Supporting and Affirming LGBTQ+ Youth

Building Trust and Breaking Down Barriers

When it comes to LGBTQ+ youth, being able to support and affirm their identities can be lifesaving work, and it starts with understanding the fundamentals. This workshop provides youth-serving professionals with essential knowledge and practical strategies to create spaces where LGBTQ+ youth feel truly seen, valued, and cared for. You'll gain clarity on key terminology, learn the differences between gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation, and understand how to use affirming pronouns with confidence and care. This workshop also goes beyond definitions to explore both interpersonal and organizational approaches that make a real difference in young people's lives. Through interactive discussions and concrete examples, you'll develop skills for using inclusive language authentically and implementing strategies that signal safety and affirmation. Whether you work in schools, healthcare settings, or community-based settings, you'll walk away with the tools and confidence to show up as a trusted, affirming adult for the LGBTQ+ youth in your community.

Learning Objectives

As a result of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Define key terms related to gender identity, gender expression, sex assigned at birth, and sexual/romantic orientation and explain the distinctions between these concepts

• Practice proper pronoun usage and describe why using affirming pronouns are essential to supporting LGBTQ+ youth identities

• Use inclusive language authentically when working with all young people, including LGBTQ+ youth

• Apply at least three interpersonal and organizational strategies for creating affirming environments where LGBTQ+ youth feel seen, valued, and safe