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April 26 session timely due to need for deeper, wider understanding

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The PAL Coalition in April is sponsoring an “Introduction to the LGBTQ+ Community,” a conversation on topics and issues that affect individuals and communities that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (and/or questioning) – LGBTQ+.

The conversation is noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, in the Community Room of Metro United Way, 334 E. Broadway, in downtown Louisville.

“These are critical issues right now,” said Tomy Molloy, director of the PAL Coalition, a collaborative effort involving neighborhoods, clergy, schools, healthcare, and others to reduce youth substance abuse in Park Hill, Algonquin and Old Louisville.

The coalition is an initiative of Family & Children’s Place.

“With the conversations and controversies going on in the courts, in Congress, and in state legislatures, issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community are front and center. The goal of the April 26 conversation is to very openly and honestly discuss the issues, the challenges and to help create a safe zone for future conversations and in the community,” said Molloy.

Speakers are Kinton Rossman and Clare Gervasi, of TSTAR – Trans Sexuality Teaching, Advocacy, and Research, which teaches about gender and sexual diversity, advocates for sexual and gender minorities and researches gender identity and expression within the broad context of mental health and psychology.

The session will focus on understanding the identities, concerns, and considerations specific to the LGBTQ+ community.

The training will encourage participants to reflect on how gender and sexuality operate in their own lives as well as on a societal level, and how cultural norms shape the LGBTQ+ community.

The goal is that by the end of the discussion, participants will understand some of the broad concerns of the LGBTQ+ community and take away a toolkit of resources for culturally responsive practices to serve this community in their own lives.

 

 

LGBTQ+ Conversation

Noon to 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Community Room, Metro United Way
334 E. Broadway, downtown Louisville