The Diversity Center offers a wide variety of trainings to help educate and sensitize teams on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE). Among our presenters are medical providers, mental health professionals, and policy experts.
We enjoy working with community organizations, nonprofits, businesses, and schools to tailor trainings to meet specific needs. A 1.5-hour educational session or panel starts at $375. Additional development costs may apply for customized content to meet specific educational goals. We also offer discounted training packages for multiple workshops. Our goal is to make LGBTQ+ cultural awareness workshops accessible to the community—please reach out if cost is a barrier.
For more information, email TDC’s Manager of OUTreach here.
Our Training Offerings
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Length: 1.5 Hours
Intended audience: Community based organization or business leaders
Workshop Description: In a community that values diversity and inclusion, understanding and respecting Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression (SOGIE) is essential. This workshop is designed to provide participants with the knowledge, awareness, and tools necessary to foster inclusivity and respect for individuals with diverse SOGIE. Throughout the session, participants will engage in interactive activities, discussions, and Q&A sessions to deepen their understanding and apply their knowledge.
Workshop Objectives:
1. Increase familiarity with Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression (SOGIE) identities and terminology.
2. Examine individual Gender Expression and Promote Inclusive Language
3. Introduction to respectful communication and pronoun usage
4. Learn about myths and misconceptions that result in creating non-affirming environments for staff and clients.
5. Learn how to create a brave space where staff and clients can feel safe being their authentic selves
6. Collect a feedback survey to continuously improve workshop content.
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Length: 1.5 Hours
Intended audience: Community based organization or business leaders
Workshop Description: In this interactive workshop, participants will explore the concepts of unconscious bias and microaggressions with a particular emphasis on their impact within LGBTQ+ and diverse communities. Through a combination of educational content, personal reflection, and group discussions, attendees will gain a deeper
understanding of how these subtle yet pervasive issues manifest in everyday interactions.
Workshop Objectives:
1. Define unconscious bias and microaggressions through real life examples
2. Explore the intersectionality of biases and how multiple identities (such as race, gender, and sexual orientation) compound these experiences.
3. Reflect on personal biases and experiences with microaggressions in a safe and supportive environment.
4. Recognize different forms of microaggressions and how they impact others. 5. Develop strategies to address and reduce unconscious bias and microaggressions in personal and professional settings.
6. Collect a feedback survey to continuously improve workshop content.
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Length: 1.5 Hours
Intended audience: Community based organization or business leaders
Workshop Description: In today's diverse workplace, creating an inclusive environment where every team member feels valued and affirmed is essential for enhancing productivity and overall well-being. This engaging and interactive workshop aims to equip participants with the knowledge, tools, and skills to cultivate a truly inclusive work culture. Attendees will gain valuable insights into ableism and the discrimination faced by BIPOC and LGBTQ+ community members, empowering them to foster a more supportive and equitable community.
Workshop Objectives:
1. Understand the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the workplace and its impact on team dynamics and productivity.
2. Gain insight about the unique challenges faced by diverse individuals in professional settings.
3. Explore best practices for creating an affirming team where unique perspectives are valued and celebrated.
4. Discover visual tools that promote organizational inclusivity.
5. Develop practical strategies to foster a culture of acceptance, respect, and inclusivity.
6. Collect a feedback survey to continuously improve workshop content.
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Length: 1-1.5 Hours
Intended audience: Community based organization or business leaders
Panel Description: This interactive training will provide participants with tools to identify and embrace their personal values. Our values change based on our life experiences and when we make new connections. Participants will also have the opportunity to explore the behaviors that support their values and examine the habits that prevent them from putting their values into action in the workplace. Identifying personal values is an important part of the journey towards well-being, belonging and authenticity
Training Objectives:
1. Explore origins of our core values and how they shape our daily life.
2. Guide participants through creative exercises and reflective discussions to help them identify and articulate their core personal values.
3. Create a values compass and identify your personal core values.
4. Provide participants with an opportunity to think about how they can bring their core values into the workplace while inspiring their co-workers to do the same.
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Length: 1.5 Hours
Intended audience: Community-based organization or business leaders
Workshop Description: Creating a respectful and inclusive team starts with understanding and honoring each individual's identity. This interactive workshop is designed to help participants build a more respectful and supportive environment through the correct use of pronouns and other inclusive practices.
Workshop Objectives:
1. Understand the importance of pronouns and their role in affirming identity and fostering respect.
2. Gain insight into the experiences of individuals who use diverse pronouns.
3. Learn best practices for using and normalizing pronouns in the workplace.
4. Develop practical skills for correcting mistakes and supporting colleagues in using inclusive language.
5. Practice using diverse pronouns in a non-judgement setting.
6. Collect a feedback survey to continuously improve workshop content.
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Length: 1.5 Hours
Intended audience: Community based organization or business leaders
Workshop Description: This engaging workshop is designed to empower participants with the skills and confidence to act as effective allies and proactive bystanders, creating a more supportive and inclusive community.
Workshop Objectives:
1. Increase knowledge of LGBTQ+ history in Santa Cruz County and beyond
2. Understand the concepts of allyship and bystander intervention and their significance in promoting inclusivity and respect.
3. Recognize the impact of passive bystanding versus active intervention in various scenarios.
4. Learn how to create a brave space where people can feel safe being their authentic selves
5. Develop skills for safely and confidently intervening in situations of harassment, discrimination, or bias and share a personal Allyship Commitment
6. Collect a feedback survey to continuously improve workshop content.
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Length: 1-1.5 Hours
Intended audience: Community-based organization, school, or business leaders
Panel Description: Triangle Speaker Panels aim to foster appreciation for intersectionality, inclusion, gender diversity, and authenticity. Triangle Speakers increase empathy and educate through personal storytelling. Each panel consists of 5-6 speakers, who share a 3-5 minute personal story. The panel moderator facilitates a Q&A session, allowing participants to engage directly with panelists. Triangle Speakers present information about LGBTQ+ people in a non-threatening, non-judgmental atmosphere.
Triangle Speakers Panel Objectives:
1. Provide positive representation of LGBTQ+ people and ally role models.
2. Educate the community about what it means to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, transgender, asexual, two-spirit, and allies of LGBTQ+ people
3. Dispel myths and stereotypes about LGBTQ+ people to build understanding and acceptance through open and honest dialogue.
4. Work toward a holistic understanding of intersectionality and how multiple identities influence our lived experiences.
5. Curate and safe and respectful dialogue where participants can ask individual or group questions.
6. Collect a feedback survey to continuously improve program content.
“I was blown away by the organization, flow, relevance, sparkle, and presence in the room. This training was brilliant.”