out,” “Genderbread Person,” “Coming Out Story,” and “Core Vocabulary.” You can also find a free self-guided 2-hour curriculum that introduces core concepts of marginalized sexualities and genders.
Equality Institute
The Equality Institute offers a variety of workshops relating to DEI including “Intersectional Allyship in Action,” “An Introduction to Juneteenth,” “How to Navigate the Fluid Boundaries of Gender,” and “An Intersectional Exploration of LGBTQ+ History.”The program is available as interactive, virtual presentations, or online workshops. Visit their page to find the catalog of workshops offered, and contact Equality Institute to put a date on hold.
Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network
GLSEN is a national network of educators, students, and local GLSEN chapters working towards creating safe, supportive, and LGBTQ+ inclusive education. Visit their site to find the GLSEN guide on developing LGBTQ+-inclusive classroom resources. You can also find an extensive list of webinars on topics like “LGBTQ+ Advocacy in Special Education,” “Supporting LGBTQ+ Students of Color” and “LGBTQ-Inclusive Sex Education.”
LGBT Network
LGBT Network is a non-profit organization that is “a home and a voice” to LGBTQIA+ families and their support systems. LGBT Network offers education and training programs to thousands of schools, healthcare providers, workplace professionals, government personnel, and school staff. Visit their programs and services page for general information about their training programs and services and their calendar for upcoming events, workshops, and services.
