Afternoon Workshop II Selections

Session 13

Understanding the Help-Seeking Behaviors of Black, Gender & Sexual

Minority Women
Presented by: DeShay Thomas, Arizona State University
Session Track: Beginners
Session Abstract

The purpose of this workshop is to discuss the intersection of race, gender, sexuality and health as it
relates to black GSMW (Gender & Sexual Minority Women) people. The first half of this workshop will
review common health concerns and how black GSMW tend to address their health. To achieve this
goal, the presenter will focus the discussion around key barriers that impact the black GSMW
community and the role of culture in the help-seeking process. Secondly, the presenter will discuss the
qualitative study tentatively titled, Black Sexual Minority Women & Help-Seeking, which seeks to
address disparities in service utilization and to understand how culture influences the process of seeking
formal and informal help. The next part of the workshop will address interventions that buffer the
adverse effect of the many barriers that continue to low service utilization; specifically, the interventions
that are geared toward increasing the cultural competency and sensitivity of the physical and mental
health practitioner.

Afternoon Workshop II Selections

Session 14
Celebrate, Investigate, Advocate: Findings from the University of
Arizona LGBTQA+ Needs Assessment
Presented by: Peggy Glider, Ph.D., University of Arizona Campus Health Service
Patricia Manning, University of Arizona Campus Health Service
Session Track: Beginners
Session Abstract

Beginning in the fall semester 2013, a group at the University of Arizona (UA) representing LGBTQ
Affairs, Campus Health Service and Residence Life developed a needs assessment to collect data
regarding campus culture and climate, health and wellness, UA policies, programs, services and
curriculum related to awareness and support of those who identify as LGBTQA+. This needs assessment
was administered online in April/May of 2014 through multiple listservs on campus and in the Tucson
community that were likely to be read by those who identify as LGBTQA+. The data from this survey will
be used to help strengthen the UA as an institution and the lives of those in the UA community
(regardless of how they identify, their gender or sexual orientation).
This presentation will focus preliminary on highlights from this survey (we will be analyzing this survey in
more depth over the coming months) and will discuss implications for the UA campus community and
beyond. The data provide numerous possibilities for experiential programming to increase
understanding, invite empathy, and encourage bystander interventions for LGBTQA+ populations.
Presenter Bios
Peggy Glider, Ph.D. (Coordinating presenter) is the Coordinator for Evaluation and Research with the
University of Arizona Campus Health Service. She is the Principal Investigator of a five-year grant titled,
Prevention of substance abuse disorders in the high risk population of lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, queer (LGBTQ) young adults in Arizona, from which this needs assessment grew. Dr.
Glider also chairs the Arizona Institutions of Higher Education Network on Alcohol, Other Drug, Mental
Health and Violence Issues. She has been conducting prevention and intervention research for over 28
years, with 22 of those working in higher education. She represents Arizonas institutions of higher
education on the Substance Abuse Prevention Committee of Arizona, the Arizona Epidemiology
Workgroup for Substance Abuse and the Arizona Department of Health Services GSM/LGBTQ Advisory
Committee.
Patricia Manning (Co-presenter) is a Qualitative Evaluator with the University of Arizona Campus Health
Service. She has worked on a variety of research-action projects dedicated to assessing needs and
improving the health and well-being among diverse, often marginalized populations.

Afternoon Workshop II Selections

Session 15
Back into the Shadows: The Unheard Voices of the Older LGBT
Arizonan. Implications on Social and Emotional Health and Well-being
Presented By: Mandee Rowley, PhD, LPC, University of Phoenix
Rhea Christorhus, University of Phoenix
Susanne Sansonne, University of Phoenix
Session Track: Intermediate
Session Abstract

As the baby boomer generation continues to grow into the stage of retirement and their older years,
those involved research, practice and policy have started to take the necessary steps to ensure that the
needs of this population is adequately addressed. The growing number of people over the age of 60 who
identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer add a unique perspective to these needs.
The intent of this workshop is threefold:
(1) Provide critical information and build skills sets enabling human service and healthcare
professionals to create a welcoming environment to provide quality care to all clients regardless
of sexual orientation or age.
(2) Provide personal anecdotes that will break down the misconceptions and stereotypes about
this population.
(3) Assist in recognition of the unique challenges faced by LGBT seniors, and the trepidation one
might encounter when considering a human service/health care provider.
Attendees will walk away from the workshop with strategies to influence their work with the older
LGBTQ person living in Arizona and promote greater social and emotional health.

