Module 4, How to be an LGBTQ+ Ally

This module does exactly what it says on the tin! It’ll give you a great foundation to understand common language within LGBTQ+ communities, an awareness of inequalities that LGBTQ+ people experience within society, healthcare, and at work as well as insight into equality legislation relating to LGBTQ+ people in a national and global context. This module is ideal if you have little or no experience with LGBTQ+ people but want to feel more confident in conversations, understanding the law and sources of support for LGBTQ+ people.

Demonstrating leadership doesn’t require you to have a particular job title or position. You can be a leader by demonstrating and exemplifying principles of inclusion, awareness and integration of marginalised people. This module will equip you with an awareness of how to be an LGBTQ+ leader and advocate at home, work and in your local community.

Trans, non-binary, genderfluid and genderqueer, Have you heard these words before but felt too nervous to ask ‘what does that mean?’ Have you been unsure about where to get a clear explanation? This module will build upon the basics in module one and go into greater detail about trans status, gender identities and expression. You will gain an insight into legislation relating to gender and some of the challenges experienced by trans and non-binary people. This module is useful those wanting to support a trans or non-binary friend, family member or colleague or upskill their knowledge for a professional context.

Asking questions can be scary, especially if you’re unsure about the right words to use or worried about making mistakes. This module will help you feel more confident in asking for someone’s pronouns and teach you what to do if you do make a mistake. You’ll also learn how to recognise and challenge homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia. This module is especially helpful for supporting someone who is “coming out” as LGBTQ+, embracing their identity with hope and joy.

LGBTQ+ people experience a number of increased health risks, such as poor mental health and poorer access to health services, compared to the general population. Despite this being well documented, LGBTQ+ people still face a number of systemic barriers when accessing services. This module will outline LGBTQ+ health inequalities and explain concepts of equity vs. equality, structural inequality and accessibility. Government research and case studies are used throughout this module to illustrate the challenges that LGBTQ+ people experience and possible sources of support and signposting for LGBTQ+ people.

LGBT people and communities are not homogeneous. They comprise of people from different ethnicities, faiths, abilities, ages and walks of life. This module explores how multiple strands of someone’s identity, such as being a Black lesbian woman, can affect your experiences including access to community support. This module will elaborate on the Equality Act 2010, explaining protected characteristics, the theory of intersectionality and the basics of minority stress. You’ll learn how to confidently discuss barriers faced by LGBT people with multiple minority identities and the importance of targeted spaces for minority groups.

Did you know that 68% of LGBTQ+ people don’t feel safe holding hands with a same-gender partner in public for fear of discrimination? This module will discuss how discrimination takes place, addressing unconscious bias and the impact of minority stress on the health, wellbeing and safety of LGBTQ+ people. This module will enable you to recognise discrimination (both explicit and implicit) and feel more confident in challenging it. You’ll also be empowered with a range of signposting information to support LGBTQ+ people who have experienced discrimination, minority stress and hate crime.

Have you ever been asked your sexual orientation or gender identity on a registration form? Have you wondered why this information is collected, how it’s used and why it’s relevant? This module will answer all of those questions. In addition, it will provide recommendations for phrasing questions around sexual orientation, gender identity and trans status in line with NHS information standards and best practice guidelines. This module is particularly useful for organisations and professionals who want to implement inclusive monitoring questions and suggestions for how this information could be used to improve your practice or services.

You might think that your workplace is already inclusive, but look around. Do you see posters, signposting and facilities that are inclusive of all people? If you identified as LGBTQ+, would there be anything to indicate that the environment you’re working in is safe and supportive of your needs? This module will give you an awareness of how to make your workplace inclusive, ideas for adaption and an understanding of barriers that LGBTQ+ people may currently experience in the workplace, including discussing inclusive updates to policies and recruitment practices.