LGTB Health Matters
This resource was developed for healthcare professionals as well as social service providers to address the insufficient resources and education materials relating to the LGBT community's diverse health needs. The material may be used as a whole or may be divided and used as 4 separate modules. Each module uses a range of tools to aid social service providers and health care professionals providing an increased understanding of the LGBT community and their experiences with the health care system and social services sector. The material found in this document focuses on the impact exclusion from society and social systems has on the LGBT community in relation to health and well being. Furthermore, this resource examines what needs to be done to address as well as correct this issue.
Module 1 - Introduction to Heterosexism and LGBT-phobia and Their Impact on the Health and Well-being of the Lesbian, Gay, Trans, Bisexual, Populations
Since the late 1970's, there has been rising awareness and inclusion
of LGBT people into the western world. In Canada specifically, this
recognition has ranged from the decriminalization of homosexuality to
identification of equality under the Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms.
Gay men have been recognized in popular media such as film and
television considerably more than lesbian, bisexual, & two-spirit
individuals. This has two major implications; firstly, this leads to a
stereotyped image of gay men which leads people to believe they have
an increased knowledge of gay issues, which may not be representative.
Secondly the limited portrayal of lesbian, bisexual and transsexual
individuals in the popular media has quite possibly led to decreased
comfort as well as little knowledge surrounding this population.
The goal of this module is to gain familiarity with general LGBT
issues as well as how these issues relate to the health and well being
of LGBT individuals. This module will use various mediums to convey
every day experiences of the LGBT population which will provide an
improved understanding of LGBT experiences. Furthermore, this document
addresses the ways in which service providers can adapt their practice
to become inclusive and supportive of all sexual orientations.
Learning Outcome: Upon completion of this module, learners will
demonstrate knowledge of the impact of LGBT-phobia on individuals,
communities and groups.
Learning Objectives
- Awareness will be developed of issues related to homophobia and heterosexism and the impact it has on the individual, community, societal levels;;
- Knowledge of common terms;
- Participants will be able to critically examine and reflect on their own beliefs, attitudes and values;
- Participants will gain knowledge of factors which promote and hinder healthy growth and development unique to the LGBT lifespan.
Module Two - Understanding LGBT Diversity and the Factors which Determine LGBT Health and Well being
Module two looks specifically at the variety of health and illness
factors through the context of a LGBT person. This module considers
the diversity within the LGBT community and the ways in which certain
circumstances interrelate with sexual orientation and gender identity.
This module examines health determinants such as income, housing and
social support using the World Health Organization's (WHO) Social
Determinants of Health as well as Health Canada's Determinants of
Health and Social Determinants of Health as a framework.
Learning Outcome: Participants will be able to identify the diversity
within the queer community. After completing this module, learners
will have an understanding of the determinants of LGBT health
including those which oppress them.
Learning Objectives
- Participants will develop an understanding of the diversity which is present within the LGBT community;
- Potential oppressors and impacting factors which intersect with sexual orientation and/or gender identity to determine the health and well being of individuals and communities will be able to be identified;
- Participants will develop knowledge surrounding health determinants and how they affect LGBT health;
- After completing this module, participants will be able to do planning and assessment which considers the many issues which influence the health and wellbeing of LGBT people at the individual, community and societal levels.
Module 3 - Delivering Accessible and Inclusive Health and Social Services to LGBT Individuals, Families and Communities
This module will offer the health and social service providers with a
more in depth understanding of the experiences of LGBT individuals and
how this may be related to LGBT wellness. Participants will engage in
a detailed discussion on factors specific to the LGBT community as
well as particular matters surrounding health.
Learning Outcomes: Learners will relate their knowledge and training
as health care professionals to provide quality and fair health care
services to the LGBT community.
Learning Objectives
- Participants will become familiar with culturally identifying characteristics of LGBT life experiences such as language and roles;
- Participants will begin to understand the importance of events and symbols particular to the LGBT community and the context they may be used in while providing services;
- Participants will acquire basic knowledge of unique health issues relating to lesbian gay, bisexual, transsexual and two-spirited groups;
- Through greater awareness of specific customs practices unique to the LGBT community, learners will enhance their abilities in working with this population.
Module 4 - The health and Social Service Provider as an Advocate for LGBT Inclusion
This module is intended to aid health and social service providers in
exploring their role in enabling, justifying or hindering practices
which exclude LGTB people in their practice. There is attention placed
on systemic change, highlighting the importance of the need for change
in heterosexist policies, education, advocacy, as well as behavioral
and attitudinal changes. The service provider must be aware of these
changes and how they can impact the relationship each individual or
organization has a role to play no matter how big or small.
Module four also highlights issues surrounding community involvement
and the contribution of LGTB populations in the health and social
service sectors. LGTB communities have effectively self-advocated for
all of their rights. The service sectors need to recognize the LGBT
community's potential and work with them to develop services which
more adequately reflect the needs of LGBT people.
Health and social service providers are significant change agents who
have considerable power and resources. When these resources are used
appropriately, they have the ability to make a difference in the
health outcome of LGTB people.
Learning Objectives: Participants will take a critical look at
accessibility to health resources specific to the LGTB population in
order to support self-directed learning and advocacy for structural
change.
Learning Outcomes
- By combating the impact of heterosexism and LGTB-phobia, participants will gain an understanding of their roles in providing health and social services which are more LGTB-accessible.
- Participants will increase their practical capabilities and knowledge of how they can influence change to generate increased LGTB inclusion in their work as well as service delivery.