The Rainbow Health Educational Toolkit has been designed primarily for healthcare & social service providers in recognition that there is an enormous lack of resources and knowledge on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexuals, transgendered, Two-Spirited, intersexed, and queer (LGBTTTIQ) people’s health and wellness. While there has been advancements in the rights of LGBTTTIQ communities in Canada, there still remains many barriers and challenges to accessing healthcare information and resources that is rooted in heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. Without access to a supportive environment, individuals who identify as LGBTTTIQ can experience isolation, trauma, stress and decreased self-esteem. These factors can negatively affect many aspects of their lives including emotional, mental and physical health. The creation of this toolkit is one small step towards challenging the oppression and marginalization that LGBTTTIQ individuals encounter on a day-to-day basis. However, we recognize the need for increased education, advocacy and resources nationwide for the rights of LGBTTTIQ people.
The Rainbow Health Educational Toolkit was built upon the successes of RHN’s introductory level workshop “Diversity Awareness: Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity” which uses a social determinants of health approach to address issues of access to healthcare for LGBTTTIQ people. This workshop has been well received in hospitals, long-term care facilities for the elderly, cancer care agencies, and a local college of naturopathy. Through the presentation of this workshop, RHN has initiated important partnerships with local healthcare organizations.
The Rainbow Health Educational Toolkit is a flexible educational tool that can be offered to all workers receiving sensitivity training and diversity education in healthcare settings, including nurses, doctors, managers, reception, clerical, housekeeping and security staff. All of these staff potentially contribute to the inclusiveness of healthcare environments. While RHN’s educational work to date has directly targeted workers in healthcare settings, this toolkit can be expanded for use for social service providers and other settings. This toolkit is based on an anti-oppression framework and focuses on the barriers faced by members of LGBTTTIQ communities in accessing healthcare and social services. Using an interactive format, it offers healthcare and social service workers an opportunity to examine the attitudes, beliefs and social systems that support systemic barriers to access. Scenarios and stories reflect diverse experiences and situations as well as the realities of intersecting oppressions. A comprehensive handout section is provided to workshop participants, along with a glossary of terms, and lists of references and community resources.
A Note to Facilitators RHN recommends that only facilitators that identify as LGBTTTIQ and their allies lead training sessions. We encourage co-facilitation with at least one LGBTTTIQ facilitator.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Table of Contents
- Workshop #1: Diversity Awareness in Healthcare: Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity
- Workshop #2: Unlearning Homo/Bi/Transphobia
- Workshop #3: Trans Issues in Health
- Workshop #4: Intersections of Oppressions
- Workshop #5: How to Be an Ally Workshop Handouts Additional Tools for Organizational Change Facilitator Resources List of Resources References
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Toolkit Section 1 May 2009.pdf | 393.4 KB |
| Toolkit Section 2 May 2009.pdf | 1.04 MB |
| Toolkit Section 3 May 2009.pdf | 501.85 KB |
