This course was created and provided by the Virtual Center of Excellence (VCE), a former project of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN). Content and format will be updated in the near future to address current accessibility standards. If you are unable to access the content in this section, please contact the imp support team for assistance.

This training will address the need for understanding the different cultural aspects of gender identity and sexual expression in children and youth including current best practices for when and how to talk about gender identity and sexual orientation issues. Specifics will include the basic understanding of terms such as transgender, DSD (Disordered Sexual Development), intersex, asexual, pansexual, gender queer, Two-Spirit, gay, lesbian, bisexual and questioning. Participants will be given resources they can readily use in their practice/groups/classrooms including a Bibliography, glossary, videos they can access from the web, and national web sites with updated information. This would be appropriate for NBCC, CMHP, QMHP.

Gender Identity and Classifications.

This course has been designed to provide direct care workers with additional information regarding the classifications and various identities within the GLTQQAi2S community. This course will also provide a brief historical overview of the orgin of the classifications and information into the specific identities. 

Sexual Identity vs. Sexual Orientation. 

The course expert has created this course to discuss an area that is very important to address. With many clients, sexual identity (GLTQQAi2S) is very different and separate from their sexual orientation. It is important to understand these differences when communicating with clients that are members of this community. 

Community Challenges and Your Clients. 

Participants of this course will learn that this community constantly deals with additional challenges and outside stressors that may affect their treatment. This course will provide some examples and evidence-based best practices for working with clients that are experiencing a more difficult treatment due to these related challenges. 

• Understanding the terms and classifications with GLBTQQAi2S.
• Understanding the difference between sexual orientation and sexual identity.
• Understanding the additional stresses and challenges that this community may be facing when working with your client.