Afternoon Workshop II Selections

Session 16
LGBT Youth in Out-of-Home Care
Presented By: Michael Carr, Arizona Department of Child Safety
Session Track: Intermediate
Session Abstract

LGBT youth in out-of-home care do not fit into a one-size fits all approach. Out-of-home care is not just
a child welfare situation; it also involves youth in behavioral health placements. In the past, these
youth were often referred to as the invisible. These youth are no longer invisible, agencies who are
attempting to develop effective child welfare, and behavioral health services may be faced with moral
objections from its employees or board of directors. All young people in behavioral health placements
and state custody have a right to be safe in the institutions and facilities in which they are residing.
Agencies need to ensure that all staff members understand their legal obligations to protect LGBT youth
and provide therapeutically appropriate services.
The workshop will use storytelling vignettes from LGBT youth who have been involved in the system to
introduce the various barriers and systemic issues which will be discussed in the workshop.
By the end of the workshop, participants will have increased confidence and competence in discussing
sexual orientation and gender identity issues with adolescents and their families, and addressing these
issues in practice. Participants will be able to identify specific areas of risks, barriers, and protective
factors specific to LGBT youth, their families, and service delivery systems. Participants will develop an
action plan for immediate, short-term and long-term activities that will develop or enhance professional
and agency cultural competency and their service delivery system effectiveness.

Afternoon Workshop II Selections

Session 17
Being Poor is Expensive: LGBTQI, Poverty and Health
Presented by: Chad Mosher, Ph.D., Living Out Loud/CODAC Behavioral Health Services
Session Track: Advanced
Session Abstract

The title of this presentation is paraphrased from the author and activist James Baldwin. LGBTQI poverty
is not often discussed within academic or social justice circles; however, LGBTQI individuals are many
times more likely to live in poverty, not access financial support or public assistance, and unlikely to
report their concerns to professionals; exponentially true for LGBTQI people of color and/or linguistic
minorities. Arizona contains some of the most impoverished communities within the United States, yet
LGBTQI realities are often marginalized within economic reports and survey results. The purpose of this
presentation is to highlight the impact of poverty on the intersectional LGBTQI identities, as well as
provide a strategy for economic empowerment.
Strategies include creating programming specific to queer economic empowerment that focuses on
accessing jobs and careers as well as the creation of alternative economic methods (e.g., small
businesses). The health concerns of LGBQTI individuals living in poverty will be presented and discussed,
including disparate rates of smoking, nutritional deficiencies, and behavioral health concerns. A holistic
approach to conceptualizing the intervening will be taken, within a culturally responsive and social
justice-oriented model.

Presenter Bio
Chad M. Mosher, Ph.D., is currently Program Coordinator of Living Out Loud, an LGBTQI Health and
Wellness Center in Tucson. He received his doctorate in counseling psychology from The University of
Memphis in 2006, having specialized in LGBTQI psychology and multicultural counseling competence. He
has lived in Tucson for over 10 years. He has published works on coming-out concerns and identity
formation, LGBTQI care, masculinity among gay male subcultures, and sex-positivity in psychology.

Afternoon Workshop II Selections

Session 18
A Question of Faith
Presented by: Davin Franklin-Hicks, La Frontera Arizona, United Church of Christ
Sarah Jean Herndon, La Frontera Arizona
Session Track: Advanced
Session Abstract

Access to familiar paths of faith development and communities devoted to faith practice are often
removed and/or blocked from a person once they come out (or are outed) as a Gender and Sexual
Minority. Individuals who have a desire to lead honest, authentic lives often cite fear of negative
response from faith communities as a primary reason that prevents them from coming out at an earlier
time. Additionally, individuals who experience a negative response from their communities have higher
rates of depression, substance abuse and suicidal ideation (Family Acceptance Project and ML
Hatzenbuehler). This workshop aims to discuss the impact of shunning practices within faith and seeks
to explore ways for Gender and Sexual Minorities to reclaim faith practices and a sense of agency in
their spiritual lives.
Using Fowlers Stages of Faith Development and Cass Identity Model, participants will consider the
intersections of the coming out process and faith development across life spans. Additionally, helpers
will have the opportunity to explore the unique strengths and challenges of discussing a persons faith
and spirituality openly in a helping relationship. What are the barriers that exist for a person who has
been told they are not loved or accepted by the God of their understanding? What are the ways in
which individuals have continued in their faith and spiritual development post rejection from their faith
community or faith leaders? How does a helper reconcile their own beliefs and remain open and
impartial when discussing faith from the helpees perspective? What are practical ways a helper can
come alongside an individual as they wrestle and reconcile their own questions of faith?